Fustration At What's Going On At School...

[cmdarlin]

Alot of you know that I started back to school in August for an Associates Degree in Culinary. I love it or at least I did until last Friday when our teacher suffered a brain aneurysm. She's a sweet lady and very strict in her teaching and I loved it. Problem.... we have a substitute. Apparently this lady subsbed before when the teacher was out. She's a nice lady but has no degree in culinary, basically knows how to cook.

The kids are taking advantage of it. (The school is an extention center of an area college) There are five adults, including myself that actually had to pay a tuition to take this class. The high school kids are constantly talking during class, have their cell phones out, etc. One of the big rules of the classroom is no cell phones but kinda hard to do when the 'teacher' sits up front texting on hers!

We've pretty basically done nothing in class but read our chapter on nutrition and told to do homework and prepare for a test on Tuesday. Tuesday we're suppose to go over our homework and take the test afterwards. The woman hasn't discussed any of the chapter, not answered any questions, just says we'll discuss them Tuesday. Alot of us are feeling cheated. By now, we would of had this chapter drilled into our heads. I personnally don't feel prepared for a test when I'm not sure on answers, etc.

A couple of us have mentioned things to the Director of the school, even though we were worried too because he's a neighbor and good friend of the substitute teacher. He assures us that he understands and wants to know of our concerns. They tell us their trying to find a qualified teacher to take over but found no one yet. He even mentioned that they may try to get the previous work/study student. She'd at least have her degree and be better than what we have.

Sorry to rant.... just really wanting to learn this and feeling cheated. We're all praying for a speedy recovery for the regular teacher. She's doing well but still in a medically induced coma for healing. She's a strong woman and God willing will make a good recovery and be able to come back in a few months.

Thanks for listening,
Debbie

[Ceashels]

I would feel cheated too. Its a shame that the substitute is not up to par and even more of a shame that the director doesn't seem willing to push her harder to get the job done.

Can the 5 of you (who really want this) form a study group to really drill and quiz each other? You are there for learning and whether it is done by an instructor or by self teaching take advantage of the resources you do have... each other.

I had a similar situation with an education class. The guy they found to teach it just wanted us to get the basics and pass whether we did the work or not. I wanted so much more out of it.

[Darlene]

Good idea about the study group Ceashels. Hope your teachers health improves quickly and she can be back with you and that you get a teacher that teaches in the interim.
Good luck!

[cmdarlin]

We're trying to study during our lunch breaks. I feel sorry for the kids in the class too that are really wanting to learn. I have a couple that will come ask me questions because the teacher/sub can't answer them. Its sad.

Debbie

[prftstrngr]

Study group is a great idea even if just during lunch hours. What about approaching this teacher and telling her flat out...we want to learn more than this. Your the teacher so give us a lesson plan. Its not going to hurt to tell her what you think and I would be pushing that director to find a teacher asap!

[PrairieRose]

You could announce to the whole class (when the sub isn't around) about the study group. I would even be inclined to ask if the other students could perhaps be more respectful. Explaining that a lot of the class is feeling slighted b/c of their behaviour. (if you do this tactfully, naturally they're gonna get ticked off but you're not there to make friends as much as learn, right? and they'll get over it...... )

[Hannahs mom]

I would talk to the substitute, because even as a sub. teacher she should have control of the classroom. Even if she doesn't have the knowledge to "teach" she can still (or has the responsibility to ) control the climate in the classroom. If talking to her didn't help, I'd talk to the kids myself.

[momof2joys]

I think the study group is a great idea. I would also talk to the sub directly!! She needs to know and understand how things should work in the class!! Even it's not something that she understands, she should at least try to teach something, and get some sort of study guide for you guys!!

[beks37]

You are paying for this class, and the sub is getting paid to teach it. I would talk to the sub about your concerns for sure. Maybe he/she doesn't realize what is going on. I always hated it in college when I was there to learn and some kids were only there to get a passing grade. The study group is a great idea, especially if there are others that feel the same way you do. Sounds like it could be a fun/good class.

[janelane]

Ugh, that's always been a hang up of mine as well, too many kids in a class that think they're in grade 13 become distracting and disruptive to people who really want to learn. Sorry you're feeling frustration. I agree with the others re a study group. Stay persistent with the director, too. I hope things turn positive soon.

[Nishu]

You should also announce to the whole class that they need to shut their yaps and turn off their cell phones. Ask a couple classmates to back you up. You may not be the most popular person in class, but 9 times out of 10, the offenders will get the point and snap it shut. If they're high school kids and they don't start acting right, I'd get in touch with their school. I don't play around with jerks in my classroom. I come to the internetz if I want to watch large groups of kids act like jackasses.

As for the rest, I'd just keep making some noise till you get an agreement that you're happy with. Maybe your sub will suddenly not stink, or maybe you'll get reimbursed for the class.

Good luck!

[cmdarlin]

Well yesterday wasn't too bad. Three of the adults and a couple of the other students did approach the sub and explained how certain student's seem to be getting away with murder in class and how they were preventing the rest of us who want to learn from doing so. The Director called in the two girls from the morning class and got onto them about their cell phones and while they weren't happy about it, they did behave alot better.

We have a big test on nutrition on Tuesday after the holiday weekend which should be interesting. We basically read the chapter in class and assigned homework. We were able to discuss it cause the sub hadn't read it. She wouldn't go thru anything during class. Just says we'll go over the homework Tuesday and take the test. Well.... I have a problem with that. We're told to study the chapter, the test is going to be over our homework. What if you have the wrong answers? What if the homework is all wrong? You've study information that wasn't needed and aren't prepared to take her test.

Will be interesting! Wish me luck! I've already talked to one of the counselors and director and told them straight up I feel the class is going to be ill-prepared for a test. Heck, I could of taught the chapter better than she did. They told us Friday it should only be for another week. They have three people their considering. I just pray Mrs. Hulshof makes a full recovery from this and is able to come back in January.....

Debbie

[LuvMyHubby]

Debbie... I know you have wanted this for a long time, so don't let some silly little girls and one seat warmer stand in your way.

If a signficant number of you fail or do not do well on this test, go to the director as a group and point this out and see if this grade can be dropped or if a retest can be done after a better sub is found. I am pulling for your teacher to make a full recovery.