I have a science teacher that doesn’t know much English (in an English speaking school) and doesn’t know how to teach us. She often snaps at the smallest things, such as a desk shifted a little off the row. When she tries teaching us the subject, she doesn’t explain it to us and instead just hands out textbooks and has us read it. After we read on the topic, she has each of us go over the topic in our own words. She often agrees with students that have it mistaken, and instead of correcting them, goes along with it. She has many favorites and tends to pick on a certain number of students. She types our tests, and they usually have many spelling/grammar mistakes. Many questions are hard to understand, and when we ask for clarification, she tells us “you should have studied.” The material she teaches us covers only half of the test, so many of us rely on guesswork for our schoolwork and homework. Once, I tried to tell her that I don’t understand the topic in the textbook, in which she responded with a flip of her hair and said, “It’s not my fault you’re not smart.” I have tried learning on Khan Academy, and it is helping slightly, but she moves on from a topic very quickly. Our school tends to have a couple of teachers like this but she is the absolute worst. My parents are blaming my bad grades on me, and I don’t know what to do.
Hi! Considering this is a Independent School thread, not sure if your situation is totally applicable, but let me give you some advice.
We all had to go through *bad teachers. At this point, its honestly best that you find a group of like-minded individuals and form a little study session to go over topics you do not quite understand. If you tell me that there are none, and everyone simply does not care, then you are not looking hard enough.
Are you considering applying to independent schools? I would say that one huge benefit is that you are surrounded by academically driven teachers and students, but during your interviews, you CAN NOT BLAME ANYONE other than yourself. Interviewers don’t like excuses. However, during your interview, you could say something like, “Hey I was struggling in science class, but I took the initiative to find a group of friends, study together, and I passed.”
As for your parents, I understand. I have been in the same situation, but in the end, you have more control of situations than you initially believe.
Best.
Reveal the school and specific subject (no individual instructor names). This happens in college/university math & science courses occasionally. Teaching is important as it is the primary function of secondary schools.