Rant about teacher (swearing!)

Discussion:

(too old to reply)

Rachel

2005-03-22 13:34:47 UTC

I have 2 French teachers who share teaching the A2 syllabus. One is fine,
the other.. well, she's also assistant head of the school (it's a 6th form),
she teaches lots of languages, and she's basically the stereotypical
extremely busy "career woman".

About 30% of the lessons we are meant to have, she hasn't attended them, due
to a meeting or whatever. Last week, she was in for half a lesson (we have 3
per week with this teacher). The other week, she didn't turn up for any. I
can't remember the last time she turned up for a full week.

When she doesn't bother to come in, she either sets us a mountain of work to
do, or nothing at all - and then sets us the missed lesson's work PLUS
normal homework, in the next lesson. We're expected to do all this in the
space of a couple of days. Not to mention the fact that it is harder to
learn the stuff when you're not being TAUGHT it - it is a language after
all!

So then the cheeky bitch decides to schedule extra lessons with us (the
class is only me and one other girl) because we're *behind*! Well, no shit!

We were meant to have an extra lesson today, and I didn't bother going -
perhaps I'm just punishing myself in some way because I'm missing out on
teaching, but she should be there in our normal lessons! 30 mins after the
lesson finishes, my mum gets a call on her mobile with the teacher
complaining about me.

Fucking cheek.

I'm going to see her tomorrow (mum included - as I know that if I go on my
own, she'll turn it all into MY fault) and hopefully get something done
about it. If she couldn't teach us properly, why has she taken on the
responsibility of our lessons?

Rant over - sorry. Hope it was entertaining, anyway... *g*

Rachel.

Samsonknight

2005-03-22 17:56:36 UTC

Permalink

Post by Rachel
I have 2 French teachers who share teaching the A2 syllabus. One is fine,
the other.. well, she's also assistant head of the school (it's a 6th form),
she teaches lots of languages, and she's basically the stereotypical
extremely busy "career woman".
About 30% of the lessons we are meant to have, she hasn't attended them, due
to a meeting or whatever. Last week, she was in for half a lesson (we have 3
per week with this teacher). The other week, she didn't turn up for any. I
can't remember the last time she turned up for a full week.
When she doesn't bother to come in, she either sets us a mountain of work to
do, or nothing at all - and then sets us the missed lesson's work PLUS
normal homework, in the next lesson. We're expected to do all this in the
space of a couple of days. Not to mention the fact that it is harder to
learn the stuff when you're not being TAUGHT it - it is a language after
all!
So then the cheeky bitch decides to schedule extra lessons with us (the
class is only me and one other girl) because we're *behind*! Well, no shit!
We were meant to have an extra lesson today, and I didn't bother going -
perhaps I'm just punishing myself in some way because I'm missing out on
teaching, but she should be there in our normal lessons! 30 mins after the
lesson finishes, my mum gets a call on her mobile with the teacher
complaining about me.
Fucking cheek.

Yeah, I know exactly how you feel. Two years ago, for AS Mathematics, the
guy who was teaching us pure mathematics was never in, and when he was, he
had to rush through the P1 module. Whereas the guy who was responsible for
teaching the applied units was always in college.

Anyway, as you can imagine (not that I do till this day think I would have
passed even if he was in, due to reasons in previous threads), but for the
other students (who had much stronger foundations) - him not being in for
2/3rds of the year due to medical problems (he was a nice teacher, nothing
like the one you describe above), probably did have an affect on the
progression of the other students in the subject. This was clearly
highlighted by loads of people failing at the end of the year.

Though ironically, when the results did come out, the blame goes onto
student X for not trying hard enough and whatever the teachers part to play
in it - is totally dismissed, because people will assume student X is
putting all his/her blame on X Teacher. Which I guess is a valid point in
the respect if one follows the philosophy "where there is a will there is a
way", however with subjects such as Mathematics, and languages, though it's
not impossible to learn mathematics by yourself, it helps being taught the
mathematical concepts. Unless of course, you are the type of student, like
myself currently that goes through 6 different text books until you finally
understand the concept by yourself, which is ideal for most students to do,
but I am afraid it is not what most students do. As for languages, I guess
being taught it is the only way to progress, as it is one thing
reading/writing a language, it is quiet another speaking it fluently with
great accuracy.

But yes, to sum it up from what you have said, your teacher is bang out of
order and if this problem is not resolved anytime soon, you will have to
face the consequences of failing (which I really hope does not happen, not a
nice feeling). Whereas your teacher, the *career woman*, will be making
loads of dosh from her career and teaching at the same time and probably
would blame you for your failure.

Put a stop to this by complaining to the head of department - make sure you
get a large number of students to support your cause, otherwise they would
dismiss you as being the "only one with the problem and will take her side
due to her being the one with a great amount of experience", if that does
not work, go directly to the head of 6th form or head teacher. If that does
not work, then try your hardest to learn what you can in your free time by
going through various text books for that language and just prove her wrong.
If it comes to that, then you know it is a shame you have to work in a very
independent manner, as the purpose of going to college in the first place is
greatly undermined. It's not like teachers have to do loads of research work
like University lecturers have to do! They simply have no excuse but to yes,
teach.

Good luck.

BWGames

2005-03-22 20:59:49 UTC

Permalink

I had a similar situation with one of my ICT teachers.
He was patronising, didn't actually know anything about the subject he was
teaching etc, wheras the other teacher (who we only had once a fortnight)
was much better and knew his stuff.
E.g, our textbook, "Oooh class, look at page X, there's a picture of me
using a electronic registration system!".

Eventually, virtually the WHOLE classes of both Year 12 and 13 complained
to the principal (walked into his office and had a meeting).

Result? Nothing. He's still there now, and the prime reason why I dropped
ICT after AS.

--
BWGames
to email change de.news to de-news

Samsonknight

2005-03-22 21:55:19 UTC

Permalink

Post by BWGames

I had a similar situation with one of my ICT teachers.
He was patronising, didn't actually know anything about the subject he was
teaching etc, wheras the other teacher (who we only had once a fortnight)
was much better and knew his stuff.
E.g, our textbook, "Oooh class, look at page X, there's a picture of me
using a electronic registration system!".
Eventually, virtually the WHOLE classes of both Year 12 and 13 complained
to the principal (walked into his office and had a meeting).
Result? Nothing. He's still there now, and the prime reason why I dropped
ICT after AS.

Good that you dropped it, as you would be more likely to underperform due to
lack of motivation, rather then anything else. ICT is easy, just hard to
plough through the content.

Post by BWGames
--
BWGames
to email change de.news to de-news

Ironically, I complained about my ex-ICT teacher for exactly the same
reasons above. Her teaching methods were poor, exactly like you have
described above "Ok class turn to page 54 of the White text book by
Heathecote and copy and paste notes", on top of that the material for the
AS/A2 coursework she gave to the class was a pile of dung. For AS we were
given a booklet, that gave us instructions on how to do the coursework, and
for the Implementation section of the booklet (Which carries the most
marks), only one page was written for it!!! So as you can imagine, the
'bright' people were getting full marks on everything else except
Implementation section, which as it carried the most marks brung our
coursework grades, well mine to a B overall at AS.

For the A2 coursework, we were given another booklet that was a pile of
dung. So in order not to make the same mistake I just went and used another
text book that is written by the examiners as a guide instead. I got an A
for that coursework. Others had faith in that booklet and it cost them
dearly.

Anyway, before A2 I complained about her to the head of department, I said
to HOD that she can't be teaching ICT to the class because her teaching
methods are poor, from the material she gives out to the actual teaching -
people are bunking lessons because they found her demoralising and for a
subject as dire as ICT - that is bad news!
I got told by the HOD, "That I should do computing (even though my 6th form
didn't offer it) and not to question her authority or get the hump if I am
finding ICT boring". When all I was trying to do is put across the point
that ICT can be made interesting, if there is some effort put into the
teaching methods.

At the end of A2, the final results finally made the 6th form department
realise about the dire state of ICT at that 6th form, only 2 people got a B,
3 people got a C over all, the rest which made up the majority got D's and
E's. They've now stopped doing AL ICT at AL! Which is probably a good thing!

Rachel

2005-03-22 21:45:32 UTC

Permalink

<snip>

She IS the head of 6th form too, heh. She's not head of department for
French though... the person who is, is my other french teacher. :)

Post by Samsonknight
If that does
not work, then try your hardest to learn what you can in your free time by
going through various text books for that language and just prove her wrong.
If it comes to that, then you know it is a shame you have to work in a very
independent manner, as the purpose of going to college in the first place is
greatly undermined. It's not like teachers have to do loads of research work
like University lecturers have to do! They simply have no excuse but to yes,
teach.
Good luck.

Thanks Samson, good to know I'm not the only one who gets this crap...

John Porcella

2005-03-22 22:01:31 UTC

Permalink

Post by Samsonknight
But yes, to sum it up from what you have said, your teacher is bang out of
order and if this problem is not resolved anytime soon, you will have to
face the consequences of failing (which I really hope does not happen, not a
nice feeling). Whereas your teacher, the *career woman*, will be making
loads of dosh from her career and teaching at the same time and probably
would blame you for your failure.

I never thought that I would see the words "making loads of dosh" and
"teaching" in the same sentence.

Post by Samsonknight
Put a stop to this by complaining to the head of department - make sure you
get a large number of students to support your cause, otherwise they would
dismiss you as being the "only one with the problem and will take her side
due to her being the one with a great amount of experience", if that does
not work, go directly to the head of 6th form or head teacher. If that does
not work, then try your hardest to learn what you can in your free time by
going through various text books for that language and just prove her wrong.
If it comes to that, then you know it is a shame you have to work in a very
independent manner, as the purpose of going to college in the first place is
greatly undermined. It's not like teachers have to do loads of research work
like University lecturers have to do! They simply have no excuse but to yes,
teach.

Not quite right! She is the assistant head of the sixth form, so will be
expected to deal with some emergencies.

--
MESSAGE ENDS.
John Porcella

Rachel

2005-03-22 22:34:01 UTC

Permalink

Post by John Porcella

not

Post by John Porcella
a

Post by Samsonknight
nice feeling). Whereas your teacher, the *career woman*, will be making
loads of dosh from her career and teaching at the same time and probably
would blame you for your failure.

I never thought that I would see the words "making loads of dosh" and
"teaching" in the same sentence.

Post by Samsonknight
Put a stop to this by complaining to the head of department - make sure

you

Post by Samsonknight
get a large number of students to support your cause, otherwise they would
dismiss you as being the "only one with the problem and will take her side
due to her being the one with a great amount of experience", if that does
not work, go directly to the head of 6th form or head teacher. If that

does

Post by Samsonknight
not work, then try your hardest to learn what you can in your free time by
going through various text books for that language and just prove her

wrong.

Post by Samsonknight
If it comes to that, then you know it is a shame you have to work in a

very

Post by Samsonknight
independent manner, as the purpose of going to college in the first

place

Post by John Porcella
is

Post by Samsonknight
greatly undermined. It's not like teachers have to do loads of research

work

Post by Samsonknight
like University lecturers have to do! They simply have no excuse but to

yes,

Post by Samsonknight
teach.

Not quite right! She is the assistant head of the sixth form, so will be
expected to deal with some emergencies.

These emergencies are dealt with during our lesson time - on Thursday, some
lad broke some glass in a picture frame in the common room. She then left to
deal with it (hence, she was only here for half the lesson).

Post by John Porcella
--
MESSAGE ENDS.
John Porcella

Samsonknight

2005-03-23 01:49:47 UTC

Permalink

Post by John Porcella

I never thought that I would see the words "making loads of dosh" and
"teaching" in the same sentence.

Just re-read the OP, I misread it, I was under the illusion that this
assistant head had 2 careers!!! Teaching beind her side career, and another
career being the one where she makes "loads of dosh"...oops!

Post by John Porcella

Post by Samsonknight
Put a stop to this by complaining to the head of department - make sure

you

does

Post by Samsonknight
not work, then try your hardest to learn what you can in your free time by
going through various text books for that language and just prove her

wrong.

Post by Samsonknight
If it comes to that, then you know it is a shame you have to work in a

very

Post by Samsonknight
independent manner, as the purpose of going to college in the first place

Post by Samsonknight
greatly undermined. It's not like teachers have to do loads of research

work

Post by Samsonknight
like University lecturers have to do! They simply have no excuse but to

yes,

Post by Samsonknight
teach.

Not quite right! She is the assistant head of the sixth form, so will be
expected to deal with some emergencies.

Yeah, true. Although the head of sixth form at my old 6th form, always did
make time for his business studies lessons and inspired students to do well.

Post by John Porcella
--
MESSAGE ENDS.
John Porcella

Ian/Cath Ford

2005-03-22 20:21:48 UTC

Permalink

Post by Rachel
Fucking cheek.

Yeah, that's probably about right. Sometimes it can't be helped - I've
missed 3 lessons today and will miss 4 tomorrow to be out on
fieldwork. But that's once in a moon time.

Post by Rachel
I'm going to see her tomorrow (mum included - as I know that if I go on my
own, she'll turn it all into MY fault)

<snip>

OK, if the appointment isn't scheduled to be with your mother then *go
on your own*. It will almost certainly end up being your fault anyway
- you know what teachers are like :-)

I'd also suggest that you go with a solution that will work (or a
range of solutions). This close to exams you will need to have lessons
at some time. If she's not able to get to the lessons that are
scheduled then they need to be flexibly rescheduled. You know that
you're going to have to agree with that, which puts your protest today
in some perspective.

On that, you need to make clear that you knew very well what you were
doing and that you did it to bring the issue to a head. You know you
were wrong to do so, but it was more important that have a meeting to
clear the air and set some sort of process in place for the future
etc.

Be wary of assistant deputy head types. I've only ever met one that
I've liked. They can be right sneaky bastards.

Ian

--
Ian, Cath, Eoin and Calum Ford
Beccles, Suffolk, UK

I loved the word you wrote to me/But that was bloody yesterday

There's no e-mail address. We can talk here and go back to your place later

Rachel

2005-03-22 21:48:09 UTC

Permalink

Post by Ian/Cath Ford

Post by Rachel
Fucking cheek.

Yeah, that's probably about right. Sometimes it can't be helped - I've
missed 3 lessons today and will miss 4 tomorrow to be out on
fieldwork. But that's once in a moon time.

Post by Rachel
I'm going to see her tomorrow (mum included - as I know that if I go on my
own, she'll turn it all into MY fault)

<snip>
OK, if the appointment isn't scheduled to be with your mother then *go
on your own*. It will almost certainly end up being your fault anyway
- you know what teachers are like :-)

Hmm. I'm torn between going with my mother and going on my own. I just don't
know if I would have the charisma (or whatever) to get my point of view
across :/

Post by Ian/Cath Ford
I'd also suggest that you go with a solution that will work (or a
range of solutions). This close to exams you will need to have lessons
at some time. If she's not able to get to the lessons that are
scheduled then they need to be flexibly rescheduled. You know that
you're going to have to agree with that, which puts your protest today
in some perspective.

Good idea. Thanks for that - if I say that I'm flexible with my lessons
(which I am) then she can't complain..

Post by Ian/Cath Ford
On that, you need to make clear that you knew very well what you were
doing and that you did it to bring the issue to a head. You know you
were wrong to do so, but it was more important that have a meeting to
clear the air and set some sort of process in place for the future
etc.
Be wary of assistant deputy head types. I've only ever met one that
I've liked. They can be right sneaky bastards.

Well, this one flounces around with her Gucci handbags and flirts with all
the 6th form boys... lol

Thanks for your advice, much appreciated!

R

Serenity

2005-03-22 21:55:09 UTC

Permalink

Post by Rachel
Hmm. I'm torn between going with my mother and going on my own. I just don't
know if I would have the charisma (or whatever) to get my point of view
across :/

Go with your mother and have an agenda written up before hand.
List the times you've had to miss lessons because of her absence. Be
precise.
Think about a suitable outcome before you attend, so that you can spell out
the problem and suggest a solution.
Keep a record of what is said. Type it up and let her have a copy.

Good luck.
S

Ian/Cath Ford

2005-03-23 20:42:59 UTC

Permalink

Post by Rachel
Hmm. I'm torn between going with my mother and going on my own. I just don't
know if I would have the charisma (or whatever) to get my point of view
across :/

So, what happened then???