My professor is being a jerk. Advice?

Question

OK, there's this new professor at my school. He's fresh out of college and the most arrogant person I've ever met. He's not bad-looking and he's one of our few young teachers so you can imagine the amount of girls crushing on him.

I missed a few days of school because I was sick. Our school has a policy that we have to ask the teacher for the assignments we've missed. When I asked him, he didn't have anything set aside for me and asked me to ask my partner what I missed. "Oh, we had these worksheets on bla bla..." so I told him. He gave it to me. The next day, I check my grades on the school website and I have points off for the worksheest and a ZERO for a homework assignment I missed when I was ill. I told him that there shouldn't be any points off for the worksheets (everything on it was RIGHT, it was points off for being late) and that I didn't know about the homework at all because my partner never mentioned it to me. Not my fault, right? He restored full points for the worksheets, but insisted on still dropping my homework grade. I argued, but then I gave eventually because the homework grade doesn't count for very much anyways. The next day, we had a review on all the things I missed when I was away. I swear, he kept on calling on me because I didn't know a bunch of the stuff. At oe point he even accused me of not paying any attention. He sighed and shook his head and said, "Ugh! It's not that hard... -explaining, explaining- do you get it?" "...yeah." It was really humiliating, though. He made me feel like an idiot. And despite studying A LOT, I still got a C on my test (Beforehand, I opted to take it the day afterwards because I didn't feel prepared enough, he denied it.)

I feel like he picks on me. I have my Blackberry sticking out of my pocket while I was walking out of class one time and he stopped me ot point it out and give me a little speech about how if he saw it again, I would get in trouble. He always calls me out for talking in class even if I'm just whisper-answering a question. He makes me keep my hand on top of the table at times because he's convinced that I like to text in class (which I don't) Other times, though, he can be a really cool teacher and a lot students like him ( I obviously don't, though) so whenever I complain about it, people don't really believe it. Or they act like they do and say "Oh, but he seems so nice." A lot of girls flirt with him in class (an even one gay dude, who is hilarious, but that's a different story)

I feel like I'm being bullied by him. My brother, who's a year ahead of me, believes me and agrees that he is sort of creeperish (sometimes I feel like he flirts with his students, including me at one point o_O, but that might be in my head). What do I do about it? Advice?

Answer 1

If you truly feel that this teacher is picking on you, abusing his role, and/or targeting you specifically then I would suggest talking to the principal, guidance counselor etc. Outline all the facts that make you feel the way you do but be careful not to make personal comments concerning his appearance and/or what other people say or think as this is completely irrelevant when it comes to his interaction with you. If it is possible, ask to be transferred to another class or something along these lines, just don't make it personal as it could come across as you're just upset over a bad grade when this very well could be that he just has a bone to pick with you for some reason.



Hope this helps and good luck!

Answer 2

If you're doing this just for the hell of it or to be a b*tch, then don't. There's no reason to say anything in that case. If your intention is to make him aware of the situation and encourage him to improve his attitude, then the best way would be to politely ask to talk with him for a few minutes when he's not busy or under any stress and explain how you feel. Don't directly tell him what he's doing wrong. Instead, acknowledge anything he's doing right (even if it's just little insignificant things), and focus on practical things that can be done to improve. Definitely don't act like you think you're better than him. He will only listen to you if you make him feel important. If he's receptive to your ideas and actually makes an effort to put them into action after you talk to him about it, then whenever possible you should continue to acknowledge every positive change he makes.

Answer 3

Your professor is new to the field and he's obviously stressed with the work. besides, from the stuff you've explained, he's just being a normal teacher. you should understand that not everyone has a cool attitude or whatsoever. dont worry, try to be a good student to him and he'll eventually start to respect you. and as the time goes on, you'll get used to him.



all the best and study well :)

Answer 4

Tell him that you do not appreciate being treated like a kindergartner. Keeping your hands on the table. That is unacceptable. Tell him also that if he insults you again you will report him to the dean of the school and the department