This is a flashback from my English class I went to yesterday morning.
Walk into class. Teacher has us move desks into a circle, for discussion. Teacher intends to talk to us about an article only 2 students had read (due to assignment confusion). We end up talking about whether or not guys should wear yoga pants for 10 minutes. I know-- WHAT?!
Teacher ends up continuing the enlightening conversation by asking students to raise their hands if they're enjoying the class so far. All but myself and Angie, a friend sitting next to me raise their hands. Teacher singles out Ang, asking her if she didn't raise her hand.
Ang: "No, I didn't."
-class gets completely quiet-
Teacher: "Well, why not? You don't enjoy this class?"
Ang: "Honestly, no I don't."
Teacher: "Well why not? Is it the assignments or is it me?"
Ang: doesn't answer
Teacher: "Is it the assignments you don't like?"
Ang: "No, the assignments are fine."
Teacher: "Oh, so it's me you don't like."
Ang: "I didn't say that and I don't appreciate being put on the spot in front of the whole class!"
Teacher: "Well what don't you like? What would you change?"
Ang: "I'm not comfortable talking about this right now. You're the teacher and what you decide to do, I will follow. I just think the classes could be a little more productive, like right now I could be doing homework instead of just talking about random things in here."
Teacher: "Well, I'm disappointed about this. We'll call class quits for today since we really can't get anything done (since nobody had done the reading for discussion.)
It was about a 20 minute long class. Since when is it ok for teachers to ask their classes to raise their hands if they're enjoying the class? That's what evaluations are for at the end of the semester. Singling people out too? And asking them why they don't enjoy the class, in front of the entire class? I'm sorry, but not ok. That easily could have been me, as I was the other person who didn't raise my hand. I understand that she is a graduate student teacher and doesn't have a lot of experience, but isn't that just common sense? I think my standards for people in general are just too high...
2 comments:
The teacher was being a jerk. I'd recommend lying. "Oh, the class is great! My arm just hurts." After grades are in, hammer the teacher on the anonymous comment card. Sadly, your classmate's grade will probably be affected now.
I really appreciated Angie's honesty from the story, though I agree with you. It is NOT professional for a teacher to single students out like that. In any way actually. It just shows her lack of confidence and her need to have people like her. Sounds like a teacher who is acting out of woundedness, not out of professionalism or wisdom. Sorry you and Angie had to go through that.
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