Chem teacher

Published

I hate the fact that the chem teacher is not a chemistry teacher but she is teaching the class. Apparently the guy retired and she was left teaching the class. She doesn't know what she is doing. She makes mistakes all the time or she leaves things out. We had a student who took AP Chem last year but decided to do a basic chem class for his honor class. He was even lost on the last test we did.

Honestly, she should not be teaching the class. She was a biology lab instructor and an Arabic teacher and apparently she's good in those courses. This is her first chemistry class and she doesn't know what she is doing. She constantly messes up problems and how she explains everything is awful. I remember covering valence shells and I was not sure she was talking about them. Turns out, she was.

She also doesn't do powerpoints which would be a lot helpful in her case. She instead writes notes on a piece of paper. If she was familiar with the material, it would be different. She also will sit there and say that we should be getting the material.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

In this situation you need to just teach yourself from the book. If you learn everything on your own you can do well on the exams. There is only so many chemistry topics to be covered. Don't let a bad teacher affect your grades.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatry.

Agree with what Chelsea said. Once I learned that my A&P 2 tests weren't going to cover practically anything that was lectured on, I studied the book and taught myself. Yes, it's been harder than it would be with a better teacher, but I have done well despite the teacher.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well, the general consensus is that everyone is writing a negative review of the situation. I was nice initially but it clearly has stressed her out and it is stressing us out. The last test was seriously a what the heck moment. The questions were ridiculous. Even the AP student thought he failed the test. Not a single person felt prepared. Part of the issue is the questions.

It wouldn't be so bad to teach yourself, but the questions really do feel out there. Like it was nothing we covered. I have taken chemistry at other schools that didn't transfer and it seems like she is putting emphasis on subjects that no other chemistry teacher focuses on. She also doesn't fully understand the concepts and it's apparent.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you truly feel like this is an extenuating circumstance, and no one in the class is doing well, and I mean, NO ONE. I feel it would behoove you to round up your entire class and as a group 1st let the professor know that this is a problem. Explain that there is a disconnect between what she is teaching and what she is testing on. If this doesn't help than that same group (THE ENTIRE CLASS, THIS IS IMPORTANT) needs to petition the dean for resolve of the issue. It seems as though the professor was thrown into the class because no one else could teach it, which may be a reflection on the school more so than the teacher. Explain to the dean that you feel, as a student, eager to learn, this is a disservice to you and your fellow class mates. Explain this is a pre requisite for your future education and that because of the ill prepared material and lack of standard curriculum for the entire school you feel like you should all get your money back and have the class erased from your record entirely.

If there are students (not just the AP students, I was an AP chem & bio student and still didn't know what was going on in college, just fyi) that are doing well, even if it's just a few, you may lose all footing to petition anything.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I wouldn't approach the teacher, I'd go straight to the Dean with as many students as possible. Bring a copy of your tests and any other supporting documentation you can find.

I work at a community college. Most of our teachers are great. But occasionally a new professor will be hired and the class has to suffer before it's known he or she is a bad teacher. We also have a few tenured faculty who are so bad the school won't post the teacher's name on the course schedule because no students would sign up for the course if they knew Professor Yahoo was teaching it. So never sign up for a class that doesn't list a professor. And never take a professor who you haven't verified on RateMyProfessor.com.

Good luck getting your problem resolved.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I figured out I only need a 50% on the final exam to get a C in lecture (the lab grade is worth 1/3 of the final grade so it would help out a lot). If I get 70% on the final, I get a B in lecture. I am fine with a C since I am almost done with the nursing program.

I think part of the issue is that it is the summer term and some professors have tenure so they get the first pick of classes. I am going to ask people to consider doing a petition next week during our lab. She is a nice person, but clearly she is not a chem teacher and is more familiar with biology, where most of her good reviews are in.

Technically I am doing okay. I have like an 85% but I am not learning anything. So I guess technically I am one of the few that is "doing well."

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Maternal Child, Home Health, Med/Surg.

I wish I had helpful advice but I feel for you. I'm lucky to have had a good instructor. Maybe the head of the department can?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I will talk to them after the class. I am nervous about it coming around that I complained before the end of the term. I don't know. I know it's confidential but I question whether it truly is.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVICU.

I don't have much helpful advice, but I just wanted to let you know I had a similar story. Now, my Chemistry teacher was likely a great chemist. He worked as a chemical engineer at a local power plant for over 20 years. However, he was an awful teacher. None of what he lectured about tied in with the test or assignments. I too just settled for a C because it wasn't a requirement for entry into the nursing program. There was definitely a lot of self-teaching involved. I guess they couldn't find someone who wanted to teach Chemistry in a college town of 1,500 inhabitants. :confused:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have a B in the class. It's not a nursing class so it follows the traditional 70-79 c, 80-89 b, and 90-100 is an A.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion