<p>Okay, I have to write a little bit about my current situation. It's about my IB History class. My teacher and I have different political views...and I am sure this happens a lot. But the thing is, his...uhhh...disapproval of my "side" is having a VERY NEGATIVE impact on my grade. He made participation points 28% of the FINAL GRADE...he marked me off so much that even though I have the highest test/homework grade in the class, I ended up with a B...He is extreme in his political beliefs and has this thing of always trying to debate me ON EVERYTHING. And it always ends up in him having a screaming session in class, and on many occasions, he just insults my political party and me when he runs out of things to talk about. I like debating, but I hate having random screaming sessions, esp. in school. And I certainly don't feel like this sort of political crossfire/assault should be happening in class. I always felt that when ppl of different politics/beliefs debate, they have to try to understand the other side, and just agree to disagree. And I don't feel like I should have to compromise my own political beliefs for a good grade... </p>
<p>Bottom line: He marked me off when I debated him, he marks me off now because I don't want to get in heated political arguments, so I keep quiet. History is MY FAV. SUBJECt...and one of my strongest. I am very tempted to transfer to an "independent study" of the subject (should I?), but am very scared that Penn (Huntsamn ED) might frown upon my sudden schedule change in my mid-year report. Plus, all of my friends are telling me to hang tough. So, should I write a letter attached to the midyear report to send to Penn explaning my situation(my counselor's his sister...btw...)? Even if I stay in the class, I want Penn to know that I am NOT getting seniorites, and my school has this terrible teacher...HELP!!!</p>
<p>Hi, Have you tried a one on one with techer. Maybe a private discussion about it will end all the classroom battles. Tell him that you should just agree to disagree and that you want to move on. I have to do that all the time with my own husband. I am liberal and he is conservative!</p>
<p>" So, should I write a letter attached to the midyear report to send to Penn explaning my situation(my counselor's his sister...btw...)? Even if I stay in the class, I want Penn to know that I am NOT getting seniorites, and my school has this terrible teacher...HELP!!!"</p>
<p>Do not do the above. You'll simply look like a whiner.</p>
<p>If Candace's suggestion doesn't work, then simply stop engaging in the arguments. Disengage from him. Find a way to participate by acknowledging the other side's views. You don't have to agree with those views to be able to talk about those views. </p>
<p>In addition, look for areas of common ground. You know you aren't going to change the teacher's mind, so find some way of being able to participate in the class without ticking him off our feeling that you're compromising your own beliefs.</p>
<p>But HE WON'T STOP trying to start the arguments with me...that's the biggest problem. Especially after he found out that I was personally involved w. the Kerry Campaign (was a field coordinator)...Do you think it would be ok for me to switch to Independent Study? He gave me a D in participation....yes...a D...I pay attention everyday, i do not disrupt the class ONE BIT, and I do great on all of the tests/assignments...Everyone in my class says he hates me...and, I really think he does. I've already stopped all the arguments, and he marks me off even more...<em>sigh</em></p>
<p>Catch-22,
You have to stop taking the bait. It is hard, but it is possible. I have several very opinionated people in my life, including my older son, that I have to do this with. I search long and hard for common ground, say a few words about the common ground, and then try hard to either not say anything else or to charmingly change the subject. With practice, I am getting better.</p>
<p>Give some examples of the things he want you to respond to and we parents probably can give more specific help.</p>
<p>Oh-- one last thing: If you literally mean that he is screaming at you in class to get his beliefs across, you need to have your parents go to the school and complain. That's bullying and is way out of line. Do not hesitate about involving your parents. </p>
<p>Bullies tend to only back down when they are met with a show of force -- such as their boss telling them to quit it. Don't blame yourself if he's getting out of control like that. Don't try to handle it yourself either. In general, I advocate for h.s. kids to do the negotiations with their teachers, but your situation would be an example of when to bring in the big guns: the parents.</p>
<p>Yes. He screams. And he does a lot of personal attacks...he called me a communist because I came to the US when I was 10 and am a democrat. </p>
<p>Example...oh...there're so many of them
1. One very scary example: he tried to tell the whole class that World War III is coming whether we like it or not. It's going to be the US against the middle east, and if we don't kill them, they'll kill us...yes...I am exaggerating, theses are words from his mouth. He said all muslims have this plan to kill us, and if we don't eliminate them first, we'll be eliminated. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Social Security: He says I have no right to have an opinion on how to fix America's social security system because I am from CHina, a country where a public saftety net is unheard of, therefore, I am not entitled to have an opinion on the subject. </p></li>
<li><p>He paraded the "Swift Boat Vet" thing in front of me, and literally said, in my face, that John Kerry was a coward. </p></li>
<li><p>He says that nobody in the class is entitled to an opinion on the Iraq war, because we've never fought in a war (he fought in desert storm). Then he tries to incite reponses from me by making fun of UN, making fun of the Democratic party, and..yea...me. he says that I am "unrealistic"...and oh...of course, "What else do you expect of a democrat"</p></li>
<li><p>We had this debate over the bush tax cut. And the last line he ended up with was, "I don't care if they are poor and dying, this is America." (not kidding you). </p></li>
<li><p>We had a debate over the power of the executive branch: declaration of war. He brought...you've guessed it, Monica Lewinsky into the mix, and somehow manage to connect the Iraq war w. Clinton's scandal. </p></li>
<li><p>He publicly insults the democratic politicians. He said that my governor (a dem...Napolitano) looks like a retard. And that democrats are the ones trying to marrry cats and dogs (not kidding you). </p></li>
</ol>
<p>Ooooo...there're so many things. I doubt parents, you will be able to help me with responses, because he is TOO EXTREME. His debate points cannot have "good" rebuttals because it's just his opinions...I hope I don't sound like a whiner, because I am not one to fret over a B I deserve. But the classroom situation is getting ridiculous. He basically lumped the whole muslim population into one huge terriorist organization...and so many personal attacks...</p>
<p>One last thing: He made fun of the Ivy league...he asked me where I was applying to, and I was like, "Penn and Chicago" (I know Chicago isn't an Ivy), and he was like, "Where all the liberal elites and their nonsense are...I didn't expect anymore or less from you"....</p>
<p>In my opinion, this teacher's behavior is not appropriate and I am not getting into his actual political viewpoints to which he is entitled. As a TEACHER, he should get discussion going between various viewpoints and ask those to be backed up and supported. But his view point should not prevail. In any case, earlier in the year you argued your viewpoint (which obviously is directly opposed to his own...um, can't blame ya but I say that as an aside) but that was not working and causing a great deal of conflict that was not healthy conflict.....as witnessed in these vignettes. So, you chose to keep quiet and disengage...can't say I blame ya. Now, he is penalizing you for keeping quiet and not participating. Yet his behavior toward you has been insulting and disrespectful and out right unprofessional. I know my child had a teacher who hated her last year and the teacher verified to me in a conference that she did not care for my daughter (yes....when I told her my D came home and said the teacher had told her that she "did not care for her as person" and the teacher said to me, "that's right"), and my child chose to disengage from this woman who was outright mean to her and every kid said she hated my daughter and went home and told their parents vignettes about what the teacher had said that day to my child. So, my D, like you, also chose to disengage and just "take it". The teacher told me not to worry that she did not like my child because she is still giving her an A-. Well, she was saying, look, I won't take it out on her grade...but then the final marking period and final exam.....which grades do not come out til a couple weeks into summer vacation....she gave her a grade WAY lower, thus bringing her entire grade avg. down. I don't think my D performed worse all of a sudden the last few weeks of school, hmm. I see something similar going on in your case except yours is more on political viewpoints (hers was not....was in Bio). I think you have tried one strategy...to disengage. While I think Northstarmom's initial suggestion of finding other ways to participate without truly arguing his points is a good one, I do not think it is going to work here because this teacher is out of line in his behavior based on the vignettes you shared. Kids, like yourself, are feeling insulted or afraid to speak or disagree. Kids are being indoctrinated to his views. Believe me, this teacher in my D's case took out on my D, her and her sister and parents' views to support a faculty member who the principal (this teacher's best bud) was trying to fire....and she posted signs in her room spelling out her viewpoints on the matter (very inappropriate) and told me in so many words that she was taking it all out on my D because our family (as well as hundreds in the community) attended a board meeting to support the GC who the principal tried to oust (follow up is that the GC stayed and the principal is the one who is out). So, I have seen unprofessional things like this go on, unfortunately. And I now see it in your vignettes above. </p>
<p>I think your parents need to have a conference with you, the teacher, and the department head present to discuss how you feel uncomfortable in the class to speak up....now your grade is lowered for lack of participation...you feel threatened to have opposing view points, and you feel uncomfortable with things he says (give examples) that demean you as a person. I think this should be discussed but another party must be present like a dept. head, or even principal. </p>
<p>Let us know what happens. The thing is....as bad as this is....unfortunately.....sometimes there are unfortunate things like this in school and you will be a better person to have gone through it even though I don't wish it on any kid. My child said to me, I am thankful I am such a self confident kid with high self esteem because many kids would be devastated by the things this teacher said to her, many in front of the class. But she saw it for what it was worth. I know you see it too. I am sorry you have to go through it. </p>
<p>Thanks a lot soovietz...I don't know whether I want to raise such a controversy. Esp. in my senior year. I am leaning toward a "self-study", but I do not know if Penn will approve of it. And I just re-read my post, and it should say, "I am NOT exaggerating". I've already had a conference w. him, and he just said "he wasn't feeling that I was participating enough...so suck it up"...he actually called up the conference (after my "disengagement stage"), and threatened to kick me out of his class and screw it all up for me during my college app process...ergh! I am thinking of calling the Huntsman director and ask her for advice? Should I? Thanks for all of the above parents' help...my parents don't understand the situation, they don't speak english, and just recently found out what the Huntsman Program of Penn was...so, as a result, I doubt I can get them to complain, and that's why I am here asking you guys for advice....</p>
<p>" think your parents need to have a conference with you, the teacher, and the department head present to discuss how you feel uncomfortable in the class to speak up....now your grade is lowered for lack of participation."</p>
<p>Hearing that your parents don't speak English well, and thus can't advocate effectively for you, indicates even more that the teacher is bullying a student whom the teacher fully realizes is defenseless.</p>
<p>Are there any students who have graduated who might be able to help you? I would guess that the teacher has picked on a student each year. Students and/or parents of graduated students may be able to advocate on your behalf. Another possibility would be parents of students who currently are in your class. </p>
<p>I truly wish you well. It's a very difficult situation for you to be in.</p>
<p>Are you close enough to your GC to be able to get advise on this situation? The GC also may be able to advocate with you. I do fear that if you describe the situation to the Huntsman program, they may think you're just a whiner because without backup from your GC, the college wouldn't know whether to believe you.</p>
<p>Is it possible for you to get permission to tape the class? That also could give you the proof that you need to go to the principal or another authority.</p>
<p>The more you tell me what this teacher has said to you, the more I am seething and you are not even my child. I now understand that your parents cannot get involved to advocate for you. Perhaps you can have another conference with the teacher and ask another adult to be present. I know that my child has asked her GC to sit in as a silent observer which makes her feel supported and someone else is witnessing this kind of dialogue (which I believe won't be as UNprofessional with a witness there). Obviously you can't ask your GC, HIS SISTER....;-(. Perhaps you can talk to a dept. head or principal or trusted adult in school and ask how to handle this situation. Do not whine so much about the grade itself but speak up about how you have felt attacked and uncomfortable in class. Even the comments about your college choices were insulting. Ask for advice from someone within the school how to handle it. I also think indep. study is a possibility but would try this other step first. If all else fails, you could grin and bear it, shut up (like my D did, just take it) and get through the rest of the year. Colleges only see midyear grades. A B is an OK grade particularly if you have run A's til now. Really , you will be fine grade-wise. I am more concerned about you having to live through his behaviors toward you. </p>
<p>My GC...is this man's sister...what if I called Huntsman, and I ask them if it would be ok to switch to an independent study, and if they ask why, I then explain to them? Well, he doesn't have a lot of haters because he gives everyone who agrees w. him good grades, and I think very few kids my age, esp. in my school, is very politically active and finds it necessary to defend his/her political beliefs. My friend from Pton (one of his fav. kids of ALL TIME...yes, my friend's a hardcore conservative) even says that this teacher is VERY SUBJECTIVE in his GRADING. He recently took off five points from my assignment because he did not agree with the article I did my assignment on...I typed the assignment up, and did a good job on it. Another student hand wrote his in pencil five minutes before class and got full marks (and so did everybody else).</p>
<p>Also, I think he is doing this deliberately to screw up my GPA. I am the val right now, but his favorite student of this year is one spot behind me, and my friends tell me that he personally advocates that his fav. kid is val...ergh. I think I will just have to shtick it through. Yea. I don't think Huntsman will retract their acceptance for a couple of Bs (i have a couple...i had a huge knee injury and was out of school for a month...would that be ok?), but I know I got an A in that class...and it's history, I love history.</p>
<p>Northstarmom...not sure you caught this but his GC is this teacher's sister!</p>
<p>Let me say that authorities in high up places are investigating the teacher about whom I spoke (none of which is at our initiation or only about our child). Still, having your child live through it is the kicker. I hope this young man can get an advocate but at least talk to a dept. head or principal because these vignettes reveal a LOT Of unprofessional bullying.</p>
<p>If you are already in at Penn, gettting a B in History is not the end of the world. To score some participation points, I'd offer a couple of innocuous observations (facts, not opinions) daily, stay out of the debates and tough it out.</p>
<p>If you are going to make a schedule change, make sure you check it with Penn. If they don't care if you switch. . .make the move.</p>
<p>You are already accepted??? Then do not worry. They are not going to retract your acceptance if you get Bs. In fact, they are not going to retract your acceptance, I highly doubt, if for second half of the year you take indep. study history for credit. At our school, an indep. study can be graded and supervised by a faculty member.</p>
<p>I actually argue w. a lot of facts (I...uhh...read an obscenely large amount of history/political/current event)...it's him that needs some facts. The whole history department, and all of my teachers knows about my situation. Everyone knows...I am thinking of just toughing it out till the end, I mean, it's just another life experience for me. I mean, I am sure I'll meet a lot of ppl w. different views and such in my life time, and maybe this will just be my HUGE challenge to learn how to deal w. ppl in general? So, I take it, Penn Huntsman would not care that much if I get As and Bs...if that is true, then I might seriously contemplate sticking it out...</p>
<p>Yes, I did not realize in earlier posts that you are already accepted. They are not going to rescind your admission if you get Bs, please do not worry. Like I told you, my D also toughed it out because no conferences made any difference. She was like you and saw through it and realized it was not about herself. Her grade reflected being penalized at the end of the year when we were not in school and we just let it go. Yes, life is going to involve people and times like this. Still, I hate seeing a kid treated this way or bullied and I find this teacher's behavior unprofessional. If you don't want to talk to an adult in the school such as a dept. head or principal and ask for advice of how to deal with this uncomfortable situation, don't. But it is worth a try though may not make the situation improve. At least someone else will know about it. That is a choice you have to make. I think for now, the grade problem, while troublesome at the unfairness of it, is not going to be a problem for you with college, particularly as you are accepted and it ain't like your are failing.</p>
<p>In many school systems, the amount of the grade that can be determined by subjective factors like "class participation" is legally limited by the school board, precisely for the reasons you indicate. You may wish to contact your school board representative to ask if this applies in your school district.</p>
<p>Soozievt, Northstarmom, and everyone that's responded to my cry for help, I thank you. The whole school is aware of this particular teacher's political extremism, and my teachers (the other ones love me) know about this whole conflict, and they've informed me that he has always been like this. I think after the completion of my school year, I will write a letter to the principal, because one of my English teachers informed me of something obscenely terrible he has done. We had an exchange student from South Africa at our school last year (maybe she's still here). And she was a very strong feminist, even though the society she grew up in was very oppressive to women. I guess this girl had some run ins with my history teacher's "dominance" theory. And he assigned her, and only her, to read this book about the dominance of the male in African culture and had her do a classroom presentation about it...it was public humiliation. Should I write a letter to the principal at the end of the year if I choose to shtick it out?</p>
<p>Dmd: that is what I've been wondering too. Supposedly, his class should parrallel the college grading system...like all of my other classes, where tests/essays should amount to about 90% of the grade and hw the other 5%...but, he adjusted his scale this year...he made the class final...participation points...</p>