Hello, I am currently a sophomore in high school and am interested in applying to USAFA next year. I am planning on taking honors physics, which is the most advanced physics class I can take as a junior. There is only one teacher for this class, and have heard that he is a very bad teacher. I am debating on whether or not to switch into the regular class in order to get a better grade. Should I stay in the honors class even if I get a lower grade or should I switch to the regular class, where I would have a higher grade? I know how much the sciences matter at USAFA and would like to know which class+grade would look better to admissions. Thanks!
Bad Teacher
- Thread starter ALaz99
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Honors would definitely look better. AP would be even better. Are you sure he is a bad teacher, or are the folks you're hearing it from poor learners. How many people pass his class. What are the average grades. I'm confident your guidance counselor has the data.
The academies want to see you take the strongest courses possible.
The academies want to see you take the strongest courses possible.
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My friend's sister had the teacher 2 years ago and she was a straight A student, but his teaching was so bad that her grades dropped significantly. She had to go to her neighbor (who happened to love physics) in order to be re-taught the information the proper way. Thanks for all the advice, I will definitely look into it and keep it in mind
Hoodlum15
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As important as it is to prep yourself for the Academy if that is your goal, don't throw away your present preparing for your future. If he's a bad teacher and you're going to be miserable and not learn anything, it's not worth it. One class is not going to make or break your application.
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Unfortunately, there are a lot of bad physics teachers out there. I wouldn't have felt comfortable teaching physics, even at the high school level, until after I finished all my PhD coursework. It is a tough subject. If the honors teacher is truly a bad teacher, is the regular physics teacher better? If both are not great, I'd go ahead and go for honors and try to find someone outside of class to help. I also recommend youtube and Khan Academy videos, there are a lot of good lessons covering pretty much every AP physics topic available online. A college physics course over the summer would definitely be a better option if it is available.
I agree. "Bad" teacher can mean different things to various people. Are the students saying this ones you respect or do they simply complain about every teacher who gives challenging tests and expects homework done on time? Seems unlikely that every student taking that teacher's class does poorly.
jaglvr
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i tend to believe most kids that take school seriously. My DS took regular physics last semester. The teacher made it clear at parent night Calculus for his was not necessary (AP yes he said but not regular). My DS barely passed regular bc it was ALL calc based. To me that = bad teacher. we researched before class selection last spring too.
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AP teachers often treat their classes like college courses, and they don't do a lot of hand-holding.
This can give them the "bad teacher" moniker from kids who are accustomed to being spoon-fed information.
This could very well be the case, here.
This can give them the "bad teacher" moniker from kids who are accustomed to being spoon-fed information.
This could very well be the case, here.
Velocity2012
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My 2 cents - As you will be a junior next year take normal Physics with a teacher who is strong and give you a good foundation. Then as a senior you have the option to either take Advanced Physics from that teacher, take an online course, and preferably take the AP test as a senior. It give you the opportunity to get a super strong foundation in a core area of interest.
Christcorp
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I’ve been around teachers my whole life. From elementary education to university professors and technical school instructors. I’ve never met one whereby there wasn’t some student(s) who said that teacher sucked.
The truth is, usually, if a teacher is truly that bad, then enough students complain to their counselors, principal, etc. and the situation is addressed. It’s usually easy to validate when large numbers of 3.8+ gpa students all start getting C’s and similar in the class. Almost always, this is addressed.
I’ve found that the students who TRULY are exceptional with their grades and learning, manage to still do well in such classes. And they usually do so without complaining or making excuses. Not saying you are complaining or making excuses. You haven’t been in this teacher’s class.
Hint: you’re going to find teachers, bosses, co-workers, team members, etc. throughout your life that you think suck or are not up to par performing where you think they should. Some people take the easy way out. They take easier classes; quit their job and find another; use it as an excuse for their poor performance, etc. Others accept the challenge and confront the situation. They figure out what the other person’s parameters are and work within those confines; they engage the person and find mutual areas of agreement where by they learn to work together; they work harder on their own side of the process to ensure they succeed, etc.
The question really is, what is it you need and want, and what are you going to do to make sure you achieve and succeed in obtaining these things. I’ve had professors, teachers, instructors that truly sucked. They were very knowledgeable in the material; they simply weren’t effective teaching it. Sometimes I addressed this by asking very specific questions so they could answer with specific answers. Basically teaching them how to teach. Sometimes I played to the teacher’s strengths and interests to motivate them to be more interested in MY/OUR success.
So, if there’s a class that you need or want, and your choices of instructor are limited, you can take the easy way out and not take the class. Or, you can take the class, work harder if necessary, LEAD the instructor into teaching you what you need, and succeeding. Either decision you make, make it maturely and without making excuses.
Best of luck
The truth is, usually, if a teacher is truly that bad, then enough students complain to their counselors, principal, etc. and the situation is addressed. It’s usually easy to validate when large numbers of 3.8+ gpa students all start getting C’s and similar in the class. Almost always, this is addressed.
I’ve found that the students who TRULY are exceptional with their grades and learning, manage to still do well in such classes. And they usually do so without complaining or making excuses. Not saying you are complaining or making excuses. You haven’t been in this teacher’s class.
Hint: you’re going to find teachers, bosses, co-workers, team members, etc. throughout your life that you think suck or are not up to par performing where you think they should. Some people take the easy way out. They take easier classes; quit their job and find another; use it as an excuse for their poor performance, etc. Others accept the challenge and confront the situation. They figure out what the other person’s parameters are and work within those confines; they engage the person and find mutual areas of agreement where by they learn to work together; they work harder on their own side of the process to ensure they succeed, etc.
The question really is, what is it you need and want, and what are you going to do to make sure you achieve and succeed in obtaining these things. I’ve had professors, teachers, instructors that truly sucked. They were very knowledgeable in the material; they simply weren’t effective teaching it. Sometimes I addressed this by asking very specific questions so they could answer with specific answers. Basically teaching them how to teach. Sometimes I played to the teacher’s strengths and interests to motivate them to be more interested in MY/OUR success.
So, if there’s a class that you need or want, and your choices of instructor are limited, you can take the easy way out and not take the class. Or, you can take the class, work harder if necessary, LEAD the instructor into teaching you what you need, and succeeding. Either decision you make, make it maturely and without making excuses.
Best of luck
reflectagon
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I’d say challenge yourself and just go for it! You should be able to switch out if it’s truly as bad as you hear. My junior year, I took AP physics with no physical science background and struggled immensely (I got a 66 on my first test.) My teacher was definitely the worst I have ever had so far.
HOWEVER, before switching out, I spent an hour consulting my parents. They told me this was a good lesson for me: I needed to decide now whether to quit, or adapt on my own. Additionally, this problem would come up again throughout my life, and I could learn how to fail and struggle in high school, or I could put it off until later, when the consequences would be much more complicated. I agree with the above posters; college is going to be full of professors like our physics teachers- and they do not hand hold.
I portioned my time to make extra room for physics every day. For each unit, I watched every single khan academy video to supplement my teacher’s inadequate lessons (this was the most helpful!!) and also did some problems from the textbook even though none were assigned. I would still argue that she isn’t the best teacher, but that’s because I’ve been lucky enough to have such great teachers up until then. I’m sure you know this, but you must understand that it’s completely up to you to care about your grade.
This will be a great experience to grow from, if you decide that you are willing to put in the time and effort. It also was a major talking point during my interviews for my nominations
)You are already armed with the information that this teacher may not be the best.
Here are things you can do to do your best anyway:
0) GO TO CLASS, READ THE CHAPTERS, AND DO THE HOMEWORK!
1) Go to Teacher's office hours early in the semester and Ask this question: "I know this is a really difficult class-- what are some of the common mistakes students make and how can I avoid them?"
2) If you have problems with the homework, go to Teacher's office hours. If they have any "help sessions" or "study sessions" or any thing extra, go to them.
3) Form a study group with other kids in your class.
4) Don't do the minimum...for STEM classes do extra problems. You can buy books that just have problems for calculus or physics or chemistry whatever. Watch online videos (e.g., Khan Academy) about the topic you are studying.
5) If things still are not going well, get a tutor. Your National Honor Society will have some. Or ask a teacher for a referral.
6) Read this book: How to Become a Straight-A Student: The Unconventional Strategies Real College Students Use to Score High While Studying Less by Cal Newport. It helps you with things like time management and how to figure out what to write about for a paper, etc.
7) For tests that you didn't do well on, can you evaluate what went wrong? Did you never read that topic? Did you not do the homework for it? Do you kind of remember it but forgot what to do? Then next time change the way you study...there may be a study skill center at your guidance office.
8) How much time outside of class do you spend studying/doing homework? Is it enough?
9) If you run into any social/health/family troubles (you are sick, your parents are sick, someone died, broke up with boy/girlfriend, suddenly depressed/anxiety etcetc) then immediately go to the guidance counselor and talk to them.
10) At the beginning of the semester, read the syllabus for each class. It tells you what you will be doing and when tests/HW/papers are due. Put all of that in your calendar. The teacher may remind you of things, but it is all there for you to see so take initiative and look at it.
11) Make sure you understand how to use your online class system...Login to it, read what there is for your classes, know how to upload assignments (if that is what the teacher wants).
12) If you get an assignment...make sure to read the instructions and do all the tasks on the assignment. Look at the rubric and make sure you have covered everything.
13) If you are not sure what to do, go EARLY to the teacher's office hours...not the day before the assignment is due.
14) Take advantage of any "re-do" tests you may be able to take..your teacher wants you to learn the material. Future material depends on it so you need to have the foundation. By explaining what went wrong you really understand it. Take advantage of this.
Here are things you can do to do your best anyway:
0) GO TO CLASS, READ THE CHAPTERS, AND DO THE HOMEWORK!
1) Go to Teacher's office hours early in the semester and Ask this question: "I know this is a really difficult class-- what are some of the common mistakes students make and how can I avoid them?"
2) If you have problems with the homework, go to Teacher's office hours. If they have any "help sessions" or "study sessions" or any thing extra, go to them.
3) Form a study group with other kids in your class.
4) Don't do the minimum...for STEM classes do extra problems. You can buy books that just have problems for calculus or physics or chemistry whatever. Watch online videos (e.g., Khan Academy) about the topic you are studying.
5) If things still are not going well, get a tutor. Your National Honor Society will have some. Or ask a teacher for a referral.
6) Read this book: How to Become a Straight-A Student: The Unconventional Strategies Real College Students Use to Score High While Studying Less by Cal Newport. It helps you with things like time management and how to figure out what to write about for a paper, etc.
7) For tests that you didn't do well on, can you evaluate what went wrong? Did you never read that topic? Did you not do the homework for it? Do you kind of remember it but forgot what to do? Then next time change the way you study...there may be a study skill center at your guidance office.
8) How much time outside of class do you spend studying/doing homework? Is it enough?
9) If you run into any social/health/family troubles (you are sick, your parents are sick, someone died, broke up with boy/girlfriend, suddenly depressed/anxiety etcetc) then immediately go to the guidance counselor and talk to them.
10) At the beginning of the semester, read the syllabus for each class. It tells you what you will be doing and when tests/HW/papers are due. Put all of that in your calendar. The teacher may remind you of things, but it is all there for you to see so take initiative and look at it.
11) Make sure you understand how to use your online class system...Login to it, read what there is for your classes, know how to upload assignments (if that is what the teacher wants).
12) If you get an assignment...make sure to read the instructions and do all the tasks on the assignment. Look at the rubric and make sure you have covered everything.
13) If you are not sure what to do, go EARLY to the teacher's office hours...not the day before the assignment is due.
14) Take advantage of any "re-do" tests you may be able to take..your teacher wants you to learn the material. Future material depends on it so you need to have the foundation. By explaining what went wrong you really understand it. Take advantage of this.