Problems with a teacher

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>I am having MAJOR problems with my math teacher this semester. She and I really don't get along. </p>

<p>I don't like her teaching style nor her personality. She has an "elite" group of favorites in her classes, usually the popular and talkative kids, and she only pays attention to them. She doesn't really know the rest of us exist and it makes me and other students in my class feel really bad when a teacher doesn't take even an effort to get to know her quieter students (and usually harder-working) as well. I've had her for 7 weeks now and she still doesn't know my name. This really frustrates me, when a teacher goes so far to ignore a mass majority of her kids. </p>

<p>Even the way she looks annoys me. She has something to her face that implies that she thinks she is better than me, and she is just so condescending and rude to me when I am really sweet to her. One day I approached her after class and said "Hello" just to see if she knew I existed. In return, she gave me the rudest look ever that just gave away so much about her opinion of me (oh, and she never said "Hi"). Basically her look said, "You're crap. You don't deserve to talk to me or be in my presence. Why are you even human, why do you have to exist in our world? You don't deserve to be alive." That was the impression I got, from me just giving her a friendly "Hello". How awful is that?</p>

<p>This is math, by the way. I don't know about your high schools, but at my high school, honors or AP math classes are pretty much always viewed as the hardest, most rigorous classes. The classes move so fast that getting regular extra help from a teacher is inevitable at some point for every student. After today, having to be around my teachers horrible attitude, I have decided for good that I am never going to ask for help from again--never. </p>

<p>I couldn't get her fired, a lot of people actually like her and think she's good at teaching. Sure I've had quips about teachers in the past, but I've never actually had a teacher who goes THIS far. She's horrendous in that she just doesn't care. It actually baffles me how rude she is to ME, especially, as if she has something to hold against me. She doesn't even treat the other quiet students this badly. I am really a genuinely nice person and I treat her a lot of with respect, yet she just can't seem to get herself to get along with me. She has actually called on me in class (or rather, rashly pointed her pencil at me because why would she know my name?) and tormented me for not knowing the answer to a problem. What she said right after that was basically equivalent to calling me dumb and a failure at life in front of the entire class. As a result, I feel really uncomfortable just being in her classroom.</p>

<p>My math teacher last semester was so sweet and helpful, and I kind of want to go into her class for help, but I'm afraid my current teacher will come in and visit (teachers of the same subject generally hang around each others' classrooms at my school) and see me, and everything will be awkward. Should I risk this?</p>

<p>Anyway, just in general, I wanted to rant because I have a C and now almost a D in math, 2 weeks left of the marking period, and I've only ever gotten 1 B in high school. She piles on homework every single night and math in that class is like Greek to me, so it's like deciphering a bunch of Greek novels at 1am after a long, arduous day of tutoring and Community Service Club or whatever activities I have that day. Get this--she likes to give out really hard homework "for fun". I once spent literally 5 hours trying to figure out a page of problems, and the next day she laughs and says "Oh, I just gave that out for fun!" One time I also asked for help on a quiz when we had 1 minute left in the class, and she told me to be quiet because I was being a distraction while she helped this popular kid.</p>

<p>I really despise this teacher, and I am probably going to have this math teacher next year as well. I actually happen to despise my guidance counselor as well because she never does anything for me and would never allow me to switch teachers, so scratch that option off the list.</p>

<p>If anyone has gone through anything similar with a teacher, please share your story. Thanks so much if anyone takes the time to read this entire post and offers some advice, I really appreciate it.</p>

2

<p>Go to scheduling office and get a change of teacher.</p>

3

<p>I haven't had a problem like that with a teacher but with the highschool soccer coach. So freshman year I made varsity soccer then sophmore year we got a new coach and i had mono all during the first couple months of school which are like tryouts and she still told me that i should come and try out even though i wasnt supposed to be at school and of course i wasnt able to prefrom up to my ability at all cause i wasnt even supposed to be running around or attending school for that matter but she didnt care so she put me on jv. Then junior year she talked to me during tryouts and was liek you have improved so im going to let you know your on varsity was she that dumb i had mono last year. in the begining of the season i went on a vacation and i got penelized for that because i missed a tournoment that she would not have played me in anyways. So i asked her why i wasnt playing and she said because i missed the touroment but no it was okay if her group of favorites was sick the day before a game and couldnt come to practice it was fine and they would play the next game or if one of them went on a trip it was okay. And its scary to talk to her becasue she has the same thing as you said liek she feels liek shes better then you and she would just answer my question with some lie like youll be playing soon. like she would play me a game and i would do amazing and shewouldsay you doing really good but it didnt matter i wouldsit out the whole next game. oh and by the way she would rarely sub even though half the girls needed a break ccause she couldnt dare take her favorites out</p>

<p>then senior year i was exctied cause i was expecting to play more even though i wasnt among her favorites. then i sprained my ankle. and it went downhill once again she came up to me and told me she didnt think i was taking care of my ankle even though i was going to physical therapy and icing it no it didnt matter she said i wasnt being serious about it that i shouldnt even be going to physical therapy and all this stuff and it hurt me it really did because i did want to make my ankle better and she would get mad at me when i had to leave practice early even wehn i wasnt practiing for physical threapy but it was okay when one of her favorites had to leave for work early. then the senior game came she didnt even start all her seniors adn i wasnt one of them and its a tradtion to. i left the game crying and she confronted me about it and gave me another balony answer with i have been trying to get you back and im going to keep tyring when we only had one game left????? and she told me shes tyring to get away from that tradtion i guess? and also we were losing like we always do but she can't stand to take her favs out even though where losing and some of them areent even that good</p>

<p>all i can say is im glad season is over. i dont know if that helps you at all but i thought it was kind of similiar because your teacher andmy coacch seem to have the personiality</p>

4

<p>Talk to the guidance office. Get your parents involved immediately.</p>

<p>The school will give in once your parents get involved...Trust me on that.</p>

<p>I had a Physics teacher who BS'ed me and gave me D's on papers that were the same as another students but I included more relevant information. I showed it to the guidance office and I had my mom come in.</p>

<p>The guidance dean, my mom, and I confronted the teacher and she broke.</p>

5

<p>I can't get a schedule change. I thought I said that. My guidance counselor would never do anything for me, ESPECIALLY if I was having problems with a teacher. I don't know about making too big of a deal out of it though, I mean I don't want to get my parents involved and get into that sort of conflict. I'll only use that as a last resort. This teacher is pretty much nice to everyone but me, so it's not like I could use a lot of evidence against her or something other than claiming that she has something against me.</p>

<p>But does anyone think I should go to the math teacher I had last semester for help? Is it weird to do that since I don't have her as a teacher anymore?</p>

6

<p>yeah thats what alot of the parents are doing for soccer they are all getting together to have a meeting and to go from there. You should get your parents involved</p>

7

<p>I guess I could get my parents involved in at least getting a schedule change, but it would make me feel uncomfortable to get myself into it. I am a pacifist, non-aggressive, and a pretty shy person generally so I don't know if I could take this any further.</p>

<p>Plus, I think I'm the only person who completely hates my math teacher. The general consensus is that she's an amazing math teacher and that she's really funny, but obviously I find her neither of those.</p>

8

<p>I know what you mean. Everyone has different taste in teachers -- I've loved teachers that my friends have hated and hated teachers that everyone else thinks are awesome.</p>

<p>I used to be the way you are now (shy/non-aggressive) but let me tell you -- it's your RIGHT to get a teacher who is unbiased and doesn't play favorites. I had a teacher ninth grade year that, while she didn't dislike me, she wasn't my greatest fan either. However, she would make me feel uncomfortable at times and that's NOT OKAY.</p>

<p>Finally, I got fed up with it and told my parents. They did the usual call-and-complain. In the end, the teacher -- while I'm pretty sure she, at that point, hated my guts -- totally backed off. Never said anything to me, wouldn't call on me for answers, etc. Almost like she was afraid that I'd go home and tell my parents and then they'd call the principal up or something. </p>

<p>And don't think it'll influence your grade. Math is one thing where you can not get screwed over in as it is objective, not subjective (like English or Art is). If she marks you wrong for something unfairly, you can easily prove her to be in the wrong. And lastly, seek out your old teacher for help. It's not like things will get any more awkward!</p>

<p>Good luck:)</p>

9

<p>i had this problem with my coach for three years and i am exacitly like you my mom kept telling me she was going to say sometime and i didnt want her to get involved and there only were a couple of us who felt the same way but since my mom has stepped in there is a number of others who feel that way that i didnt even know so mayeb you will found out that there are more people who feel that way</p>

10

<p>look, you're a student who's trying hard & has a right to learn. if this teacher is not letting u do that, then it's a problem. like others above^, i think u should definitely go to your parents &, at the very least, have them DEMAND u get a different teacher or something. lol, that sounds harsh, but the principal/whoever else should be willing to cater to u.</p>

11

<p>kill her quickly and efficiently</p>

12

<p>Don't be yourself. Imitate the popular kids and you will become popular. If public television has taught me anything, being yourself only works for animals that act like students in an ideal school environment.</p>

13

<p>I would say don't stop getting help from your old teacher and if she does walk in than let her see how horrible of a job she's doing. I'm sure the other teacher would tell her at some point that she's not paying attention to you and anything concerning the attitude, i would say just let it be, you can't change her but go to your old teacher and get help and get better. Also, the next time she asks you a question make sure you know the answer and give a nasty look back so she knows how it feels.</p>

14

<p>My friends dad once said this " in a world where palin can become vice president you just gotta expect there to be idiots in power". I know it's hard but just do the best you can with her. Ask others for help on homework and try your best. You don't have to go out of your way to get her to be nice to you. Just try to learn as much as possible. And when you're done and leaving high school for Stanford or something just be like "c ya *****"</p>

15

<p>Seems like you're out of options. Suck it up, really, the vast majority of the population who cannot afford rich, luxurious schools with good teachers will inevitably face several bad teachers. It seems that there's nothing left for you, but genuinely find some help in math and try to pull off a B in class.</p>

<p>...Or you can perhaps, talk to the teacher and clear it up...or you can talk to your parents maybe.</p>

<p>Btw, I have 2 teachers this year who are similar to the above. Eh, I guess you should just try to...excel on your own merit. Since it's math, there's little room for subjectivity, if you can ace the class it shouldn't be a problem.</p>

16

<p>Teachers want their kids to learn and feel good about themselves. All their kids, especially the struggling ones. If your teacher knew her actions were turning you off to math and making you feel like a failure at life, she would probably be horrified. It's nothing personal - if she doesn't know your name, she almost certainly isn't picking up on how disrespected you're feeling.</p>

<p>If you want her to help you out and pay more attention to you, I'd suggest talking to her after class and asking her to explain a concept. If you talk to her individually you'll be on her "radar," so she'll probably like you more. (Teachers can't like people they don't know!) Plus you'll look like you care. And the explanation she gives you might actually help.</p>

<p>Keep in mind teachers' opinions can and do change. My stats teacher used to hate my guts. And then I got to know her and last year she even asked me to write her a letter of recommendation. So you can definitely make this teacher like you if you work at it.</p>

17

<p>be arrogant</p>

18

<p>Did I mention that I'm almost guaranteed to get this math teacher next year, along with 3 other AWFUL teachers?<br>
Yeah, junior year's going to be fun. :(</p>

19

<p>guess you better start sucking up then.</p>

20

<p>^that's the way =)</p>

<p>it really is, here are some tips</p>

<ol>
<li>Be the last to leave the classroom. This will give you opportunities to have a private conversation with your teacher.</li>
<li>Laugh at all the jokes, answer all the questions, study for all the tests</li>
<li>Be modest, social (but not disruptive), and happy</li>
<li>Never hurts to slip couple hundreds into his/her pocket</li>
</ol>