“In some of my RMP reviews, students have used the phrase “she doesn’t know how to teach the material”, which is true in the sense that I don’t know how to teach it in the way that they seem to want it taught. I don’t think ANYONE knows how to do that, but they are too young/inexperienced to realize that what they want is not possible.”
Do you have any students who have written positive words about you? The balance would seem to be needed if there is a mounting body of complaints, and you don’t have a great ‘pass’ rate. Topple on the lack of prepared students who move on to the next course and slow things down there, how is it that you have been able to keep your position?
I feel for you. Years ago in college almost everyone but me hated one professor. My fellow students were vehement enough in their dislike and distaste of him that they wrote the most awful reviews ever for him. I think they conspired. (He was odd, but good humored. All he asked was that we engage with the material, and come to class ready to dissect, compare, offer up points of analysis, and have formed some really good questions for him.)
The university wanted to release him from his duties as a result. He teared up a little, and did not know how to stifle his impulse to want to hug (though he did), when he told me that the review I’d written of his course was so glowing and so affirming of his work that it meant quite a great deal to him. It also helped him to keep his job.
I hope you have some of these types of reviews.
FWIW, if you are working with adults who have returned to school as well as with recent HS grads, even thinking of them as recalcitrant is just starting you on the wrong path for connecting with them.