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.

Answer 1

Even at a university they can penalize you for being late, although most could care less. It's not because they think you're more of an adult at a university - it's because they truly don't give a damn about you or your grade.

Show up on time. Pay full attention when she's speaking. Stop wasting her time. And turn off the phone completely. It's simply rude to look at notes, text, or do anything other than listen. Shows complete disrespect. Everything you've done shows complete disrespect. You should know that by 19.

After your behavior, you don't see the irony in demanding respect?

Answer 2

Speaking as a teacher of students at a university level, I can promise you that I never realized how much a teacher knows about what's going on with the students until I became a teacher.

Frankly, a cell phone can be distracting even if it is on vibrate. The vibrator often makes a sound that others can hear. Even if the phone wasn't audible, people could see you open it and look at it. I mean, your teacher noticed, for example. Not to mention that, even if your classmates weren't distracted by the cell phone, you were, because it took your attention off what you were doing.

Also, a syllabus is not a contract. So there is no contract infringement for something that isn't on the syllabus.

As far as asking you to pay attention when you were looking at your notes, it sounds like an honest mistake. I recommend that you just forgive your teacher and try to get the best out of the class. People make mistakes sometimes. It'll be much better for you if you simply try to have a good attitude about the class and the teacher.

Answer 3

So, if you're 19 and an adult.........then be mature about this:

- In school and at work, it's NOT OK to be late (unless for a plausible reason, which an adult can explain and settle without anger). Does an adult need written rules for that?

- It's concidered rude to read/answer sms if not in your own time. If class is still on, then it's not your own time. "Vibrate" is not the same as "off". Ofcourse a teacher wants her mature pupils to stay focussed until class dismissed.

- About checking your notes, I guess you were right to be upset about that. But maybe because of the sms and the being late, you gave her the impression that you are not all that concentrated.

But, since you're an adult............. you could try and explain that to her after class, in a mature and controlled manner.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Unfortunately, because the policy is in writing before you started the class, the teacher is in the right. She has the autohority to make judgement calls whether or not to allow exceptions, but it's up to her.
The mature thing to do would be approach her after the class and explain what exactly occurred, but technically, "vibrate" does not equal "off" per the syllabus.

You might be able to contest the late penalty, but all the other things are backed up by the syllabus and the judgement of the teacher...whether or not it's perfectly accurate.

The first time you approach her of your own accord, you two can probably work something out, PLUS it shows your maturity and initiative to solve the problem. After you come to some kind of resolution, if you get called on subsequent mistakes, that's all on you. Likewise, if what she does is contrary to what you two resolved, you can (again, after class) approach her and mention that you agreed otherwise.

This method of resolution will be appropriate not only here, but when you get into a professional scenario after school.

Answer 5

Sorry my friend, but if I was taking the time and effort to try and help educate someone and the little oik was taking personal txt's and messages in my time - I would be mighty vexed too.

Sure, it might have been a non-critical moment but that isn't the point. Many young folks of your generation would agree with YOU however .

So long as you are hoping to be employed by a youngster, you might be able to get away with taking a text message during a quiet bit on your job interview. If you are dealing with someone older, I suggest you switch it OFF. Your call though.

Penalizes you for being late? Well I guess if you do her the courtesy of being punctual that problem will just clear up right there and then.

Oh and it's syllabus ;)

Answer 6

With all due respect, your teacher expects your full attention and reading text messages during class is somewhat rude, basically showing your teacher that your message is more important than what she has to say (which it may well be). Late penalties don't need to be in the syllabus. It is a basic rule of school as well as any business that lateness is not acceptable. As for looking in your notes for a definition, you may have a point there; did you say :"sorry, I just needed to see what .... meant"? If so and she still yelled, then I agree with you there.

Answer 7

well as for the cell phone I think the teacher is right...you don't know for certain that others might have wanted to do the same thing when they saw you doing it OR was wondering what you were reading. During class time that really should be for class items not personal time...sorry but that's how it should be. As for going above her if she's not your counselor I would take to them and tell them what's going on...if you have a good one you'd be surprised what could happen after that. As for the being late part she doesn't have to tell you or put it in writing that she will deduct you she could just lock the door at the tone of the clock and count you absent so I would say count yourself lucky that you are only getting deductions and not absences...

Answer 8

Well, I am afraid you will not get much sympathy from me. If the syllabus says no cell phones, that's what it means. The teacher has to maintain control of the class and having students "check" their text messages during class is disrespectful- not only to the teacher but to the other students in class as well. You should be paying attention in class, not checking your text messages.

As for coming in late, I find this to be extremely rude. You are interrupting class and causing a disturbance. When I taught college students, I told them that was my pet peeve. Get to class on time. It shows respect for the teacher, the other students and for yourself- that you care enough to get to class on time.

You say you're 19. Well, start acting like it.

Answer 9

First you are not an adult until you reach 21. Second she is right about the cell phone.

It is your job to meet her expectations, get used to it, or you will have it worse in the real world.

Answer 10

i agree w/ the teacher getting on u for checking ur text-message; unless someone's dying, then it can wait. u should also learn to turn ur papers in on time because if u turn anything in late at ur job, u can get fired. u're paying for that class so u should get the most out of it. u say she yelled at u; that part i DON'T agree with. i say talk to ur counselor if she continues to do it.