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, 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 don't txt back or call or even look when it's unappropriate, but the class time was dead, nothing was happeneing.

Answer 1

Most likely she has been there for a while and is protected by a contract, union rights, seniority, tenure, etc. It is also true that most likely she will still be there long after you have moved on from that school. College teachers often have considerable leeway in determining how the course will be taught and how grades are assigned.

My advice would be to not take it all so seriously and personally and to let it go. You are right .... it is not high school, and part of that is being able to deal better with all kinds of people, even those who give us grief.

"You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar" if you know what I mean ...... and she is in charge of your grade for the course.

Answer 2

It's a very hard call.. I'm not saying it's wrong or right but I am going to give you food for thought. My husband teaches community college - so I hear about all of this stuff and all the tardy excuses and absence excuses. Personally, when I taught computers, I had all cell phones put on vibrate. I would not have liked it to see someone read a text message... no calls unless it's an emergency during class. Also, a syllabus is always subject to change.... it is not a contract - it is a guide.

Keep these things in mind: Community college is a great place to be trained for the real world 'manners'. If I ever got caught answering a cell phone at my desk, I would be reprimanded..... the same way, that in the workplace, companies are having to block people from internet sites because "people haven't learned that your not supposed to be playing when you're working" - so it ruins the lunchtime internet access for everyone. Also, if I am 'late" with my work, it very well could mean I get fired. Just because it wasn't important for you doesn't mean it wasn't important for the teacher. My husband as a "no late paper' policy. You just get a 0.... and no e-mailed papers... have to be hard copy.

Maybe there's a better way for your teacher to communicate with you so you are not embarassed - but remember: teaching you to be "on-time" may save your job; teaching you to stay focused (not reading a text message in class - it could have waited, right?) is just teaching you a good habit.

Don't get angry about these 'small' things. When you enter the workforce, it's 100 times worse.... believe me.... and you can't go over anyone's head because the 'boss' is the 'boss'..... unless there's sexual harassment - rule of thumb is, if you don't like your job, find another one. The school will support the teacher as he can make up rules - it's his/her classroom - like NO cell phones at all, NO late papers unless it's a "near-death' experience..... it's the teacher's call as long as the teacher is following the guidelines of the college - which the teacher knows.

Don't let this get to you - enjoy your college experience as a growing experience too..... you're right - you're not in high school anymore -

Answer 3

In most classrooms, cell phones are not to be in sight so I think your professor was not out of line on that.

I would check with the chief academic officer of your college to determine whether the teacher has the right to dock your grade for being late. It may be a policy at your college but grades are not usually affected by attendance except that, of course, you could miss something on a test because you were not in class to hear it.

It sounds as if you got off on the wrong foot with this teacher. Your best approach might be to go out of your way to be pleasant with her and to do your best not to do anything that would set her off.

Actually, you should not have been reading your class notes, even in a "good cause" while a class discussion was going on.

Answer 4

Your situation does sound very frustrating.

While I would not suggest that you compromise your principles, I believe that it would be a mistake to "go above her" in the chain of command without first trying some other route. The school must have some sort of counselling office or ombudsman - talk to them first.

Second, while I agree that some teachers can act like martinets, some are just from a different time or culture, and might interpret actions differently than you. What are her principles? Maybe she thinks - based upon _her_ interpretation of your actions - that you want her to compromise her principles. (Then again, she may just be a jerk.)

Finally - and I know I sound like an old man here (sorry) - learning how to deal with somebody like this while in school (and while keeping your cool and your dignity intact) is great practice for post-educational life. As I am sure you are aware, there are a lot of jerks out there, too.

Best of luck

Answer 5

What ever happened to respecting one's teacher?

You actually have the nerve to point out two times when you were NOT doing what you were SUPPOSED to do in class, and you're going to go over your prof's head? Are you insane?

A) No cell phones in class is a rule many profs have. It doesn't matter if you have it on vibrate or not, it shouldn't see the light of a classroom during class time, even if you ARE finished with your work.

B) If you were not actively participating during class discussion, because you needed to look up a word, you weren't paying attention. It's simple. If you had questions, you should have directed them to your instructor.

It's very frustrating to see so many whiny spoiled students complaining about their instructors who are simply doing their jobs.

Your teacher isn't patronizing you. You're just insensitive and spoiled.

Answer 6

You won't get any sympathy from me when you were even LOOKING at your cell phone in class. There is a time and a place and in class you owe her the respect due to a teacher. Cell phones are a necessary evil but we must be respectful. I don't even answer mine when I am in line at the grocery store. I think it is just rude! So as far as you looking at your cell phone in class, yep, she was right. And for you to say it was not distracting anyone is bogus. First of all, How do you know? And second of all...............It distracted HER!

And you would have principles. Not principals. If it ends in PAL it is referring to a person.

Answer 7

Yenno what, almost every kid is going to get a bitchass teacher some time in their life. I'm 19 like you to and going to a community college, but I have yet to run into a intolerable teacher!

I do understand your point of view, it is a bit harsh to be screamed at for literally peeking at your phone, I would do the same!

She is treating you like its middle school, but she shoulnd't. Is she really old? Maybe she was taught to be like that. If not, I suggest go after class and explain (politely) how you feel and that you weren't intending to be rude.

If you want, you can just drop it, and take it again next semester but with another teacher. I hope everything works out okay!

And when you said she penalizes your grade for being late, that normally isn't allowed b/c being late has nothing to do with your grade....I suggest you contact higher authority at your school.