What should I do with my English teacher?

Question

I have this one English teacher that teaches me 20-ish periods a week. I had her last year for Cooking, and to say the least she's, "unhelpful". This year I have for English, Science, Geography, and Drama. She yells every class, about anything; from garbage to lack of effort. I admit I have been kicked out of class once or twice, but since September.
Thursday's is her worst day, she teaches 7 periods and 2 classes. She can't stand kids after lunch, and yells at us. Our other teachers politely tell us to do push-ups and that's it. Why can't she be like that?
It's not just my class either, I can ask kids from grade 8-12 and they'll remember her, and her rants. She usually loves me and wishes I was in High School already (I agree). She ALWAYS tells our class she wishes our school was a boot camp. What should I do to handle such people?

**I am ~usually~ polite to her. I have that "Yes Ma'am, No Ma'am" thing with her.

Edit** I'm from a small town in Ontario, canada

Answer 1

Okay, I am going to answer this in a totally different way than everyone else has answered it. To begin with I want you to show a bit of that maturity that seems to be there in your question. To be truly mature, and it seems like you are, you need to be able to put yourself in the other person's place.

First, it sounds like this is an amazingly knowledgeable teacher. In most parts of the country a teacher teaches one thing, and this woman sounds like she knows a great many subjects and knows a tremendous amount.

Secondly, this teacher is not there to entertain, she is there to instruct. When she yells at you for the garbage on the floor and lack of effort, is she really telling you anything wrong? Absolutely not. She is, in her own way, showing that she cares a great deal about you and about what is going on in the classroom and in the school.

As to why she is a bit tense and over the edge at students after lunch, there is a very specific reason. Have you ever sat back and watched how students behave after they come in from lunch? It is completely different than the classes in the morning.

Put yourself in her shoes. Be willing to learn from her.

And please, remember that teachers have a very difficult task. It isn't easy when students show disrespect by trashing a room or show a lack of effort. Accept that she really does want to help you and any frustration she shows is actually her way of letting you know that she cares.

I'd really like to disagree with the other comments and answers on this page. My guess is that these are from students or adults who have never seen themselves as teachers and don't know the true value of a person of knowledge and a person who cares. They would much rather make a joke of it all, and then whine when they have failed to learn.

This woman can teach you a lot. Let her!

Answer 2

Wow. I taught for several years, and was kinda hard-core on the discipline thing, but this woman sounds like a first rate shrew.

I am betting that she is not a very happy person in general and that she gets to take it out on you. Sooooo... here is my 4 step process for dealing with the queen beee0+ch...

1) Don't prove her right. Keep up the tough job of being polite and doing your part right,

2) Do some research on what the school's policies are. Know the rules of the game that you want to win.

3) Document breaches in policy. Write down date, time, location, witnesses and actions.

4) Decide whether or not its worth the fight... is it worth getting noticed as that kid? If it is, do you homework, make your case, and stand up for yourself.

Good luck.

Answer 3

personally sounds like the teacher is oyt of her depth.

at that age I would have told what I thought of her and what she was doing.

I ended up in front of the head of year, and I explained the situation to my surprise she agreed and theissues I had were ressolved.

Make sure you know your case ad confront the teacher ( no guns please) and tell her what you think and that its botherig you and how can you ressolve the issue between you.

Be warned it could be a bumpy ride but she will appreciate it longer term.

Answer 4

she needs to be fired! she is stressed oiut and needs some time off, or to be fired for her rotten attitude towards the kids! maybe she gets drunk in off hours and is an alcoholic!

Answer 5

well if its really that bad u should take it up with the school board.

Answer 6

Burnout, it is probably time for her to retire

Answer 7

try moving to a different part of Arkansas...