If a student said that she thought you were the worst teacher she ever had, what would you say?

Answer 1

During my first year of teaching, I would have been devastated; however, I'm at year 13 now.

Students will attempt to push buttons to try to get a reaction out of you, especially teenagers.

I've heard this "complaint" before, and I looked at the child and said, "I'm sorry you feel that way."

I didn't have to say much else because most of the other students jumped right in and told me what I was doing right.

If you know that you're doing your very best and you're working your hardest, then I wouldn't take the comment to heart.

Answer 2

I'd never teach. I don't think the school system is a suitable way of learning. A lot of flaws. Deans shouldn't exist. There should be more fairness. Often teachers come in late, but the students arrive 5 seconds late and they must stay 30 minutes to an hour later afterschool. It's disrespect. High school should be more like college, and the parents should be required to be involved from day one, or a tutor, similar to how insurance is required for vehicles. The bell system should be eliminated for this isn't a dolphin training session. They should recieve all of their work in a lump sum and be able to jurisdict their own schedule. School buildings should be multiple auditoriums. Each class of each type gets it's own section and set of tutors who stay there for the whole schoolday. All levels go to one auditorium, similar to the old days of one schoolhouse containing all levels from kindergarten to 8th grade. Different levels should get different sections, and the teacher should go over a direct lesson plan, in which the students could record, similar to college. If they have any questions, they can consult their manual tutor afterwards. They'd have time to do it in class, and if they needed immediate help they'd have their tutors telephone number in order to call them. If they do not pay attention in class, similar to college, it wouldn't make a difference, they'd have to answer to their parents and tutors when their homework was being gone over later that day. The tutor, parent, and teacher, should all be a team in getting the student proper help and motivation, both aspects of life, home and school. The drop out rate and graduation rates would both improve with that. Not to mention jobs created from the tutoring companies. Any misbehavior results as though it were an offense commited on the street and real police would arrest them and take them away. Disruptions are reported to the tutor and the teacher, and repeated offenses would cause them to be dropped from the class after a special probationary period, to see if they can improve their behavior.

Answer 3

Hi

I'd be really upset and would tell the student that. I'd like to know why they felt like this.

If it was something like I give too much homework then tough! LOL but if it was because I never explained things in way she understood or that my lessons were always dull then I would take notice and try to do something about it.

If she's said it to you as part of a conversation rather than a moment of anger/frustration then that's taken a lot of courage but said in the heat of the moment she probably didn't mean it.

We give all of our students a questionnaire a couple of times a year to get their views.

What they've enjoyed, what they haven't, what's helped them to learn, what's not, how things could be improved etc.

It makes interesting reading!

Good luck!

K x

Answer 4

I would ask them for several specific examples of how I was the worst teacher. Maybe the student has a point - maybe not. But at least the student would know that you're listening.

Answer 5

"Well, I'm sorry you feel that way." And move on. I wouldn't ask the kid why they think that because, frankly, people are giving kids too much say. Everyone wants kids to like them, and we fear their rejection, so a lot of people get to thinking they're equal to the kids, or even like they report to the kids and have to answer to them! It's not so! You are the adult and they are the student. You report to the division head and the principal, not to the parents and the students. Don't open yourself to their critical input. Assuming you don't teach at the college level, they don't get to rate you, nor should they. Just leave it at "sorry you feel that way" and end it. If you entertain that discussion, you convey the message that you are there to please her, and you're not. You're there to teach, and to teach as well as you can. If an administrator approached you on the quality of your instruction, then you need to be concerned. If the majority of your students were of the same thought (and they're not the dumb class) then I would also be concerned to some degree. But this is one wee little student. Do your best but don't open yourself to allowing them to criticize you, because you will never ever ever please them all. And you need to make decisions that they will not like (flunking, discipline, etc) So maintain the posture that you're their teacher, not their waiter, and they have no place to criticize your quality of service.

Answer 6

I would search deep inside and find out what I did wrong and how I let a student down. These kinds of teachers are usually shallow and end up turning kids off to learning - they shouldn't be teaching.

Answer 7

I'd try to reflect on my method of teaching. I'll ask not only her but also my other students' opinions just like what we do on evaluations. If she's the only one who has a problem with the way of my teaching, I'd have to solve it depending on what are her reasons for saying so. She's entitled to her own opinions anyway. :)

Answer 8

I would ask her what she thought I could do to improve the class and try it for a week. I'd also evaluate the student's behavior to see if there has been an improvement.

Answer 9

ask them why they feel that way? all students learn in a different way and you cant please everyone, if theres another teacher that teaches that subject, maybe that student would like to switch into that class.

if she feels your not explaining everything out - then do so ((for the students that need things step by step)) and throw in a hands on activity ((for those who learn visually))

Answer 10

I would tell the student I was sorry to hear that. Then I would ask her why she felt that way. Try not to be defensive. Listen and evaluate what she says. After reflection, speak with her again and tell her your thoughts on the subject.

Chow!!