crazy teacher

Parent Cafe
1

<p>I am currently a senior who is a SH (student Helper) for a history teacher instead of taking a class that period, becuase my IB classes conflit with each other, and so I can can either take choir or SH 2nd period, and i choose SH.</p>

<p>anyways, this history history that I grade papers for is really crazy. She seems very vague about her directions on what/how she wants things graded, and when I mess up due to lack of instructions, she sighs really loudly and complains about me. I tired asking her for directions, BUT she claims, “you know what, i 've been so clear SIGH…” </p>

<p>I want to talk to her about this, I have 2 months until the trimester ends and i dont’ think i can deal with her anymore. Since the classroom is divded into two sections, she comes into my section every ten minuetes or so to “check” on me, just stands there and stares at me. (I feel like i’m being spied upon) and makes me leave my stuff (coat, purse, shoulder bag) in ANOTHER room because one day she saw me looking for stuff (water bottle) and wants me to focus on my “tasks” which include grading multiple choice papers fatter than college biology books. She hasn’t had a SH in years, (now i know why), and wants to extract every last drop of work out of me. This class isn’t even a high school prep class, it’s a class to fill periods since we don’t have study hall. Maybe I’m overreacting, but I think she’s crazy. Other SH for other teachers have it easy, they have a small pile of stuff to grade, then they can relax/do homework.
I had a bad confrontation with another teacher last year who thought i was cheating during an exam but that’s another story, it has since been resolved but this history teacher i grade stuff for was in the room when this happenend, happened to hear everything, i feel as if she had a negative impression on me before i even became her SH. Plus they are friends and talk to each other about student, the other teacher must have complained to her too about me. I fell so stupid, i should have requested another teacher in another department!!!</p>

<p>SHould I talk to her? I fell as if she’s just going to deny and say i wan’t paying attention. I’m worried about this becuase it looks like something that can spiral out of control, she’s become more and more stingent and I’m helping HER, not the other way around! She knows I can’t leave until the next trimester, I want to stop this thing before it gets worse. I’m wasting an hour of my life everyday,.</p>

<p>parents, suggestions? (how should i put this to her tackfully, she’s kinda high-strung?) I feel really, really stupid and dumb for not requesting another teacher, I should I known she would have preconeptions about me. I am very busy over college apps, IB’s, ACT/SAT, ECS, etc, and I just want a peaceful senior year. I was looking for this class to be relaxing (i’m just supposed to be grading papers) but I ended up with HER. I can’t takl to my couselor about this and try to get another teacher, b/c i dont’ want to cuase anymore trouble. ( after they suspected i was cheating)I just feel so uncompfortable in that class, what should I do? If only I had asked for another teacher, I would have been easy, relaxed, nad not being spied upon constatnly!!)
I just feel so incredibly stupid.</p>

2

<p>Did you want a teacher that wouldn’t require you to assist her for the entire hour? </p>

<p>If you think she is being unclear in her instructions as to how to grade multiple choice questions, you need to speak with her. Every student deserves to have their work graded properly and she needs to help you make sure that happens. If you are just resentful that you don’t have a free period, I’m not sure what you can do about that.</p>

3

<p>no, I’m not asking in anyway for a free period. I just don’t lilke her spying on me, it’s really frustrating and I feel as if she can’t trust me. It’s makes me feel uncomfortable. She also makes meput my stuff under her desk up so i don’t do other stuff, as if she can’t trust me! I like to have my bag next to me (water, security, you know). I just don’t like her constatly spying on me and staring, it makes me feel VERY uncomfortable. Sorry if i seemed that way.</p>

4

<p>OK, let me give this a try…
I am sorry that you’re having a tough time with this. It’s a tense year without having additional challenges.<br>
It might help to take on this dilemma (coping with the capriciousness of someone in power who, unfortunately, seems not to think highly of trustworthiness and work ethic) as just that, a challenge. It’s a situation that you’re likely to encounter again in life (or some variation of this situation).
First, figure out what’s most important to you. Regaining her trust? Grading the tests fairly? Being less anxious or uncomfortable in her presence? Once you prioritize your goals, the next steps come more easily.
Sometimes folks in your position find themselves with a “hidden goal” of wanting “win” this type of power struggle. Whereas this is a viable goal, it might jeopordize the other possible goals I listed.
If you put some good energy into this challenge, you’ll be amazed at how much you can gain.</p>

5

<p>tired -</p>

<p>Definitely speak to her about this. No person can be expected to work well if they feel they are in an antagonistic or negative environment. Perhaps you could ask her if she would like another helper since she is giving off signals that she is unhappy. That might provide you an opportunity to trade with someone and work with another teacher.</p>

<p>(I’m so sorry I misunderstood the crux of the problem!)</p>