Help me, I need advice

[Unregistered]

I have a teacher, let's just say her name is "Ms. Daniels." She is truly the worst teacher I have had in my entire life. She purposely singles out certain students and makes fun of them/makes fools of them in front of the entire class. I am one of those students. She has called me things like "challenged," " stupid," and a "liar." I go to her class every day dreading every moment from the second I walk in until the second I walk out. Recently, my mother and I had a conference with her about her attitude issue. She basically said none of the stuff I said she did was true and that she doesn't act rude. She proved this wrong herself by laughing at me in front of my mom TWICE while I was making my case. Ever since then I've been putting extra effort into all the work I do for her because I know she's just dying to fail me. But to no avail, I worked extremely hard on an assignment and I still got an F on it. I did more work than most of the other students! The assignment was on the book "Of Mice and Men" by Steinbeck. For every correct answer I gave, she found some small, remote, insignificant opposition for it. You should see the paper, she wrote some of the stupidest things on it just to take off points. Tommorrow I plan on asking her in a polite way (like I always do) about how she came up with my grade. I'm positive that she's going to throw her attitude at me along with a few snickers and unwanted opinions. Can you please give me some advice on how to talk to her and how to get her to see things my way. I know I still have one more quarter of school left to go, and it's not going to be easy with her.

[Real Live WI Teacher]

Wow, this sounds pretty rough. What has your Mom said for you to do?

My first thought is to journal - write down specifically what is said to which student, when and where. It could be pretty powerful for her to see her comments in writing, if it ever came to that. Regardless, it's good documentation for you to reflect on your perception, for your Mom to get a good idea of what's being said and how, and in case she decides you both need to bring this issue to someone else.

As a teacher, I'd want to know if I was making hurtful comments. Sometimes perception can be skewed, for the teacher or the student too. Are you sure of your part too? I've noticed that sometimes the first thing a student does when they are frustrated or challenged is to look for ways to make it someone or something else's fault. It sounds like you feel competent, but look at your behavior also to see if there is a bad dynamic between both of you.

You have control over your behavior, and that's where your empowerment lies.

But, having said all that - there are teachers who have gotten into a bad place and are not very safe for students emotionally or psychologically. I had one when I was in high school, that tormented two special ed brothers in the class. The other students would laugh, but I was sickened by it. I wish I would have called him on it, now that I look back as an adult. As a student I know that can be difficult if not impossible. But if any really hurtful comments are being made, if she really is calling students stupid or challenged, and you've addressed it with her and your Mom, and hopefully an administrator at some point, then I would look into other legal ways of documenting those comments as well.

I haven't thought through this completely, so take my comments at face value please. But students are not required to take verbal abuse, and I wouldn't continue in that situation.

Have your Mom take that lead too, and write things down when she communicates with the teacher and school or send letters or emails to voice her concerns.

I hope this helps some, and make sure you do your best to set up a positive and successful discussion over your paper - it will help for you to be sure that if it's negative it wasn't fed by you without realizing it. And maybe it will work out better =)

[Unregistered]

Thank you, the idea about journaling is very usefull I think I'll use it. I wasn't expecting to get such positive feedback. I try my hardest to remain polite towards her even in the hardest times. Today she was still rude to me and still tried to make me look stupid, but I'm begining to see how responding to her in a polite way will just make her even more frustrated on the inside. Anyways, thank you for your help!

[Unregistered]

It sounds like this is a pretty tough situation. If I had a student come to me with a situation like this I would send them directly to their guidance counselor. Why should this teacher’s attitude affect your school work, your grades and ultimately your future? Use the journal that you are keeping as your evidence; be prepared to talk to higher administration, such as your principal. Good luck!

[Unregistered]

Audio tape her.

[Unregistered]

I wouldn't audio tape; in many states, it's illegal to audio tape someone without their consent. And if you were to eventually take legal action, the tape(s) would not be admissible in court.
I agree that journaling would be a good way to document the incidents. But it sounds like since you've had your mother meet with her, and it didn't yield any results, it's probably time to visit the principal. No student should have to tolerate emotional or verbal abuse, and any principal would agree that such an environment is not condusive to learning.
Good luck.

[Ms. Daniels]

Stop your whining and be a man! You think life is easy. A tough teacher is just preparing you for what is right around the corner.

[A caring teacher]

Stop your whining and be a man! You think life is easy. A tough teacher is just preparing you for what is right around the corner.

It seems like you've missed the whole point, and with your attitude, I'd suggest you quit, while you're ahead, becuase shcool is a place for young children, and young adults to grow, and with teachers like "Ms. Daniels" and your following in "Ms. Daniels"'s footsteps more harm than good is done for the benefit of the student.

To the student: As an English teacher, I'd suggest you take your paper to the principal and show him/her what has happened (maybe also a short note/essay on why you feel you've been wronged should be submitted as well) and take it from there.

Good Luck!

[Unregistered]

I know the post by "ms. daniels" was done tounge in cheek, but there's a point there. Some of you responders come off a bit too much like Dear Abby. You are so free with advice after you've heard one side of what may or may not have happened. I got through my education, and all six of my children did too. We all had a variety of teachers along the way, some as sweet as candy and others like drill seargents. They all, in there way, prepared us for life. You ask any kid a year after they get out of school and they will tell you what a rude awakening it is. No job treats employees with the kid gloves they are used to from school. The first day at the hamburger grill or the big box store room when the asst. manager treats precious like slave labor and he folds because every teacher he ever had had to tip toe around to avoid the cataclysm that comes from (heavens forbid) hurting little darlings feelings. So: two things: 1. don't be so quick to offer advice about situations you know nothing about; 2. stop trying to protect children from the slings and arrows.

[Unregistered]

I would have a meeting with her first. Next I would try to get an administrator involved. It could be the teacher has a mental problem. I would also have other students that feel the same way come out



I have a teacher, let's just say her name is "Ms. Daniels." She is truly the worst teacher I have had in my entire life. She purposely singles out certain students and makes fun of them/makes fools of them in front of the entire class. I am one of those students. She has called me things like "challenged," " stupid," and a "liar." I go to her class every day dreading every moment from the second I walk in until the second I walk out. Recently, my mother and I had a conference with her about her attitude issue. She basically said none of the stuff I said she did was true and that she doesn't act rude. She proved this wrong herself by laughing at me in front of my mom TWICE while I was making my case. Ever since then I've been putting extra effort into all the work I do for her because I know she's just dying to fail me. But to no avail, I worked extremely hard on an assignment and I still got an F on it. I did more work than most of the other students! The assignment was on the book "Of Mice and Men" by Steinbeck. For every correct answer I gave, she found some small, remote, insignificant opposition for it. You should see the paper, she wrote some of the stupidest things on it just to take off points. Tommorrow I plan on asking her in a polite way (like I always do) about how she came up with my grade. I'm positive that she's going to throw her attitude at me along with a few snickers and unwanted opinions. Can you please give me some advice on how to talk to her and how to get her to see things my way. I know I still have one more quarter of school left to go, and it's not going to be easy with her.

[Unregistered]

I don't care how you put it - no teacher should ever be calling his/her students "stupid." Sounds like "Ms. Daniels" never took and educational psychology course. Students who are having a tough time in class would benefit a thousand times more from extra help and guidance (or maybe even being evaluated for a lower ability class/track if that's an option) than being called "stupid." A negative attitude and put-downs aren't going to help students achieve success in the classroom.

[Unregistered]

I would highly suggest that you schedule a meeting with your principal and discuss how you're feeling in this class. It might be a good idea, as someone else suggested, to keep a journal of her comments so that you have some documentation to back up your statements. Try to be as un-accusing as possible in the meeting, just make it known that you want to do whatever is necessary to make your time in the classroom more comfortable and successful.