My teacher is patrionizing me, is she right here?

Question

Ok i'm in a community college, i'm 19, so i'm an adult.

It's a group communications class, so we got into groups and we had to discuss something within 10 min. We finished in about 5. When we were done i opened up my cell phone (WHICH WAS ON VIBRATE) because I got a txt message. She saw me just open it for 5 seconds and i just needed to read it and she comes over and starts trying to tell me I need to have my cell phone turned off for class and that it's in the syllabys. I look it up and it says "to not distract others around you, please turn off all beepers and pagers." And what I was doing was distracting no one.

Also I was reading my notes in class while we were having a discussion because i needed to look up a word, she yells at me for not paying attention when I really was.

Also she says she penalizes your grade for being late, but doesn't say it on the syllabys. Isn't this contract infringment?

Is there anything I can do to go above her? She just snipes me, am I wrong here?

I really try to be respectful but I have principals too. This isn't high school, i'm tired of her talking down to me like I'm not able to read my notes for a definition and follow the discussion.

To clarify I have to keep my cell phone on, but I keep it on vibrate and look when nothing is happening. For emergencies at work if something happens they come to me. I WILL be respectful and if it's urgent wait till after class or leave the class. I was not txting back, ltierally opening my phone under my desk and glancing on what was wrote. Took 10 seconds and she instigates it while the whole class stares at us. I think that is causing a distraction not me at all.

Answer 1

Yes, you are wrong. She is teaching a class and perfectly within her rights to outline classroom conduct expectations.

You are argumentative with your back talk and your refusal to do things the way she expects, which is distracting to the other students.

And now you want to get "cute" and dissect the class syllabus for "contract infringement." Give me a break.

Not only is she fully within her rights to penalize your grade but she can expel you from the entire class.



You say you are "grown up" but you are not, you have a lot of growing up to do. I suggest you take responsibility for your own actions and obey the rules of the class.

Peace.

Answer 2

Yes. And I am writing as a professor. It isn't personal. It is matter of class control. I sometimes have 75 in my class. What if 5 decided to talk or text message at the same time. How can the others hear. It is then a question of consideration of others. Concentration is needed in a classroom and others may need to focus perhaps more than you so the distractions interrupt. Look. I am a favorite teacher so I have too many students. I welcome the opportunity to kick students out because 300 papers to read in a night is a bit much. If you are late, be my guest and find the next door out...:) Then I have only 299 papers and I am paid the same.

I know it doesn't sound fair to penalize your grade. I didn't think it fair in Univ. when I was downgraded to a B because I seldom went to class but passed all the exams...but those are sometimes the teacher's rules. If you don't like it, find another.

Nothing you can do...in my case because I admit more students in my class than normal and consistently my classes are full, the Dean LIKES me. Complaints of your nature I'm afraid don't go anywhere. Drop it and find another.

Answer 3

As a teacher, I have to agree with her. When you open your phone to check your messages, you are not giving her respect, (that she worked REALLY hard to get!) nor are you giving your class the focus and commitment that it deserves. You aren't giving your education the attention it deserves, either.

While you are paying attention to your phone, or your syllabus, or whatever else you are focusing on, you could be missing some key point that may be on a test next week, or a thought that you may not have caught otherwise. There's a reason for attending class -- it's because you can't think of everything yourself, and a book won't be able to give you the experiences that your professor can.

Give her and yourself the benefit of your attention, and stop the "I'll show her" -- any university will back her anyway, as they should. Rarely does a student have a valid complaint about a professor's behavior in class, and rarely does a university back a student over a professor.

Turn off your phone! Your education is important -- and so is your teacher!

Answer 4

My Health teacher acts like this, particularly in the yelling if you are doing things about the notes you're taking while he's talking. I have to stay quiet about it, because he has the right to give me a detention if I ever defy him. I don't like it, but I live with it. My other teachers are more understanding.

At my school if a teacher can detect any kind of cell phone activity, it can be taken away, so I simply have it OFF during the entire school day. I advocate this choice for anybody going to school. Most teachers don't abide by this policy, but one can never be too safe. Also, your teacher gave it to your in your syllabus, so why would it be on? Why would it be on if it is a requirement by the teacher that it be off?

Concerning the grade reduction? I'm absolutely for it. Lateness involves a disruption of the classroom environment, which reflects your ability to participate in the class - and I think participation in the class should affect your grade, absolutely. How else would you learn?

Basically, I think you're at fault here, and it is *really easy* to do just fine in the class. Ah well, you won't like reading that.

Answer 5

i don,t want to offend you,but I don,t feel that while you are in class that answering the cell phone or taking messages is the right thing to do.even though your phone was on vibrate,it is still a distraction.I was in community college myself and even though I was an adult,it was not good manners to communicate through a cell phone rather it is a call or message.The message could have waited until class was over or break time to answer your call.....I do think that she is picking on you somewhat because you maybe did this...Just think of it this way,your education is more important than any phone call or message you might recieve unless of course its a life or death situation.Your message would have waited and you would not have lost it had you not responded.......I would suggest you just bite the bullet,and go to your teacher that you are sorry and let her know it will not happen again...I know that sounds hard to do,but for your sake and your sanity that might be the only way to get back in the good graces of your teacher.........Remember that teacher has the right to grade you,good or bad,also she has the power to get you on the deans list...I might not agree with her but she does have that power,so for your own good and grades I would do that if I were you sweetie,you know life is not always fair but sometimes you be nice to get what you want out of life,you won,t always be in this situation,one day YOU could be the one calling the shots...Good luck dear

Answer 6

Go by her syllabus and realize that you are nothing but a number to that school, they do not care if you drop that class because the majority of there money is funded through the state.... Do what you can and pass the class, if she disrespects you then politely address her in a way that will not raise your blood pressure. Those deans do not care for you and they will not listen to you unless she skips class or end it too early. Also, you should have explained to her about your situation in the beginning so that this would not have happened. No it is not H.S. but they will remind you that it is college and they don't give a rat's butt if you learn or not.

It's up to you!

Answer 7

You should have your phone turn off at all times while in class even if it distracts no one.But at the same time your teacher should be more respectful on not talk down on you.

Answer 8

well as far as your cell phone , if it is supposed to be turned off then turn it off so u won't get distracted but if u think she really is being unfair to u then stand up for what u think is right

Answer 9

Get in the habit of standing up to these elitists now that you're of age. At a sensible time, of course.

Answer 10

act like a grown up and relalize the phones are used so much in places they shouldnt be....in class be in full attention and respect your teacher while in her class is her time