<p>So, I have a terrible trigonometry teacher. I'm currently taking a honors trigonometry course at the college level, and boy, is it frustrating. The woman does not teach. So she plans a seminar, but we already know the problems she explains, and she deliberately announces that she will not answer any questions. Any. And upon grading our quizzes (and most likely our tests, in the future), she leaves disparaging comments, such as "Hello?", "What in the heck were you thinking?", "Do you listen in class?", and "You aren't smart enough to be in this class". She tells us these things straight in our faces, and because I couldn't take it anymore, I consulted my principal and formally told her that we had a problem. The woman's grading scale is quite berserk, and after investigation, it so happens that her grading scale isn't compatible with curriculum standards anyway. It's terrible. She actually looked over my shoulder while I was taking my test and laughed in my face. And now I have an 81 in that class, thanks to the fact that I made a 77 on that very test. Yeah, sure. Only one test, but I really doubt I can make it to at least a 90 when report cards come out. Sure, it's good that I have straight 100s in all my other classes (yes, including AP Spanish and AP World History), but this 81... if it stays, well, I might as well slap myself. And at the moment, I am teaching myself trigonometry via Purple Math. If anyone has experienced this, feel free to rant. </p>
<p>And this 81. If it stays, while my other classes still stand as top notch 100s, do you think my chances at Stanford are screwed? I want to major in chemistry, so the fact that I'm flailing in a math class just discourages me. And I'm currently 1st in my class, but I don't intend for that rank to drop anytime soon. Never, to be precise.</p>
<p>Um, an 81 is not failing. Buut, I don't think it should hurt you too much. And there's still like a whole bunch more time before you get report cards (I think). And if you have a book, try to learn from that.</p>
<p>My pre calc teacher last year did the same thing with the useless comments. As if saying "hello" will magically make me grasp concepts better =). I would assume the principle would do something regarding the grading scale.. but yea that sucks</p>
<p>what a bit**. Can you think of a good insult? Work on one, wait till the end of the year, and make sure to let her know what you think. I've NEVER heard of a teacher doing those kind of things or actually saying to never ask questions. She's a failure as a teacher.</p>
<p>P.S. You can use that one against her if you'd like.</p>
<p>My school has a Spanish teacher that has Tourettes(random spurts of anger), and a 'bipolar' teacher. I quoted 'bipolar' since everyone likes to label themselves, dyslexic, ADD, and whatnot:P</p>
<p>Your teacher seems to be suffering from 'egomanical dementia', made up by me:P</p>
<p>The principal wrote my case down in her files and shortly talked with my trig. teacher concerning the complaints she was getting regarding conduct and the students' performance in class (almost everyone has a low 70 to a low 80). I saw a slight change today, because my trig. teacher actually taught us a lesson consisting of questions we had and her teaching routine seemed to be reorganized in a much more orderly, agreeable manner. Still, I'm very scared as to how I'll do in the future. Yes, a month and a half to raise this up, but I doubt it'll be by much. </p>
<p>Oh... we think she's obsessive compulsive, for if a problem isn't written perfectly on the board, she'll erase, rewrite, and erase again until it's what she wants. She'll make obvious miscalculations, and when we politely correct her, she'll huff and puff and give us the death glare. She'll cringe and shudder when someone sneezes, for she's afraid she'll be fatally ill if she contracts any of our "diseases". A contemptible fruitcake, I'll have to say.</p>
<p>Ok, I think that by law you have the right to report her. She is actually harassing you, harassment is in a way how you interpret what the person says. If she really is like that, I suggest you talk to your parents. And you should have proof of this harassment, since she wrote it down for you on paper. I think some states have a law that permits you to sue the school for hindrance of education when they don't do anything. Only some states like Connecticut. You should check on it.</p>
<p>Thanks. I know it is my right to report any maltreatment, but I don't know how alike Connecticut and Texas' laws are (as I live in Texas). I mean, I talked to the principal on Thursday, and I haven't gotten my graded test back, and she hasn't been grading anything of ours lately, so I'll have to give it some time. </p>
<p>And of course, I can't put her on a micro tape recorder, for it's ilegal to record someone without them knowing if it isn't something grand like omniscient surveillance cameras. Yeah, I showed the principal one of my quizzes, and she did seem very concerned.</p>
<p>I've had teachers very similar to that, and unfortunately they both weren't fired until after the school year(which ruined me and many others gpa so much that the school is offering to say how bad the teacher was on our college applications).</p>
<p>But Masterus, she's obviously going to act different when under the watch of parents and the principal. Everyone's parents know about her. They've sent e-mails complaining about her. It's going to take some time, but I don't know how long.</p>
<p>That's the point. Maybe with a parent there everyday you can actually learn. So be a leader and organize your class. Maybe you could have a person's parent come one day, then someone else and so forth.</p>
<p>That is exactly what is taking place. My friend's mother is coming on Friday, and because I'm the one who really sparked this revolt by speaking with the principal, I am working on rallying more people to stand up and protect their grades. Apparently, most people are pessimistic, thinking that as long as they stay in her class (which, by the way, is the only class period in which this particular form of trigonometry is taught), they're screwed. But I'll be a leader. Thanks.</p>
<p>Find an excellent tutor. It's worth the price. Sounds like your teacher is horrible, but despite your and other students' and parents' complaints, you may find that things change little this year because due to teachers' unions and employment regulations, it can take a long time to get rid of someone who's incompetent.</p>
<p>Thanks Northstarmom. I will hop to it, but for now, as I presently have little cash, I'm relying on one of my friends to help me before school starts, which is something I am ever so thankful for. Took a quiz today. Barely passed, of course, which drops my average to an 80. Oh well. But still, for now, I must read the textbook in order to raise my grade up 10 POINTS in a month and a half. Possible, but difficult. Thanks, you guys.</p>
<p>Oh, and in an effort to get to know her better, I spent some of my lunch at "tutoring" because I was completely lost when it came to this one particular problem. With umbrage, I discussed with the trig. teacher how excellent a student I am, but math is my low point at the moment. And what made me feel stupid was this: She spent her years teaching magnet school students. Smart students. Not public street kids, as some would say. She tried to be patronizing and assured me that my "good memory skills" would help me in the longrun, but still, I just can't help feeling inferior. And the fact that I have two Korean friends who gaped at the fact that I made a 77 on the first test doesn't help either. Especially when one of them says "If I had your grade in math, my parents would kick me out of the house".</p>