Okay folks, here is the situation. From the beginning this professor, has been on my case. If he gets angry at what I ask, I get frustrated that he doesnt understand what I am saying... his voice gets loud, and I get defensive.

He begins to tell me, " This is the what we went over the first week. " " you might need to spend a day on learning math" I told him I cant spend a whole day. I told him, I have done all the home work he has given us, and even used the " help me solve button" to understand the process. ( my home work is on the computer.)

I dont know how to handle this situation. I dont know if I should talk to him on Friday . Do I go to the chain of command.... What do I do.


I told him I finanally bought to book to help. He said, " why are we even discussing this then if you have the book." Isnt he the teacher? I thought he was suppose to teach, and go over concepts even if I am asking about material from the 2 nd week. Help!:(

hugs Chris..I have no suggestions sorry...

AC, I just realized he does this after class-what a poop. Try taking someone with you one time and see what happens-husband, male friend are best-they usually act very differently, if he does the same, you would have a witness too!

Ah, welcome to the university-not all professors can teach. They are not taught to teach-reality and not right. You could make it worse for yourself if you go up the chain-word gets back to them and it could affect your grade. If it is really that bad, start recording/documenting what is happening, then if you have grade problems, you have proof that you tried to get help and his responses etc.

Best bet AC-get a tutor. Most colleges have a tutoring center. No you should not be treated like this but his behavior is all to common. And no fun to deal with.

Try to avoid questions in class-he sounds like he is clueless as to how to help you and his reactions cannot make you feel very good and his ego does not like admitting a student is having problems. Their egos are very large and very fragile sometimes. Write down the things you are not understanding or highlight them or something. Then get help during his office hours instead of after class if you can-he may want to go home or somewhere, from a fellow student, or with a tutor.

One other thing, is this the only math you need? If so good! If not, would it help to be tested for dyscalcula-math learning disability? I have the same problem with math.

BTW-I had several professors like this. It is best to just stay quiet in class. Perhaps one of your classmates can help you?

Best to you and the wonders of academia!
ME-VI

Chris

My suggestion is too TRY to talk to him and if he dont respond in a better manor,go talk to a school counselor and see what they can do. Can you switch instructors? I do not understand instructors like that at all. Your in college and get treated like a child,i have had a few like that but i either just blew them off and did what was needed too make my studies sucessful (like go above the teachers head and talk to someone that could help you out). If you need any more advice please feel free to pm me or write back on this thread.
I would not let this professor stress you to the point of giving up cause trust me there are professor that do care and will help you out.

Thanks VI,,, No this is not the only math class I have to take, I need to do well in this class to go on to the teaching math class. The class on how to teach math to elementary students.

I think he bring up stuff from my past when I had a teacher in class tell me, " We dont need these water works" Yeah I was crying in class, because of what he said, Toaday , i cried after he left and went tot he disability office , the counselor could not speak to me, I needed to vent, I talked to Mike in the tutoring office he is the head of the tutoring.

I want to like math, I do like math. I dont like the class he treats us like first graders, and then lets us out 30 minutes early instead of using all of class time. I dont get it. How can teacher be like that to their students.

it is okay, tracey. it was nice that you responded. Sometimes we dont know how to handle or have the information to help the person. I am thankful you looked at the thread. Thanks for you support.

BIG hugs Chris. I totally understand what you are feeling,i had a professor like this and it did make it stressful, VERY much so but dont let him ruin your career.Go talk to someone and see what can be done.

Thanks Liz... YOu are right , about not letting him ruin my career. I felt like dropping out today... of college.

I came home and my dog was happy to see me. I took a nap and thing are a little better not as hurt inside as I was earlier. Still hurt inside though, I cant believe there are teacher like that, he isnt that way with other that I know of .

Oh I totally understand,this is only my 3rd term and i have had those thoughts go through my head a few times. Please do not let him do that to you though.There is a jerk in every crowd i believe but please dont give up. I do know it is hard,i really do. I would try too get too school a little earlier if you are able and go talk to someone. I do not understand when a teacher treats one or two like they are not worth a dime and not others.If the teacher has a problem with someone they should talk with them not make them feel like a failure in front of the whole class.From what you have said this teacher is a real butt and i hope you can get something done about it really soon.


Big hugs !!!

I am so sorry this is happening. Been there too Chris-the tears even. He probably can't handle the tears. Many men can't. Pm me and I can tell you what happened to me lately and some of it had to do with tears.

I had an art teacher like that in college-I had an A in the first class with him-no probs, but the second class a C-I was in tears like you because I didn't understand something. He got mad at me and this was his revenge. Yes, it brought back past humiliation by teachers in grade school. Very triggering for me.

Do you take anything for anxiety? If you do, take it for this class, it could really help. I wonder if you get anxious because of his treatment of you based on your ADD and past experiences and guess what? The anxiety makes it even harder to understand the math as you too well know. Sounds like you can do math-I can't.

BTW-I don't think this class means you will have trouble teaching elementary math. If I can teach math as a sub on the spur of the moment to elementary students-and I suck at math-it will not be a problem. Plus you will understand your students better and have a lot of patience. Look at part of it this way, you are learning what not to do as a teacher.

If he knows you have a disability and treats you like this, OMG, he could get into trouble possibly.

If he is ending class early-you may have a valid complaint-I would go to the disability office and also think about going to the ombudsman's office-if they have one. They intervene in things like this. I went once and they can really help.

Keep this line in mind-it helps me with people like this, DON'T LET THE BA*TARDS WIN! Itmight be hard, but try to concentrate your focus to learning the math and realize this guy is a jerk and is not going to change. Spending your energy being mad at him will only hurt you. So get even with him and concentrate on the math and do it well just to prove him wrong.

I only give you this suggestion because I have had to do it too many times and am doing it in the situation I am facing now. I have to tell myself everyday and hour that I am a good teacher, the situation was toxic. Otherwise I get so anxious and think my career future is ruined. It is hard, but the only way to get through it with your esteem intact.

I hope this helps a little bit. BIG HUGS and don't let him have any power over your dreams!
ME-

Sounds abusive.

Talk to the counsellours at your Student Counselling office and Disability Office.

Bullies need to be stopped.

I think he has developed a "mindset" about you...I'm not sure that much more talking to him on your part will yield a different response on his part -- he needs a wakeup call.

If you cannot get help from the tutor sufficient to help you improve your underestanding, then I agree with QueensU girl and see the disability office and counselling.

Don't give up on your education on just one course and one ignorant person, PLEASE! You've been accepted to the college, you have a right to get the best modes/means of education possible to help you.

hope this gets sorted out
cs

sorry but you should complaine simply as that his/her behaver is unacaplable an should not be taken lighly ive had that...an much more...iam in porcassed ofve sicaly thinking about takening my edacation bood to corut so.....i dont went you to end were iam 20years later....

i wishs you more luck than you know an iam thinking about you in this hard time

dorm

Sounds like a prick. I feel for you ... my freshman year, I almost dropped out of college, because I couldn't do the dumbest math they had: "Finite Math." Then I realized I could drop the class and take logic, instead, which I found easy. Sounds like you don't have that option. Unless you're really disrupting the class, I'd say he's out of line. He should simply say, "see me after class" then suggest where you can get whatever help you need to stay up to speed. If it were me, I'd probably keep quiet, look for a tutor, then let it all hang out when you do his evaluation. But the administration would probably take your grievance seriously if you made one.

Chris, how are you doing today?

auntchris,
I'm a college prof (not math) and I just wanted to say how awful stories like yours make me feel about some of my asinine colleagues' behavior. Nobody has the right to treat you like that in class or after class! I agree that going up the chain of command might seem risky for your grade and all, but this guy has to be told that he shouldn't be doing that kind of crap. Maybe at the end of the semester you can lodge a formal complaint with the department or at the dean's level, especially if you document it all now and take steps to learn the material on your own or with the help of a tutor. Where I teach the higher ups DO take complaints like that seriously and will let the profs know that they are acting out of line. Good luck and don't give up hope because of one crappy prof!
-g

Thank you all so much. I have been wanting to get back to you school has been crazy. Last Thursday my modem died on me... Ugh!!!! I called ATT and they sent me out a new one. This is the first time I have been on the internet since thursday... Wow I cant believe al the replies... my heart is a flutter.


Hey RADD, VI any other nickname? I am doing okay, a little overwhelmed with a quiz on Friday in history and a paper due on Tueday in Education. Today our class met at a elementary school and we were assigned classes to observe. We were only in each class about forty minutes. It wasnt enough time for me to observe and get all the information. Let's see, I also have part 2 of my midterm in my education class in diversity on Monday and a test in Math on Wednesday.... I still have some reading to do in that class. Well in all of them except math.


I have alot to do on the internet in math since I wasnt able to get on online to do my homework . As for the teacher, I havent said anything to him, unless it is math related. When I went in the following day, I acted as if nothing happened, I answer his question as if nothing happened and also asked to go over a problem from class that I didnt quite understand completely... He was willing and so was I.

I dont know much about him, only that I dont want to complain at this moment because I dont want him to lower my grade if he can do that because of the verbal fights. Now, I am playing it cool and seeing how things go for now.

Anyone have any suggestion on how to finish my work . I am so overwhelmed I dont know where to start first! HELP!

Thanks satter-g.

It is nice to hear that another prof can understand where I am coming from as a student.
Thanks for the concern. I dont know if I should do anything now because of my grade at the end of the course. I think it would be best to wait after finals.

Happy to help, or offer some support at least. I guess I was a student so long that I continue to identify with students much more than with many of my colleagues. And it amazes me that people who spent a large part of their lives as students can instantly forget what it is like to be on the other side of the desk... But then maybe the evil profs out there have never had to personally deal with procrastination and bad study habits and being all too easily distracted. I admit I am a bit of a ditz in class :D

Good luck with the rest of the semester!

-g

Thanks -g