questions from a couple of teachers

[meeshheartsdisney217]

What are the qualities of a teacher who "inspires" you to learn about the subject they are teaching?
They actually care about what we're doing and how you do. Make it interesting. Keep us on our toes. I'm very devoted to school, so I'm already inspired with I come into your class. But don't just drone on and on about the subject. Throw in a few jokes. Do something different for a day. Give us no homework. Understand that we have other classes to take care of and understand that when giving us homework.

What are the qualities of a teacher who just seems to make it difficult to learn the subject that's being taught?
They don't care about the subject. They don't care about us. They don't really care how we do on tests. Teachers who talk just to hear the sound of their voice. Teachers who are bitter. Teachers who grade unfairly.

If you're having difficulty with a subject, are you comfortable with asking your teacher for additional help? And if not, why not?
Yes. I'm very open about not understanding subjects. I'm not embaressed about not understanding something so I can open up about it. Even if everyone else understands it. Teachers usually say that they wish everyone opened up as easily as I do.

Think of your most difficult subject ... how would you go about teaching that subject to others so they would achieve a greater understanding of that subject? English. Don't make me write papers. Tell me directly what to do. Don't avoid the subject.

Think of your 'easiest' subject ... why do you think it's 'easiest'? Is it because of the way the teacher presents the subject matter, is it because you're just 'smart', or is it any combination of those two? Or is it something else?

Math. I'm naturally talented. No teacher has ever done everything to make math easier. It just is easy for me.

 

[tinkerbelle22]

What are the qualities of a teacher who "inspires" you to learn about the subject they are teaching?

Definitely someone who can motivate me. I want to feel like there's a point to me being in that class and that I have the ability to learn that subject. I don't want to feel like it's "impossible" or it's pointless. And it's also important to me when a teacher can make the lesson interesting, and learn each student's strengths and weaknesses, and what works for them when it comes to taking tests and understanding the material, and so on.

What are the qualities of a teacher who just seems to make it difficult to learn the subject that's being taught?

Right away my chem teacher from this year popped into my mind. She's like our babysitter. The class is composed mostly of kids who aren't doing well in science and don't want to take the regents exam (the class is called topics in chemistry). So sadly a lot of the kids totally goof off everyday. It's like something you'd see in a TV show where there's spitballs flying and people running around. And our teacher doesn't make things any better, because she barely knows the material, and she tries to be our friend before our teacher. Recently some of the other science teachers have been noticing this problem, and they had a talk with her, causing her to suddenly try to be harsh on us. The issue that me and my class have is that we don't have her respect because of how she had no control over the class in the first three months of school, and suddenly she's a tough teacher, so obviously no one is listening to her. It's important to me to have a teacher that not only knows the material inside and out, but can walk into the class on the first day and take control, in a way that isn't too harsh.

If you're having difficulty with a subject, are you comfortable with asking your teacher for additional help? And if not, why not?

Some yes, some no. There's a couple of teachers that I never want to go to if I need help, because usually I just need help with what we're learning in general, and the motto of a lot of theirs is "come with a specific question or we won't help you". And a lot of times it's tough to just think of one specific question. It's easier for me for a teacher to sit down with me or whoever else and just go over something we learned in class, or just parts of the material.

Think of your most difficult subject ... how would you go about teaching that subject to others so they would achieve a greater understanding of that subject?

The subject that I have the most difficulty in is probably U.S. history. I would probably do exactly what my teacher is doing, honestly! The reason I haven't been doing so great is because my study skills need work. But I am getting better since the beginning of the year. My teacher is great though, because he REALLY gets into the subject. He makes us realize that history is just one big story, and it can be very interesting, which is what I would tell others. It' not just about taking notes and memorizing facts. Sure you have to memorize a lot of things, but it's also really important to understand everything, and just think of it like a story.

Think of your 'easiest' subject ... why do you think it's 'easiest'? Is it because of the way the teacher presents the subject matter, is it because you're just 'smart', or is it any combination of those two? Or is it something else?

My easiest subject is English, just because I'm so interested in it. I absolutely love to write, and I really like to read. But of course it helps that my teacher is really encouraging, and loves the books we read herself. Right now we're doing a lot of essays to get ready for this essay-filled midterm in a few weeks, but even though I don't really like writing these types of essays, my teacher helps me through it by giving me a lot of strategies, and telling me what material is important to have in my essay.

 

[BabyPiglet]

What are the qualities of a teacher who "inspires" you to learn about the subject they are teaching? A teacher who inspires me would be down to earth. Love what he/she teaches. And treats the students like equals.

What are the qualities of a teacher who just seems to make it difficult to learn the subject that's being taught? Students can tell if the teacher just wants to get through the day. If he/she dislikes her job, then nobody will be able to learn a thing.

If you're having difficulty with a subject, are you comfortable with asking your teacher for additional help? And if not, why not? No, I prefer to look to other resources. I'd rathar not bother the teacher.

Think of your most difficult subject ... how would you go about teaching that subject to others so they would achieve a greater understanding of that subject? Science (Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy, any of them.) I would teach mostly in the lab. If I can see how and why something works, then I understand it better.

Think of your 'easiest' subject ... why do you think it's 'easiest'? Is it because of the way the teacher presents the subject matter, is it because you're just 'smart', or is it any combination of those two? Or is it something else? Algebra or Literature. Both of these just come naturally to me.

 

[disneychick2721]

What are the qualities of a teacher who "inspires" you to learn about the subject they are teaching?
A teacher who is just generally happy, fun and is at a person to person basis with students, as oppose to teacher to student. Knows the material and is passionate about what their teaching.

What are the qualities of a teacher who just seems to make it difficult to learn the subject that's being taught?
Speaking in a monotonous tone.

If you're having difficulty with a subject, are you comfortable with asking your teacher for additional help? And if not, why not?
No, but im just generally shy in that sense and I would rather ask a friend.

Think of your most difficult subject ... how would you go about teaching that subject to others so they would achieve a greater understanding of that subject?
I have difficulties in science and math, with math its just always gone over my head. But im usually pretty average in science, but this year I have been doing poorly on every test so far. I think that the teacher should explain things more. my teacher really just kind of gives us notes and makes us do handouts which isnt the way I learn.

Think of your 'easiest' subject ... why do you think it's 'easiest'? Is it because of the way the teacher presents the subject matter, is it because you're just 'smart', or is it any combination of those two? Or is it something else?
Well my best subject is probably Social Studies. It just kinda clicks with me and somehow I remember things.
But also, I had this social studies teacher last year. He was absolutely The best teacher. He not only knew the material he was teaching, but also knew interesting background information which made things fun and entertaining.

 

[ringaswan]

for those of you who have stated that you'd rather not ask your teacher(s) for help: PLEASE give it a try. You may find that the teacher who seems disinterested in class is actually quite a good teacher in a one-on-one situation. That teacher just needs to develop better group teaching skills. You may even be able to alert that teacher to not only your difficulty in mastering the subject matter, but to your fellow students' difficulties as well, and that might make the teacher reassess their teaching methods and help ALL of your class learn the material.

And if you find that you are not learning in a class, and you feel that it may be the teacher and not your own poor study habits, lack of interest in the subject, or whatever it might be, PLEASE take the time to speak with your guidance counselor. Let that person know what your issues/problems are. Don't go whining (sorry, but that's how it might come across), but rather go to the counselor prepared with concrete examples of your difficulties.

Again, thanks to everyone for their answers!!

 

[KitKat_Tink]

What are the qualities of a teacher who "inspires" you to learn about the subject they are teaching?
The teachers that inspire me to learn about the subject they teach are the ones who make it more interesting then just formulas. I like things to be more explained I guess. When a teacher can make the subject click with me it makes me love the subject...But i also love learning so i'm different then alot of kids.

What are the qualities of a teacher who just seems to make it difficult to learn the subject that's being taught?
Teachers with monotone voices. I have this one teacher and its hard to pay attention because his voice is so monotone and it gets annoying

If you're having difficulty with a subject, are you comfortable with asking your teacher for additional help? And if not, why not?
Generally. Most teachers are cool and love to help me but this one teacher just makes me feel kinda uncomfortable when i come in there...So I wouldn't ask him for help.

Think of your most difficult subject ... how would you go about teaching that subject to others so they would achieve a greater understanding of that subject?
Honestly my hardest subject is AP chemistry so I don't think there is any easy way of understanding it. My friend does a pretty decent job though. She shows me how to do the equations and stuff in simple ways and makes up names to help me remember things. Like cat ions (its not spelled cat I don't really think) she told me cat ions are pawwwsative and it helped soooo much more

Think of your 'easiest' subject ... why do you think it's 'easiest'? Is it because of the way the teacher presents the subject matter, is it because you're just 'smart', or is it any combination of those two? Or is it something else?
My easiest subject is my elective so i don't think that counts...It would probably be Math, Alegebra 2 to be more specific. My teacher just makes it fun and easy to understand. She's so upbeat that it makes me upbeat about learning. And I'm kinda smart...