<p>A month into high school this year, I had my schedule redone due to extenuating circumstances. As a result, I was transferred to a different (same level) French class that uses a different books and has a different curriculum. </p>
<p>During the first week of my new class, my new teacher told me to order a specific workbook from my school's online bookstore. The bookstore did not have it in neither new nor used (and probably wouldn't have it until next fall). So, I requested a new book through Amazon - and long story short I received it two weeks later. In the meantime, I asked my teacher if I could use her extra copy; she told me to Xerox sections from one of my classmates. (Ever time I visited or emailed her for help in the class or to figure out my makeup work, she blew me off, so I figured I should not ask for more support with the book.) The classmates that I had asked said that they had already written in the sections, so that would not help me... My teacher deducted points from my grade for all the homework assignments in the workbook I could not show her. When I confronted her, she told me that the workbook was 'my problem.'</p>
<p>Later in the semester, my teacher assigned an essay that covers material from when I wasn't in the class in a format that the class already knew. She did put up an example of the format on the overhead and some tense conjugations on the board when I asked her, but she had a disrespectful demeanor when I asked her questions about it and kind of misled me. When i got my essay I was flabbergasted that she gave me a 0; I put my level best French work in two pages. She said that the format I used was not the one she wanted. I think should have at least been given a chance to redeem myself or at least some points because I did turn something in. </p>
<p>And as I have said before, she did nothing to help me out with makeup work. NOTHING. As a matter of fact she told me to not worry about past assignments because she did not even have the notes anymore. (Ok, but I actually want to learn French...) </p>
<p>Anyway, I have also noticed she graded more than subjectively on two of my quizzes. When I got those tests back, I noticed that she has marked answers on my exams incorrect, despite being correct and my classmates getting credit for the similar answers as mine. </p>
<p>I want to be holistic; moreover, I want to know if others think that this is something I should confront my teacher or my gc about. I don't want to come under fire with what might be libel; however, I also do not want to meek at unfairness - if this is unfairness, it will be cataclysmal in its consequences to my grade.</p>
<p>That’s unfair. The way I see it, simply put, that is unfair. It seems you’ve tried talking to the teacher herself, maybe try talking to your gc about it for advice. Be true to your word, but don’t flame the teacher. </p>
<p>Try to talk to your GC. If all else fails then get your parents involved. Most teachers I know want to help their students learn, so I don’t why your teacher is being unreasonable. Of course, we only have your side of story.</p>
<p>If everything you’ve posted is true, it sounds like your teacher is the problem. That said, in your shoes, I would have copied the workbook pages and used white-out to go through the exercises.</p>
<p>I don’t know how different your answers were from those of your friends, it’s possible that the grading while harsher than necessary, was basically okay. </p>
<p>I think going to the gc and then, if necessary, getting your parents involved is your best bet at this point.</p>
<p>"… I want to know if others think that this is something I should confront my teacher or my gc about."</p>
<p>‘Confront’ is probably the wrong word. Lets suppose everything you said about the teachers behavior is accurate. At least she has prepared you for the attitude you will get if you ever visit Paris. JK. Where you want to come from is “how can I get a good grade in this course”- that is where you need to come from, not disputing any minor points over if you could have gotten the workbook sooner, or should you have known the essay format. Those a re profitless discussions. </p>
<p>This is probably a discussion you want to have with either the head of the French department or the head of the Language department. If your school isnt big enough to have those then you should meet with the Academic VP or Dean of Studies. If you want to have the GC involved in the meeting, thats fine but they arent really a decision maker here. </p>
<p>In bringing this problem to them you want to have a solution in mind. I’d suggest that given how much confusion, misunderstanding and contention, whoever is at fault, there seems to be between you and this French teacher, that your position is that you be given some chance to recover your grade. Propose that you finish out the semester in this class but then take the other French teachers exam and maybe do an extra credit project for her and that your grade for the class be entirely based on that. </p>
<p>You present a problem but you dont require them to get down in the weeds and try to assess blame. And you give them a solution that should be a minor accommodation for the school to make. Yeah they will probably go off and poke at it to get some more details from the original teacher, but I’d bet they will allow you to test in the other class, which is probably the most you can hope for with out a complete donnybrook.</p>
<p>The teacher is unfair. And I totally believe you because I had the exact same problem with I was in high school back in the dark ages. Get your parents on this because it can and will have far-reaching consequences for you as it did for me.</p>
<p>We are only hearing one side of this story. I know many teachers and none of them would ever antagonize a student in this manner. On the contrary, they are universally thrilled when students seek them out individually to discuss problems and issues. They all point out that no teacher enjoys giving low grades.</p>
<p>A number of statements in the OP suggest to me that what josh considers “discussion” might be more more accurately described as “confrontation and agitation”:<br>
-"I figured I should not ask for more support "
-“When I confronted her”
-“she did nothing to help me out with makeup work. NOTHING.”
-"I should confront my teacher "</p>
<p>I would definitely suggest getting an objective third party involved. It sounds like there is simply too much friction in the relationship right now.</p>
<p>Based on the factual statements made in the OP, I agree that the teacher sounds unfair. However, based on my expereience, there is more to this story.</p>
<p>“This is probably a discussion you want to have with either the head of the French department or the head of the Language department. If your school isnt big enough to have those then you should meet with the Academic VP or Dean of Studies. If you want to have the GC involved in the meeting, thats fine but they arent really a decision maker here.”</p>
<p>I was under the impression that this was a high school teacher. None of the high schools I know of have a “French department”, a “Head of the Language Department”, an “Academic VP”, or a “Dean of Studies”. the GC, would, in fact be the right person to aid in mediation.</p>
<p>This is what I would tell my daughter - you have the workbook now, go back to the beginning and complete all the worksheets whether you get credit or not, it will still help you learn the language. Ask the teacher if you can redo the quiz for credit - in the correct format. Get a good understanding from her of what the format is. Don’t compare your quiz to other students - ask the teacher why she marked certain things wrong. </p>
<p>As the student, it is your responsibility to be respectful of your teacher - not the other way around. Teachers are human too - they get frustrated too - it’s not her fault you came to the class one month into it. It’s your responsibility to get caught up, use your Christmas break to do so.</p>
<p>This rings true to me even though we’ve only heard one side. I’ve witnessed this sort of nonsense with every one of my kids at some point along the line. Yes, this teacher is being unfair and I agree with everyone else that it’s time to take it to a third party. I don’t know who that is at your school but it should be someone who has some sort of authority. I also agree that the way to manage it is to ask what’s necessary to do well in this class and highlight all that you’ve put into it rather than dispute the points lost per se. Ask another person to review the essay that earned you zero points. If it’s good, my guess is that the French teacher will have you revise it using the appropriate format and will give you the points back.</p>
<p>If necessary, involve your parents. High school kids are still kids and there comes a point when adults have to be involved.</p>
<p>Just checked 3 local high schools to me and they all have those titles represented. If yours, or OP’s, arent large enough to have those then he doesnt have to talk to them. GC isnt the first place to start since they have to authority to make the academic accommodation he wants.</p>
<p>I find it very strange that there would be a different curriculum and textbooks for a HS FL class. I’m assuming it’s a private school since OP has to buy his books, which generally means a small school and that makes it even more unusual that there would be a different curriculum. Our teachers bend over backwards to teach the same material with the same books, even if they are in different buildings.</p>
<p>Does your high school have a department head or academic dean? Someone whose job it is to oversee the department and coordinate the coursework? Before you get your parents involved, I’d talk to the administrator at your school who is in charge of the language department and present your case. He or she may suggest that you meet with your teacher together to come up with a way to make up your work and improve your grade. Or- the administrator may have another perspective. In any case, I’d start there. Find the adult in your school who helps students with academic problems, and make your case.</p>
<p>When you do this, be respectful. Make it clear that you have a problem that you need help with, without placing blame, if possible.</p>
<p>Most teachers are terrific, but there are plenty who are jaded and just punching the clock. The world has all kinds of people in it. Some I like, some I don’t. </p>
<p>Basically, this is unfair and inappropriate, get your parents involved.</p>
<p>OP, you are getting what is known as the “run around.” If you encounter a professor like this in college, drop the class if it is early enough to get away without a W.</p>
<p>In the meantime, you are going to need to get your parent involved. You have asked, tried and pleaded and tried some more. It’s time to bring in the tax or tuition payers.</p>
<p>Josh, maybe it’s me, but I find myself wondering if you are in fact presenting the whole story. </p>
<p>For instance, Amazon books rarely take 2 weeks to receive in my experience, even with standard shipping which is 3 - 5 business days. You talk about the teacher “blowing (you) off”, and having a “disrespectful demeanor.” How has your demeanor been with her? Could her calling the workbook “(your) problem” have anything to do with how long it took you to get it? </p>
<p>You said she put up an example of the format on the board. Why didn’t you use it?</p>
<p>And could the extenuating circumstances that caused the transfer have anything to do with this?</p>
<p>That said, perhaps the fault does lie with the teacher. It’s hard for us on cc to know.</p>
<p>At this point, I agree with the advice of PhotoOp and 3Girls3Cats. Respectfully ask what can be done to salvage your grade. It probably is necessary to involve a third party such as your gc at this point. Good luck.</p>