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

First, calm down...when you are agitated, you are not likely to form level-headed decisions. After you have calmed down, tell your teacher you would like to schedule a time to talk to her. She needn't know what it is about on the onset. If she is too busy or disinterested, take your concerns to your principal. Schedule some time with your vice-principal, bring in papers from your last semester, and your current GPA standing. They may not be able to answer your exact questions, but they should be able to ask the teacher to sit down with you and/or the principal and figure out what is going on. Ask how she is grading the essays, what it is she is looking for, and what, in particular was lacking from your essay. It would help tremendously if you knew of any other students in your predicament...Normally A-B students whose GPA's have suffered drastically since being in her class. You could also give your essay (an ungraded copy) to other lit teachers in your school, and ask them what grade they would give. Then show that to the principal, it would be much more likely to cause your principal to raise an eyebrow rather than just complaining...

By all means stand up for yourself...Life lessons are usually best learned now.

Answer 2

A little experiment: Get hold of an A paper (in her class)...study this essay inside out until you know you can write something EXACTLY (style-wise) like that. So the next assignment, that's the kind of essay you should submit. Now if your grade is still D, then we really know this teacher has a personal agenda - he doesn't like you.

So we now call in the reinforcements: Tell your parents about it and they should talk to the principal about this teacher. Let this thing be settled at a higher level.

Under no circumstances should you stand up to this teacher - that's a no-win situation. You're still in high school - that kind of behavior will not (and should not) be tolerated. Right or wrong, she's still the teacher and you are just the student.

Stay cool.....and keep up the good work. Good luck.

Answer 3

This is a sensitive issue. And a perfect example of real life.
Abuse of Power .
In my opinion, No matter what you say to this person you are going to have the effect of a fly to a elephant. Don't say more than you have to her. Even if physically you might be able to beat her purple for abusing you ,in this society this is considered criminal behavior, so try using the other muscle .Brain.
First: do not talk about your problem to other students. They are getting abused as well and feel that you are not better then them so why should you be special?
Unless you have established a loyal courages wise group of friends that can see truth through all bs.(If you have not I suggest to make it a goal for your self in life}
Otherwise,
In the jungle all are to defend them self.
But more than anything you need courage. This grasshopper might be your first test : What you are made of?
Are you going to be a *ss kisser? Or a *ss kicker?
You learned so far how to study well and follow rulles!
So ,you belived that the world will reward you. I cant forget the first time I woke up from that illussion. Iam sorry I wish I had the power to make it be different.
If you really whant to do something about it, or at least have your first try at doing something about it, you have to do research . The first lesson in war ,is know your enemy.
How long has she been at the school? Where else has she been teaching? Has she any priors? Is she friends with the principal. Is she friends with the guidence counclors? who are her enemys in the system?, what do other teachers think about her Find her enemys among the elephants.Find her week points ,she has made mistakes Iam shure of it . Find out what they are.
Go above her make shure all your complaints are in writing.
Involve your parents ,(if they care and are not affraid to make waves) Baisicly in this situation beeing a snitch is only possibility besides being a criminal or a loser. Fine choices we have.
If you are planning to get a scholar ship these is your only option. It you have saivings use them now and pay a shrink to write a report on how her actions have affected you and distroyed you confidance .Also see a lawyer and have him help you make lettere to school Board. If you have no money find a way to write letters your self or go and find and charm a lawyer to go pro bono for you.
This is war ,my friend and if you will no fight it for your self no one else will.
One last thing ,stay calm ,cool and think hard befor anything comes out of your mouth, Who knows maybe not getting a scholar ship will make you find a better way of life.Or maybee
you will do something diffrent something better suited for you.
You know there is so many ways to be happy.
Everything can be a good thing

Sorry about my spelling english is my fifth language and the spell check didnt work.

Answer 4

You need to have a guided discussion with the teacher, a guidance counselor and or a staff administrator.

Do not go off challenging a teacher without merit it will not serve you well.

You need to have recorded attempts to find out about your poor grades.

Have you had a serious conversation with the teacher.
Have you question her about her marking and how she came about the mark you have received.
Mention about the grades you use to receive and how you question that your comprehension could have drop so?
I remember my transition into high school math.
I left Jr. High as a member of the math team always got A's.
I answered with ease, always had excellent test results.
The problem I had with High School was the my grade school results had correct answers with missing steps and that step was crucial in the grading of my high school marks.

I had an English teacher that hated the word "it" and would not allow the aforementioned word to be used in a sentence.
By reading the previous sentence you will see how my use of grammar improved by not taking short cuts.

So you may have developed some bad study habits that your new teacher recognizes and your former teacher did not. This does not mean either of them were bad teachers.

You often only find the truth by asking the right questions, with the right tone of voice.

Leave your ego and emotion out of it.

Answer 5

No you should really not do that. If you feel like your papers are not graded right take them to the school counceler. Your teacher is being very unprofessional. If she has a problem with your past teachers then. she should keep it to herself. It is not your fault if you teachers were or were not wrong. Her job is to give you the best teaching she can and only that. she should also keep her religious beliefs and politics out of the class room it is against the law. Have your parents take the subject to the principal. Call a meeting with her your other teachers. the principal the councelors. bring every one in to proove your case. past history and the present class grades will help your case.

Answer 6

I think you should speak with your teacher about the unfairness of her grading. Ask to speak with her after class and let her know you feel you have done quality work that does not reflect the grades she has been giving you. You could also take copies of your assignments to other teachers and ask them to take a look at the essays to give you feedback. If other teachers seem to think it is good work and your teacher is not willing to discuss the situation with you, then I suggest you approach the school dean, guidance cousnelor or someone with whom you feel comfortable enough explaining your position. I believe you should stand up for your work if you know it is worthy of a better grade, you will encounter professors in college that you may need to argue your way to a fair grade and this will be a good start in standing up for yourself and your efforts. Good luck.

Answer 7

First breath in and breath out...wait..Have you counted to ten yet..? Wow...That sounds a bit harsh now!
How do YOU feel you did on the essay..?
Did you study less or more..?
----------->Religious and political VIEWS..huh!! OUCH...
So is this a Religious school..?
Political view's...She must be a undercover BUSH fan..haha!!
SMILE.....
LIGHTLY <-------- Something has happened between the two of you before this grading problem and obviously it was never resolved in which now she holds a somewhat of a grudge...
I could be wrong but I would bring the attention to maybe the dean or principle and LET them hear you out let them review your essay GET a second opinion..AFTER ALL if you confront her she might just decide to be extra easy on you and giving you a "F" and explain that it stands for fantastic futuristic..
-----> if your essay wasn't as good as you thought..just know it will be NEXT time because you WILL make sure THIS won't happen again...............................................................................

Answer 8

first go to the guidance councilor. see what they can do. then go to the principal.
state your problem with your teacher, her views about the other teacher, her politics, religious beliefs etc and your problem with your grades from her. (your grades will follow you through college. you should not have this stain on your record because you have a conflict with a teacher. demand a transfer to another teacher. also demand that your work and your grades be reevaluated by another teacher or the principal!
your grades speak for themselves.

Answer 9

Yes you should stand up for your rights. I would recommend speaking w/ both your parents and the principle. If you are sketchy about speaking to either of them then go see your counsilor. I am a teacher and I can say from experience that a teacher has NO right down grading another, especially to the students. If you do go to the principle and they he/she kind of just brushes it under the table then I would recommend going to higher power.

Answer 10

Yes I think so...Or go talk to the principle...It's kind of agianst the teaching rules to critize co-workers...Go say I can't learn in an enviorment where my teacher is always talking **** abou other teachers...How is that okay?....Just stand up for yourself, but i would defintelly talk to another teacher or the principal about it!