Sexist English Teacher

donsterRN, ASN, BSN · Sep 13, 2007

I know it's frustrating!

I took two semesters of English this past summer. Five weeks each; one after the other, same professor for each. After my first writing assignment, I was devastated because he gave me a "B". He wrote some nice things, and offered me a little more time to ry to bring the grade up. I wrked, and worked, and ended up getting a "B+". All that work for a + sign.

I decided then and there not to try to be perfect. I could be William Shakespeare incarnate and never get an A in that course. Well, the minute I stopped worrying about it, I took off all the pressure from myself and was able to concentrate on the lessons. I got an A on every single paper afterwards. And A's in the courses, as well.

My point is work hard, don't be intimidated and just do what he tells you to do. It won't last forever.

If, however, you think you're being singled out for harsh treatment, then by all means, document your concerns and issues and take them to his superiors. He cannot just arbitrarily treat people differently.

Good luck!

Shooting4RN · Sep 13, 2007

You are right, stressing is not going to do me any good, thats for sure. It just infuriates me that he can have an affect on my entrance to the program. I know I'm not perfect, there are courses I have trouble with, but English has never been one of them.(and shouldnt be now) I think I'll take your advice and just do the work. If I get a B or a C I will just retake it next term and ask for a different teacher. thanks :)

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Sep 13, 2007

He asked if I thought it was a fair grade and I said no, that it was a well written essay, even if he didnt think the title was "catchy". He then proceeded to ask me if I was going to cry. CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS GUY?!?!?

Wow!!! This reminds me of this crazy misogynist instructor I had last spring. He would constantly demean the female students and infantilize them by asking "Am I going to make you cry?" It was absurd. He asked me that one day, and I said to him, "I don't cry. I get pissed off. And it's a mistake to piss me off."

Of course I dropped the course the next day, after I had mouthed off to him. (Keep in mind, he had absolutely outrageous behavior towards all of the women in the class...)

Anyway, been there done that. I feel for you. Does your school have a program where you can switch credits after the official drop deadline as long as you take on an even number of credits to exchange for what you dropped? I wonder if you could get into another English class starting later, by doing something like this? I found out my school had this unpublicized program.

Good luck, and let us know what happens.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Sep 13, 2007

I'd be stopping by the dean/president's office.

There is no reason why this person should be teaching any subject until he gets his act together.

He's got issues that he needs to work out in therapy, not the classroom

Shooting4RN · Sep 14, 2007

I agree. I had his class today and he explained his grading system. if you look like an A student then he does everything he can to help you keep your A. If you look like a B student you will be keeping your B. If you look like a failing student you have no hope. WHAT!??! I know I shouldnt get irritated at the other students, I should only be irritated at him, but there is Mrs. Perfect in the front row who probably brushes her hair more than does homework correctly ( and she looks like an A student of course)........grrrrr * I am going nuts!* BUT on the bright side, I emailed the dept chair of nursing to ask her a question about the application process and she invited me to her office on monday. I am so EXCITED. I actually think if not for him my gpa would be like 3.8 or 3.9. But now with a B, I dont know.........

Crux1024 · Sep 14, 2007

I agree. I had his class today and he explained his grading system. if you look like an A student then he does everything he can to help you keep your A. If you look like a B student you will be keeping your B. If you look like a failing student you have no hope. WHAT!??! I know I shouldnt get irritated at the other students, I should only be irritated at him, but there is Mrs. Perfect in the front row who probably brushes her hair more than does homework correctly ( and she looks like an A student of course)........grrrrr * I am going nuts!* BUT on the bright side, I emailed the dept chair of nursing to ask her a question about the application process and she invited me to her office on monday. I am so EXCITED. I actually think if not for him my gpa would be like 3.8 or 3.9. But now with a B, I dont know.........

You didnt say whether or not you are going to the dean or someone similar in the schoold hierarchy? His behaviours and obnoxious comments should not have to be tolerated by ANYONE...

donsterRN, ASN, BSN · Sep 14, 2007

His grading system sucks, and his students are paying the price. Did he say that in class in front of other students? There are your witnesses... You can't let that go. I'd be reporting his *** to anyone who'll listen, but most definitely to the Dean. You deserve an education, not intimidation and garbage.

Good luck to you.

Shooting4RN · Sep 14, 2007

Actually he said it in front of the whole class. He also went into a rip about how he has only been in the boss' office once for a complaint from a male student (who he said is a mommas boy). He then said he can't count how many times he has been in there on account of a female student. He also mentioned that his character has nothing to do with our grades (thats on our SYLLABUS as well>...) and that going over his head does not prove to be advantageous to the student anyway. I feel damned if I do and damned if I dont, y'know?

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Sep 14, 2007

Actually he said it in front of the whole class. He also went into a rip about how he has only been in the boss' office once for a complaint from a male student (who he said is a mommas boy). He then said he can't count how many times he has been in there on account of a female student. He also mentioned that his character has nothing to do with our grades (thats on our SYLLABUS as well>...) and that going over his head does not prove to be advantageous to the student anyway. I feel damned if I do and damned if I dont, y'know?

Who knows how much of what he said actually happened. One thing is for certain - based upon what you said he said - he is trying to telegraph the idea that you best not bother complaining about him to the dean. Which means he anticipates this sort of thing. Good and professional instructors do not issue preemptive strikes to scare students away from complaining about them.

If you do go to the dean, you need to be prepared to drop the class. It could become unbearable if you do go over his head.

Is there another English class starting at a later time this semester? Like an 8 week session you could get into? That might be an option.

If you do go to the dean, the use of the words "hostile learning environment" can be helpful. The instructor has a right to act like a jerk - but he does NOT have the right to demean female students and literally, create a hostile learning environment for women.

Shooting4RN · Sep 14, 2007

I'm not sure what to do yet because I don't think dropping the class at this point is an option.And you are SO right about him. It was like he was warning us not to go to the dean. Now I know why he wont allow tape recorders in the class.

FireStarterRN, BSN, RN · Sep 14, 2007

I think your best bet would be for a group of you to go to a higher up and testify together as to his inappropriate comments and behavior. Also, if anyone has a lawyer in the family, a legal representative might be a good idea to have along. Discrimination based on gender, race, sexual orientation, national origin, etc are serious offenses and leave the college open liability wise. This is extremely serious, but you must be united as a group. This guy is engaging in abusive, discriminatory intimidation, he needs to be stopped.