TA is rude

commonsense · Nov 14, 2011

Hi all, I am taking one of my prereqs and find the TA in my lab group to be rude to me (just me). He seems to single me out for criticism and he gives criticism in a rude way. It is embarrassing because I am a shy and will not "talk back" to him in class. Also, I am respectful person. so he has no reason to speak to me rudely. Should I e-mail the professor and ask him to tell the TA to back off? I would e-mail the TA directly but don't have his e-mail...

Talk to the TA directly, not through electronic communication. Be respectful of him when you speak to him, but speak your mind and tell him what you need to tell him. Find out if there is a particular reason he is being rude to you and use I statements, not You statements. I recommend not talking to the professor before speaking to the TA. It's just not a smart decision to bypass the levels of communication like that. If you speak to the TA first then you can let the professor know that you tried to work out the issue on your own, but could not.

futureconfuser · Nov 14, 2011

I really don't like the TA. We have the class once a week. We all get there then class starts. So I have to go to the TA asap when I see him or else won't be able to talk to him. If I don't get a chance to talk to him before class he will criticize me during the lab.

The professor should have given out the TAs contact info in the syllabus. So annoying.

futureconfuser · Nov 14, 2011

Maybe I can ask the professor for the TA's e-mail saying I have a question concerning the labs? Or would that be weird?

commonsense · Nov 14, 2011

You could do an e-mail, but it's tough to read how something's being said sometimes. You can't give a tone of voice to an e-mail. What if you approached him before class and asked him if you could speak with him after class. If he asks what you need to speak with him about don't say labs or something, just tell him you need to speak with him about the class.

futureconfuser · Nov 14, 2011

My concern is if I speak to him after lab he might be rude during lab. It is an all day class. We do lab then lecture. The TA leaves after the lab portion. I don't think it will annoy the professor if I bring this up. Even if he doesn't like it I am taking this class to transfer to my ABSN program at another school. Also, the professor can't hurt my grade for asking to be spoken to respectfully...

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Nov 14, 2011

Good advice so far. I wouldn't go to the professor before approaching the TA directly. And if there's already difficulty in communication, an email might just be asking for further problems.

If it's impossible to track down the TA's contact information, to find out about office hours, to make an appointment, or to catch him before or after lab, I would just let it go. I'm assuming that you're looking at another month or less with this guy. You might also think about what you want to happen once he finds out that you think he's singling you out and being rude to you.

futureconfuser · Nov 14, 2011

Good advice so far. I wouldn't go to the professor before approaching the TA directly. And if there's already difficulty in communication, an email might just be asking for further problems.
If it's impossible to track down the TA's contact information, to find out about office hours, to make an appointment, or to catch him before or after lab, I would just let it go. I'm assuming that you're looking at another month or less with this guy. You might also think about what you want to happen once he finds out that you think he's singling you out and being rude to you.

I think the TA will avoid me which is what I want. The TA doesn't grade my work and I am not affiliated with this school so there is nothing he can do to me. I doubt he will try to cause me problems since I think he will assume I will go to the professor if he "retaliates" in some way. I don't care if he tries to turn the students against me, this will not work. Even if it did I am not affiliated with this school so do not care if I have friends there.

crazytonurse · Nov 14, 2011

You have been given some great advice here, however it seems to me that you are still insisting on doing it your way so may I ask you why you bothered with asking for advice?

I understand its frustrating, but there is a professional way of going about things. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

allnurses Guide · Nov 14, 2011

Usually, when a student thinks they are being singled out, it turns out that the student has no insight as to how they are actually performing or their behavior toward others.

I'm saying this, because I am sensing a degree of immaturity and pig-headedness in your posts.

You have been given the advice, several times, to speak to the TA in person-- not electronically. However, you insist you will do it this way.

That is just bad form anywhere.

Can we assume, then, that when you are called out on a mistake, you insist you are right and do not listen to good solid instruction?

As for "turning the students against you", I can assure you the TA has better things to do. What would be the point of that anyway?

Stop and think... what makes you so darn special that you are the only one being picked on?

I'm not saying anyone is being picked on. I'm asking you... why would it be you?

I'm sure he doesn't care who you complain to and I'm positive he won't just ignore you.

Sometimes we just have to deal... in a mature, thought out way.

BTW: be glad you don't "talk back". That is a sure-fire way to dig your own grave.