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To The Unhelpful Teacher

An open letter to the unhelpful teachers we've all had throughout our schooling.

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To The Unhelpful Teacher
Pixabay

Dear teacher,

I will admit, you did have your moments, but generally I feel as though you didn't try to find other ways to help me learn. Don't get me wrong, I loved the subject, and you were an awesome person, but the teaching style that you have just doesn't work for me. I may be too shy to talk to you, so I thought writing this letter would help me to release my feelings.

I want to start off by saying that just because it doesn't work for me, does not mean that it doesn't work for someone else. You may feel as though what you are doing is for the greater good, but I need to have it taught to me as if I am a little kid. I love being taught by a teacher, not by having to read something myself, constantly do projects or do research to learn the material on my own. Some people do like that, but I personally feel cheated when this happens, especially in college since I am paying to learn from someone.

Another thing is I love the subject you are teaching, but this comes back to how you are teaching it. The material is something I really care about, but how the class is set up I am not learning it to the best of my ability. Yes, I do the readings. Yes, I watch the out of class videos. Yes, I keep up with homework. I just can't learn if I am not getting the help inside of class. I ask questions, but sometimes the way you answer them is not the best way for me to understand. I will admit, if you had me when I didn't try I wouldn't be able to say these things. Now that I know that I need to try, I want to know that my education is seen as important. I want to know I am a person; not a number on your student chart.

My final thing is this: just because I do not like the way you teach, does not mean I am going to hold it against you as a person. I personally have issues sometimes when it comes to explaining material myself, so I would be a hypocrite to say that I am able to explain it better than you. You are an amazing person, and out of class you do what you can, but in class, I feel as though I am being left behind. There are some things that I get, but when I don't I try to ask questions the best I can. I get shy about asking questions sometimes, but there are times when I have asked and I didn't get the answer I was quite looking for.

I know that teaching can be hard, and I applaud you for having the courage to do it. I really look up to you, but when I am not getting the help I need I am suffering, which is causing me to fall behind. I want you to know that I am trying my best to keep up with you, but I am not sure how much more I can do without some kind of help from you as well.

Sincerely,

A confused student

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