Which are better teachers?

Question

Last year (1st semester) I had all the hard teachers and I got B's and few A's. Then (2nd semester) I switched into all the "easy" less demanding teachers who give less work and have low expectations. (same classes, just different teachers).

I've noticed my GPA from a 3.5 to a 4.0 because of teacher change.

But I have also noticed I was not working hard for grades and learning nothing in class.

Some kids say it's better to have easy teachers, because easy teachers tend to be less demanding and more leniant. which can lower stress. They give students higher grades, which raises GPA and "class rank"

Some kids say it's better to get harder teachers, even though they can give you a lower grade, make you work, and lower your GPA and class rank; because harder teachers tend to prepare you for the SAT and ACT. They also say easy teacher don't teach you as much and won't prepare you for college.

Answer 1

If you do not have weighted grades, the easier classes will be more tempting. I, for one, hated the few classes I took that were easier. The other students in there with me often cared little or nothing for learning and made it difficult for me to learn anything that I would need even in the classes that followed. Also, since the teacher had lower expectations, this was allowed to go on. I took honors and AP after that and never regretted it: I was among people closer to my level of interest AND ability.

Class rank and GPA are big determining factors for scholarships and entrance into competitive colleges, and often SAT/ACT scores (though scores are counting less and less, I think these days, some schools turning from them entirely). But colleges also look at the courses you took. They do look for honors courses, to see if you challenged yourself. Of course they don't know teachers by name, so if it's really just the demands of individual teachers you're talking about, they'll never know if you challenged yourself.

Good luck finding the balance and getting into a good school.

Answer 2

That's a tough question because you can never tell which teacher is making it look easy and even fun. Some teachers can give you a whole lot more than the standard stuff to learn. You walk away with good scores plus a ton of other information you will keep and use forever. Other teachers make it really challenging and bust your little fanny to learn EVERYTHING. And you do. But you forget it right after the test. It's not the grade or how hard it looks, it's what you walk away with. It's how much of yourself you dedicate to the actual accumulation of knowlege and your ability to apply knowlege on a higher level. That's what you get out of it.
Which is better? A student who applies himself or a student who measures himself by his scores?.

Answer 3

The teachers I'm most grateful for are the ones who made me work for it. They took me out of my comfort zone but had high expectations for me. I might seem biased because I'm now a teacher myself, but it's the honest truth. I'm much prouder of the low B's I've made but worked my butt off for than I am of the A's that took very little effort on my part. The thing about expectations is that if they're realistic, they'll be met. What's the point in setting them low when you can set them higher and have them be achieved? I watched some Dateline-type show last year about kids who were valedictorians of their high schools and experienced massive culture shock when they went off to college and realized how incredibly unprepared they were compared to their peers. They weren't anything but outraged at their educational experiences. If you're interested enough in the topic to ask the question here, it must mean you value your education. So dig the teachers who push you...Even though there's nothing wrong with taking easier classes your last semester senior year. I took nothing but electives and had a blast.

Answer 4

GPA doesn't count all that much in the big picture. Most schools who say they look mainly at GPA really pay more attention to ACT/SAT's and application letters. I've been told by quite a few recruiters that they look more for a student who will persevere for the benefit of knowledge than a student who hasn't ever gotten a B. Keep in mind though that you get out of a class what you put into it.

Answer 5

it sounds like you already know the answer to this...the ethical answer. i think it's wrong to deny yourself the satisfaction of hard work, and really learning things. this will pay off HUGE later in life, trust me. if you start working hard now, not only will hard work seem easier later, but you'll be infinitely more prepared for the "real world"

think about it...say you get that 4.0 from the easy teacher and get into Yale. but when you get to Yale, you realize you don't actually have the knowledge to stay there!! you didn't learn a lot, you weren't used to working hard, and you fail out....or flip out...which is common in college.

the other scenario...you get a 3.5 but you are kick butt smart and you know how to work hard. so...you bust your butt, ace the SAT's, write a killer college entrance essay, rock the interviews, andn get into Yale anyways. by this time you are already used to working really hard, and that work has paid off. you start your freshman year and are surprised to see that you just have to kick it up a notch or two...but it's a surprisingly easy transition.

so...stick with the challenging teachers. they are usually the ones who really care about you and want you to learn....AND they tend to write the best recommendation letters for college, because they really DO care about you. they also tend to have more connections to help you out.

Answer 6

it all depends on you. The standard should not be the teachers but you. what do you want to achieve? are you planning to do better in your performance? if you think you can then choose the one that will give you the best norm for learning. I suggest you mixed your teachers. some, the easy ones to remind you that you need discipline and some the hardere ones to remind you that you also needed to be push so that you are able to attain something. bonnèe courage!

Answer 7

In my opinion the more demanding teachers would be the way to go. That is if you learn the material. Grades are only important while you still go to school, knowledge lasts a lifetime.

Answer 8

go ahead, take the cake classes, get the 4.0 gpa... then when you get into a good college you'll flunk out because you have not been properly prepared. or take the harder classes, get a couple B's (or work harder and still get that 4.0) and actually be able to succeed in college.

Answer 9

Let me ask you a question. Are you wanting to learn or are you wanting the grade? How much responsibility for your learning are you willing to take? Can you take the best of both? Learn and get the good grades too.

Answer 10

Harder teachers because it's a bad thing to get used to even though easy teachers are nice...