Wednesday, September 02, 2009

From The Mouths Of Babes ...

Overheard in the classroom. This quote comes from a highly motivated, smart girl who is frustrated with another teacher, known for hour long monologues and mysterious test questions that often don't relate to the topics being studied.

" Maybe I'll get a 100, because I don't know what's going on in class and that seems to be how you get a 100 on Mr.Doe's tests."

And yet another,

"Her mind is this confusing web of ... like nothing."
That one pertains to a particularly cold, unhelpful math teacher.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Teachers/professors like this are what finally cured me of being a grade-"ho". When I got a B+ in a class for which I had no absences and A grades for all assignments, but didn't attend the class Christmas party at the professor's house, I knew it wasn't just the work that mattered, at least in some classes.
OTOH, it made me *really* appreciate the profs who were serious about their subject and their students' learning.

Susan Humeston said...

I bet you know the teachers who referred to here - and the kids are probably right.

Advisor said...

I bet the teachers read those comments as well...

threecollie said...

Hmmm...we have teachers like that here too. Even at the college level.

amarkonmywall said...

Adolescents often have very keen perceptions and their internal editors aren't yet fully socialized. In general, I find them to be sound critics. Why, just recently, my youngest informed me that she was considering submitting my name for the "What Not To Wear" show on Bravo...

Thunder said...

I had a teacher in high school and a professor in college that were both so full of themselves that I don't even think they knew there were students present during their classes! ;-)

R.Powers said...

Anon,
I know just what you mean and agree wholeheartedly.

Suze,
Oh yeah. No mystery there.

Advisor,
Maybe. If they think it's about them, it probably is.

3C,
Worse at the college level in my opinion.

Vicki,
What? How dare she? LOL!
Yes, the tact filter is always set to full with teens.

Dave,
... don't you love that?
I heard a great little song in a documentary called "Indoctrinate U" last night.
It's called, "Shut Up And Teach"
Loved it.

Miz S said...

You should introduce her to Pink Floyd's Another Brick in the Wall. It will make her feel very validated.

h said...

Way cool. Was This THE SONG:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4FqlsuWV_o

Shut up and Teach by the Right Brothers?

If so I'm proud of the influence Aunty and I are having upon you!

Grrrherhahahhahahaha!

Swampy said...

Unfortunately, both of those quotes could very easily describe so many teachers out there...I know, I taught with some of them.

Anonymous said...

When I was teaching I would see that kind of stuff often. Couple of personal highlights: when teaching middle school a few years back, one year I got voted "most inspiring" by the 8th graders, and the next year "nicest teacher"... for me, that was about all I could ask for! I figure, at that middle school age, if you can be someone who gives them a little nudge to higher thinking and goals for their life, or at least not be a complete jerk, you are doing those kids a great service for the future. At least if they're not ready to grab on to the knowledge/learning mentality then, they won't put up walls to it later! C.F.

R.Powers said...

Miz S,
These kids love classic rock. I'm sure she has it on her 8 track ... um, I mean mp3.

Troll,
Sorry, I've been right in the middle forever. That way I can see the absurdity of both the far left AND the far right from my sensible position.
It is an excellent song however, and the documentary is pretty interesting.

Swampy,
The vast majority I know are hard working and caring, but those few ...

CF,
Well said. Middle schoolers take a special touch.


Lisa,
True.

cinbad122 said...

Was it me???

R.Powers said...

Cindy,
Not hardly!

Lynn said...

Oh yes, I had a chem teacher that only talked abt The Jeffersons (as in the TV show), never did experiments (the WHOLE reason why I took the class to begin with) and yet wondered why half the class failed the tests.