What should I do? Please help!?

Question

I'm currently ranked #3 in my class, I have straight A's on my transcript so far and i'm a Junior in high school. I have run into some conflicts with my AP language teacher this semester and her grading method. I got straight A's in my AP language class last semester but now I have a really mean teacher that insists on criticizing the teaching methods of my former teachers. She has given me a D+ on my first progress report of the semester which has angered me considering I have always had straight A's. I refuse to admit that my in class essays deserve a D. She claims to have graded my essay lightly. This is ridiculous because a D- is not grading lightly. I'm sick of putting an honest effort into my work and her giving me terrible grades that she refuses to change. This lady spends most of the class period discussing her religious and political beliefs.
Now comes the question.....Should I stand up to her the next time she criticizes one of my former teachers and put my grades at risk?

Answer 1

This new teacher is almost certainly at fault, and discussing and telling the class her political and religious beliefs when they are irrelevent, not asked for, or forced even slightly, is wrong, and most likely illegal. I don't know what AP stands for, but I'm pretty sure you can approach the school's headteacher about your concerns. If you find it difficult to talk, try writing down what you would say on a piece of paper and let the teacher read while you're not there. One piece of advice I would give is to try and not approach this teacher if she upsets or frustrates you, as you want to make sure you're absolutely clear. Instead, use the head or find another teacher that you trust and like to help you.

I really hope you get this sorted out, and I would be happy to update this answer if you need to add any additional details or to answer any more questions. A D is so far removed from an A that, unless you were hallucinating the day you wrote the essay, I would say something is up with her grading methods.

Hope that helps,
Simon H

Answer 2

First, let me say that criticizing another teacher is unacceptable as is discussing personal religious beliefs and/or political views. You should complain to an administrator about this teacher doing these things.

However, let's talk about your issue with the grade. I know from past experience that there are always 2 sides to every story. I also know that I have often been in the position of "bad guy" because teachers before me have graded extremely leniently, and the student ends up with an inflated view of his/her abilities. When I come along and grade fairly (according to the department rubric), students are outraged. I've taught students who've submitted 3-page essays with 40+ grammatical errors and were shocked that they received a low C.

I would like to address this from the previous answer you received: "If you really are putting forth the most effort you can possibly give and she's giving you a D, it's time to go above her head and get to the root of the problem."

What does this matter? Unless the school grades according to "effort" (only a couple of schools I know do this), the grade is determined by a standard. If the student doesn't meet that standard, then he or she needs to get help (e.g., tutoring).

So, my advice would be to really evaluate the comments that the teacher has put on your work. Do they have any merit? Are there actually areas that you need to improve on? If so, get the help to improve on those areas.

As for the other stuff (her inappropriate comments in class), that needs to be addressed with an administrator.

Answer 3

Discussing religious and political views in an AP English class is NOT inappropriate. I would argue that it's one of the most important things she could be doing for you all (assuming she's doing it to make you all discuss these things yourself).

As for her grading methods and disrespect for other teachers, I would talk to head of the department about it. This class is supposed to HELP you for college, so having a bad grade might jeopardize your future. Is the problem coming from the work being challenging? Were your former teachers going easy on you? If you really are putting forth the most effort you can possibly give and she's giving you a D, it's time to go above her head and get to the root of the problem. If you're in the majority with other classmates, a handful of you approaching the head of the department is going to be more effective than just you going it alone. If necessary, get your parents involved.

Answer 4

#1- You will always encounter an A***ole as a professor at least once in your life. I did and I have almost survived it.
#2- In order to get that A+, be sure to do EVERYTHING that professor does. Even if they are an idiot. Remember, we want to aim for a high grade.
#3- Review the class syllabus and folllow it closely. Do not stray from it unless the professor wants you to. Be sure to create a checklist according to the syllabus, so if you do have to dispute your grade with the department which she is in, you will be prepared.
#4- See if you can speak to this professor privately and ask her what exactly does she want/expect from her students. And what can you do to make your grade better. If she has any suggestions, you'd greatly appreciate it.
#5 Do not be rude. Rudeness will never get you anywhere! It might just get you an automatic F.
#6-I know it bothers you that she demeans her other co-workers and their teaching methods and how she feels about relgion and pollitics. But in life there are people that are going to tick you off. You have to pick your fights/arguements wisely. Even when you become a teacher, there are going to be co-workers, parents and/or students that wont like or agree with you. but you have to learn to ignore them. This professor that you have is most likely not liked by the other professors and they most likely thinkt hat she is a jerk. She most likely is depressed cause of the lack of friends and has a low self esteem, so to make herself feel better, she puts down other people.
#7- Don't risk your grade. It will just make her feel better about failing you and you will have wasted your time and money having to take the class again. You will have ultimately won the war against her by passing this class!!

Answer 5

As a teacher that came into a similiar situation... your previous teacher may not have been grading up to A.P. Standards. This teacher may actually be bringing you into the harsh reality of the AP grading system. It is not a walk in that park and yes criticizing is wrong however can you honestly say you put a full effort into your work???

Answer 6

I don't think "standing up" is the right approach. Perhaps it would be best to come to her with something like this:
"I really want to do my best in your class, and keeping or excelling my ranking in the class is important. What can I do to achieve those goals?"

It'll work A LOT better if you approach it as something to be solved - not a her versus you situation. Don't attack her and try to stay calm. I know it would be very difficult, but good things rarely come from huge arguments with teachers when there's another route.

Answer 7

on this matter...talk to the principal. you need to be calm, rational, and respectful...it's the ONLY way you will come out ok. you can ask you have your essays graded by a panel of other teachers, anonymously..(you, not them) and see how the essays would be graded.

i do have to say though...i kind of know your type, and i'm not saying it's right...but i do think overly motivated, grade grubby, rank concerned kids can get a touch obnoxious. it's not good for you to be so freaked out and concerned about all of this stuff. you need to relax!! i'm not saying you don't have a point in this matter, you have a very good case. but "refusing" to see your faults, and confronting your teacher in this way are all VERY annoying, and you don't win letters of recommendation by being the class grade mongrel. i'm assuming you want letters...right?

i leave you with this...the well rounded, well LIKED person, gets much further in life, and is much happier, than the person who alienates authority, and lets their teacher drive them crazy.

Answer 8

Your grades are already at risk because this woman is a b**ch!

I'm sure the administration would love to hear about how this woman is wasting classtime talking about her religion and political beliefs - maybe she is teaching the wrong subject. Talk to the school admin, and get your parents involved.

And one more thing: this is going to sound kind of bad coming from an adult like me, but I can't help it. If I were you, I would go complain to all the old teachers she is badmouthing. A little cold shoulder from her colleagues might set her snotty nose back in joint.

Answer 9

Well, it depends on how strongly you believe in your cause. Standing up to her is one option, but if you think for one moment you will not have consequences- other than your grades-, you are sadly mistaken.

How about you weigh other options??? I had a teacher for School Store that messed around with my grades. It was my Senior Year, and I needed this elective to fulfill my required classes. We had only 1 test all semester, and we HAD to pass it to pass the class. It was a test on all the prices of the items in the store. I took that test, like, 13 times, and every time I "failed". But there were discrepancies in the prices. On one test, this shirt was $15.00, on the other, $15.00 was the wrong answer. Where I got him, though, was that he WROTE THE CORRECT ANSWERS ON MY TEST! So when I took my old tests to my Principal, he assured me it would be dealt with, and I would not fail.

In the end, I took the responsible route, and my principal ended up taking the price list and testing me himself, and i got a 100%.

Good luck to you!

Answer 10

Is the issue the quality of your writing, or this person's opinion of your former teachers? By the way: WHY is it important what opinion this person holds about your former teachers?

The next time she criticizes your former teacher - or really expresses any opinion at all - just nod your head and "Wow, I will really have to think about that. Now, back to the topic at hand..."