A
female
age
30-35,
*heastronaut
writes:My chemistry teacher makes fun of me. Constantly. He treats me like I'm incompetent, dangerous in practical lessons, or otherwise stupid and inferior to the other people in my class. Only I get this treatment.He apparently doesn't realise that he actually makes me cry and doubt my intelligence, which is one of the few things that I actually like about myself. Him: 40-something year old man, basically a chemistry god (used to be a research chemist); his opinion matters to me. A lot. I love chemistry and I want to be good at it.Me: 17 year old girl, self esteem issues, ongoing cycles of depression, academically capable but self-doubting, and really no match for him when he's bearing down on me and treating me like a moron.Me and him have a weird kind of relationship where it's okay for me to tell him to shut up, go away etc. in a kind of jokey way, but I seriously doubt he would take me seriously if I said any of what I've said in this post to him. Especially because he seems to think I'm actually intellectually challenged.How can I get him to just leave me alone and TEACH ME, like he's supposed to?! Thank you for reading, guys. :)
View related questions:
my teacher, self esteem Reply to this Question
Share |
Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
female
reader, natasia +, writes (29 June 2011):
 I don't think it would be easy for you to go to him, so you should go to your personal/social tutor (there must be one) in the first instance. Discuss how to approach it with her/him. Maybe this person will be able to speak with the teacher. He is not being professional with you. You are right. He should be teaching you.
Some teachers, I am afraid, get too big for their boots. Personality is a big thing with successful teachers - they are not dissimilar to actors. And they have whopping great egos. He thinks himself cool. He thinks your banter is cool. He things it's all ok. He has forgotten that he is not an 18 year old boy trying to impress you/tease you, but your chemistry teacher and old enough to be your father.
He is being immature, actually. But he has responsibility as a teacher, and he is a professional, so he needs to be brought in line. You shouldn't have to. Tell someone else. And don't listen to his nonsense. He is having a midlife crisis. And however bright a chemist, he is also an idiot.
A
female
reader, littlepepper  +, writes (28 June 2011):
 When I was in high school, my English teacher used to do that. A lot.
Reading your story, I recognized myself and I can assure you that the teacher doesn't really mean all that. He just wants to be funny and he is teasing you because he thinks you don't care.
I'm going to agree with the other Aunt who said you should talk to him.
I wish you the best! :)
...............................
A
female
reader, aunt honesty  +, writes (28 June 2011):
 How awful you poor girl. You shouldn't have to put up with this from a teacher and it has to stop. I bet deep down he doesn't even mean to cause you upset and probably thinks you take everything as a joke. But you don't and he needs to remember that you are a 17 year old girl who is going to worry about herself and her ability to achieve things. Therefore the only way that you can stop this from getting out of control is talking to him on a one on one basis. Don't talk to him during class wait until after class and ask can you have a word with him in private. Then tell him how much it effects you the way he talks to you and tell him how much it upsets you and worries you that you are not good enough.
If he doesn't listen to you or laughs at you well then he shouldn't be allowed to be a teacher. After you have told him and things don't start to improve well then you will need to go to the head of department with your problem and tell them what has been going on. Good luck.
...............................
|
