By Rod
One of my students is a middle-aged woman who constantly says things that get under my skin. She has been a teacher for 20+ years, so that may explain some of her eccentricities, like the inbred need to correct everyone, even when she is wrong. A typical class discussion might sound like this: Student X: "Yesterday I go to shopping"; 20+ year teacher student: "No, you should say 'Yesterday I went to shopping'; Instructor Rod: "Actually, the right way to say it is: 'Yesterday I went shopping'".
Not only does she correct the other students, but she also tends to correct the instructors also. Being left handed, I tend to hold my paper at about a 45 degree angle from my body while writing. It is just the most comfortable way to do it. One day in class as I was preparing to write something she reached over and straightened my paper, telling me that I should keep it that way, and admitting that it was something that had been bothering her as long as she had known me. She told me that if I were her student she would not allow such bad habits to continue.
Another time as the class began she asked me if I had just gotten a haircut. Having just received a trim the day previously I replied in the affirmative, expecting a compliment on the fine job Rebecca had done - instead all I received was an unenthused "Oh."
Once I walked into the classroom for my first shift of the day after a relaxing morning and the first thing she said to me was, "you look really bad". I told her that actually I felt fine, and she reiterated: "you look really tired!" I tell you, this woman gets my goat.
The most recent event, and the one that spawned this rant, was yesterday after a day of brutal heat and bright sunshine. I walked into Voice, which is where we practice free English conversation, and this woman, in the way only she can do, said: "Your nose is really red! Have you been drinking?" Now I hadn't really looked in a mirror, and I certainly didn't notice that I had a red nose, but this woman made me feel about as self-conscious as a teenage girl with a pimple.
Anyways, if you didn't get it the first time, this woman really gets my goat!
13 comments:
You should blow her mind. If she insists on making up wild stories about you, you should write the sequels and give her the drafts...ya, that would be funny!
Well, now that she's got your goat, at least you won't have to pack it when you travel back to Canada.
Good one Rachel... I wish I'd said that!
A teacher friend of mine once had difficulty understanding a student, and asked her to repeat what she said - she responded, "You speak English, don't you?".
So goes to show my level of vocabulary...before I read what you wrote, I assumed that "she got my goat" was something that one of your students had said...
Mom explained it to me.
I am humbled.
No, Katie, it's "Yesterday I am to humbled."
...oh, and you must really like your students Rod. If a student of mine tried to straighten my paper whilst I instructed them, I'd stab them in the hand with the pencil. Then I'd make them derive an equation in front of the class. Blindfolded. While I threw things at them. Like pens. Or an overhead projector. But I think I have an unnaturally low tolerance for complaining students.
To illustrate, I had a student come in and whine that another group member got a higher grade on a group assignment then she did, and wanted it fixed RIGHT NOW. I investigated, located the error, and then lowered the mark of the other student.
I then thanked the first student for pointing out the error to me, and asked her to let her fellow group member know about the marking change.
Who says instructing doesn't have its fun moments?
i can't WAIT to be a teacher now! i'll have to get my discipline tips from my biggest brother Glen.
Wow Glen,
I must say I am impressed and awed and quite relieved that I am beyond my classroom days.
Rod, how's that countdown going??? Keep breathing and remember since you don't have a permanent address yet, your students cannot ask for it and plan for future visits...
Contrary to perceived opinion, I actually like most of my students. I just have little patience for 'grade-diggers' who don't care about the course and only want to boost their mark whichever way they could. I even had a group of girls try to bribe me with beer one time. Well, I'm only human.
But I would have given you a good grade, Dawn. I like you.
Awww jee thanks Glen.... make sure when that brother and his wife come to visit you - we all get together and go out. You and Nicole are soooooo close, I get nervous sitting out on my deck when I'm suntanning.
P.S. I like you too.
Don't worry, I'll respect the restraining order. Plus my high-powered telescope is in the shop.
uhhh yeah! Thanks, I think. That sort of makes me feel somewhat uhhh better?!
Apparently, my quick whit has taken a vacation and I've got nothing...
Yup, I've got nothing... guess I'll have to wait for the next posting to get the creative juices flowing.
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