Do college reps know certain schools have tough teachers?

[Anonymous]

At my DS’s school a few years ago, they got a new AP Chem teacher. On his first day of class, the teacher announced “I do not give A’s”. The ENTIRE class immediately got up and walked out.

He changed his mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, there seems to be a troll trying t, o post as several people. Look, if you don't have constructive advice for OP, move on. I am so sick of trolls hijacking threads with their condescension, judgment and lack of info.

I am clearly sympathetic b/c I have a kid in a similar boat in a top magnet. (If I weren't, I'd move on). Not a terrible grade for mine, but inordinate amounts of work, arcane material, and little teaching. For a straight A student to be struggling w/ an elective class in a field where they are a top student, it's unnecessarily punitive and stressful. The teacher teaches to a level of previous experience (some students have studied this outside of school), but that's not how its advertised. The teacher refuses to answer student questions, literally saying "I'm not going to answer that." And, they won't explain anything. Kid is working very hard and doing better, but it shouldn't be like this. Other teachers in the subject can't help b/c they don't specialize in this area. Kid has a friend who studied this outside school tutoring and works like mad. It affects about 2/3 of the class (kids w/o previous experience in the subject). They have all approached the teacher individually, and then addressed the administrator as a group when the teacher seemed unreceptive. Kid said that admin's reaction seemed to indicate that this was not a new problem for this teacher. We'll see. Very thankful for MoCo's semester system.

Hope you find a good resolve, OP. I would definitely make school admin aware. But, maybe first get a sense from your kid how many top students are getting derailed. If it is just a few, have the kid make a complaint and get a tutor.

Thank you! I plan to reach out to someone at the school yet wanted to give it some thought before I arranged a meeting. I thought I might be able to ask a school official to take a look at the class grades as a way of showing what's going on.

I appreciate your help.

OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, the colleges don’t know that your kid got a bad teacher. They do know that every kid gets a bad teacher or two. Life’s not fair that way.

No, you shouldn’t complain and yes, you should keep your mouth shut. Your kid should complain. Haven’t they been learning to self-advocate, etc etc at their school? Well, here’s a chance to exercise that muscle.

How many times are you going to post while pretending to be different people?

[Anonymous]

They probably know which school is tougher in generally but not at the teacher level. For example, the FCPS transcript doesn't even show teacher's names.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, there seems to be a troll trying t, o post as several people. Look, if you don't have constructive advice for OP, move on. I am so sick of trolls hijacking threads with their condescension, judgment and lack of info.

I am clearly sympathetic b/c I have a kid in a similar boat in a top magnet. (If I weren't, I'd move on). Not a terrible grade for mine, but inordinate amounts of work, arcane material, and little teaching. For a straight A student to be struggling w/ an elective class in a field where they are a top student, it's unnecessarily punitive and stressful. The teacher teaches to a level of previous experience (some students have studied this outside of school), but that's not how its advertised. The teacher refuses to answer student questions, literally saying "I'm not going to answer that." And, they won't explain anything. Kid is working very hard and doing better, but it shouldn't be like this. Other teachers in the subject can't help b/c they don't specialize in this area. Kid has a friend who studied this outside school tutoring and works like mad. It affects about 2/3 of the class (kids w/o previous experience in the subject). They have all approached the teacher individually, and then addressed the administrator as a group when the teacher seemed unreceptive. Kid said that admin's reaction seemed to indicate that this was not a new problem for this teacher. We'll see. Very thankful for MoCo's semester system.

Hope you find a good resolve, OP. I would definitely make school admin aware. But, maybe first get a sense from your kid how many top students are getting derailed. If it is just a few, have the kid make a complaint and get a tutor.

I get that kids need to learn how to work with difficult people and that's what we tell our DCs when we first hear these complaints. If they continue, we discuss how to self advocate. If, however, my DC seems on the verge of self harm b/c a teacher continually says "I'm not going to answer that" then I am going to raise an eyebrow or more with the school.

PP here. Totally agree. If kid were on the verge of self harm, you can bet this mama bear would be roaring. As it is, DC is unduly stressed, but has clearly and respectfully advocated. DC is doing better but more due to sheer effort. I am trying to weigh contacting someone. If I do, do I give the teacher the respect of contacting them first? My DC did that, and they were dismissive. Admin seems receptive, but I think there is no one who can teach this material. Perhaps I contact admin to confirm/clarify DC's observations? I think DC did this effectively, but maybe parent pressure isn't a bad thing? Would love to hear [constructive] opinions.

This person directly above is not me.

--OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Colleges aren’t tracking individual teachers. Switch class to an easier teacher.

That's what I think, but it doesn't help with this semester's grade.

Are you suggesting that we change for next semester? The school (private) discourages changing teachers, but I'm thinking about pressing the issue and could maybe make a case if I suggest kid be moved to non-honors instead of honors. But I want to make sure that the bad teacher doesn't teach that class, too.

Next year, student will take a different topic that this person doesn't teach.

It makes me sad that one horrible teacher can ruin a kid's transcript after that kid has worked so hard. It's like my kid--and the others--were punished for being smart and getting into this class in the first place.

With regards to the school, I'd be surprised if they aren't alarmed their best students (top 10% and 20%) are getting such low grades in this class.

Would it be wise for me to request the principal look into the class grades?

OP

If there is a single teacher tanking students college applications through grades that are not in line with other teachers at the school, I'd be going to the HOS. If this is just a your kid issue, than that a completely different matter.

This, OP. I wouldn't go to the HOS and tell them how to do their job (i.e., look into grades). But I would absolutely go to them with a concern about my student, especially if the issue seemed to be part of a larger pattern. I would say this is what I observed, this is what I have heard, and this is my concern. I am coming to you to hear what you think, and to hear the ideas you have for addressing my concern.

Then I would listen and have an adult conversation.

This is why people send their kids to private schools. The HOS actually care what parents think. They may not handle it the way you want, but it's their job to hear your concerns.

And ignore everyone who says you will annoy them or be "that mom". No professional HOS is annoyed about a parent coming to them and having a respectful conversation.

I love this answer. Thank you!

It's along the lines of what I'm thinking. Yes, I would not *tell* them to look into the grades. I could ask questions or share what I'm hearing from others.


PS: I love how the troll posters recommend doing the most basic things. "Have your child advocate for themselves!" Ya think kid hasn't done that? They are a top student and advocating for themselves on all kind of complicated topics with adults in various roles. Been doing that since they were 10. Lol.

Are these trolls in their mom's basement in Georgia? I read about a lawyer who say in the basement of his house trolling on people on the left and right. What a weirdo. A sad way to spend one's limited time on this earth.

[Anonymous]

Teacher names are not on transcripts and even if they were you really think an AO has enough time and history with a school to know that Vish's A2 Honors is super hard but Jone's is an easy A.

Ick and I'm the idiot taking time to answer such a question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Colleges aren’t tracking individual teachers. Switch class to an easier teacher.

That's what I think, but it doesn't help with this semester's grade.

Are you suggesting that we change for next semester? The school (private) discourages changing teachers, but I'm thinking about pressing the issue and could maybe make a case if I suggest kid be moved to non-honors instead of honors. But I want to make sure that the bad teacher doesn't teach that class, too.

Next year, student will take a different topic that this person doesn't teach.

It makes me sad that one horrible teacher can ruin a kid's transcript after that kid has worked so hard. It's like my kid--and the others--were punished for being smart and getting into this class in the first place.

With regards to the school, I'd be surprised if they aren't alarmed their best students (top 10% and 20%) are getting such low grades in this class.

Would it be wise for me to request the principal look into the class grades?

OP

If there is a single teacher tanking students college applications through grades that are not in line with other teachers at the school, I'd be going to the HOS. If this is just a your kid issue, than that a completely different matter.

This, OP. I wouldn't go to the HOS and tell them how to do their job (i.e., look into grades). But I would absolutely go to them with a concern about my student, especially if the issue seemed to be part of a larger pattern. I would say this is what I observed, this is what I have heard, and this is my concern. I am coming to you to hear what you think, and to hear the ideas you have for addressing my concern.

Then I would listen and have an adult conversation.

This is why people send their kids to private schools. The HOS actually care what parents think. They may not handle it the way you want, but it's their job to hear your concerns.

And ignore everyone who says you will annoy them or be "that mom". No professional HOS is annoyed about a parent coming to them and having a respectful conversation.

I love this answer. Thank you!

It's along the lines of what I'm thinking. Yes, I would not *tell* them to look into the grades. I could ask questions or share what I'm hearing from others.

PS: I love how the troll posters recommend doing the most basic things. "Have your child advocate for themselves!" Ya think kid hasn't done that? They are a top student and advocating for themselves on all kind of complicated topics with adults in various roles. Been doing that since they were 10. Lol.

Are these trolls in their mom's basement in Georgia? I read about a lawyer who say in the basement of his house trolling on people on the left and right. What a weirdo. A sad way to spend one's limited time on this earth.

Of course you love it. It validates your opinion.

[Anonymous]

If a student is on the verge of self-harm over a grade, there is a whole other issue you need to be addressing as a parent.

[Anonymous]

No.

[Anonymous]

No.

And while some privates may have a pipeline, they don't really actually weigh rigor at them compared to private schools. Nationwide, the vast majority of private schools are substandard compared to publics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At my DS’s school a few years ago, they got a new AP Chem teacher. On his first day of class, the teacher announced “I do not give A’s”. The ENTIRE class immediately got up and walked out.

He changed his mind.

Honestly, these days that is basically saying, "I make sure none of my students get into a top 50 school."

[Anonymous]

The teacher is “going to spend more time with their family.”

Apparently, there had been numerous complaints for a long time. Yes, the students advocated for themselves, blah, blah. I think it must be hard to be a competent teacher if you frequently don’t show up to work. Haha.

Problem solved.

—OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Colleges aren’t tracking individual teachers. Switch class to an easier teacher.

That's what I think, but it doesn't help with this semester's grade.

Are you suggesting that we change for next semester? The school (private) discourages changing teachers, but I'm thinking about pressing the issue and could maybe make a case if I suggest kid be moved to non-honors instead of honors. But I want to make sure that the bad teacher doesn't teach that class, too.

Next year, student will take a different topic that this person doesn't teach.

It makes me sad that one horrible teacher can ruin a kid's transcript after that kid has worked so hard. It's like my kid--and the others--were punished for being smart and getting into this class in the first place.

With regards to the school, I'd be surprised if they aren't alarmed their best students (top 10% and 20%) are getting such low grades in this class.

Would it be wise for me to request the principal look into the class grades?

OP

If there is a single teacher tanking students college applications through grades that are not in line with other teachers at the school, I'd be going to the HOS. If this is just a your kid issue, than that a completely different matter.

This, OP. I wouldn't go to the HOS and tell them how to do their job (i.e., look into grades). But I would absolutely go to them with a concern about my student, especially if the issue seemed to be part of a larger pattern. I would say this is what I observed, this is what I have heard, and this is my concern. I am coming to you to hear what you think, and to hear the ideas you have for addressing my concern.

Then I would listen and have an adult conversation.

This is why people send their kids to private schools. The HOS actually care what parents think. They may not handle it the way you want, but it's their job to hear your concerns.

And ignore everyone who says you will annoy them or be "that mom". No professional HOS is annoyed about a parent coming to them and having a respectful conversation.

I love this answer. Thank you!

It's along the lines of what I'm thinking. Yes, I would not *tell* them to look into the grades. I could ask questions or share what I'm hearing from others.

PS: I love how the troll posters recommend doing the most basic things. "Have your child advocate for themselves!" Ya think kid hasn't done that? They are a top student and advocating for themselves on all kind of complicated topics with adults in various roles. Been doing that since they were 10. Lol.

Are these trolls in their mom's basement in Georgia? I read about a lawyer who say in the basement of his house trolling on people on the left and right. What a weirdo. A sad way to spend one's limited time on this earth.

Of course you love it. It validates your opinion.

Yes. I said I love it and then you said “of course you love it.” Scintillating post of yours there.

We agree! 😂

—OP