Letter: The importance of a bad teacher

We’ve all had that teacher. You know, the one that once they open their mouth for the first time you know it’s going to be a long semester. What normally happens is one of two things: 1) You drop the class whenever possible and spare yourself the 14-week agony, or 2) You buck up and get only as much from the class as necessary to pass with the desired grade. Option two, while painful, can afford a unique opportunity for growth. Be the teacher horribly monotone, overly opinionated, long-winded, out of touch or willfully inept, you’re there and you might as well get everything you can out of the experience.

Highly opinionated teachers foster an environment of conflict. This often leads to debate and discussion. This is an opportunity to hone your conflict management skills. Knowledge about the topic being discussed is pertinent to thoughtful conversation along with open-mindedness. The likelihood of you changing your teacher’s view shouldn’t be the goal. The goal is to provide valid evidence to your assertions and have the open mind they don’t. If all else fails, restraint can also be a valuable tool learned. To say nothing when being prodded is a skill many are lacking.

While monotone teachers and long-winded speeches make most want to fall asleep, including me, persistence should be the goal. In the highly connected world technology has given us, it is very easy to just get on your laptop or phone and respond to your email when the teacher starts talking. Why even go to class if that’s the case? Learning to really listen to someone, even when the information being delivered is hard to comprehend, helps you focus on your concentration and patience. The thing you really needed to hear to understand the material might have been in the middle of the speech just given. Put the electronics away.

Last, and the worst of them all in my opinion, are the out-of-touch or willfully inept teacher. The one that is hanging on with little or nothing left to give. While this teacher probably didn’t start out like this, it has no bearing on the fact you are in their class now. What this situation best fosters is the relationship between the students. You’re in all the boat together, might as well start paddling. Getting to know others, organizing meetings, learning to explain concepts and ideas to someone else are important tools that can be used in multiple social environments.

So here is the deal. Why sit through a class and waste your time? If you’re in the class be in the class. Learn what you can from whoever you can. If you are in school long enough you will have a bad teacher. If that’s the case use the tools that are available to you: TAs, Writing Center, tutors, library, etc. You get out what you put into a class. In my experience, the worst teachers have taught me some of my most important lessons.

— Michelle Arnold