When I was in fourth grade at R.C. Andrews school in Floydada, Texas, I had a teacher who didn’t like me very much. From day one she scowled at me and never let up. She might also have been scowling at the other students in my class, but her disdain felt pretty personal to me.
She was the first teacher who did not praise my early attempts at writing. I cannot recall a single positive word she ever wrote on a paper I turned in, only criticisms in bright red marks across the page.
Too LONG!
Not long enough!
Too silly!
Too serious!
You used the word love to describe your feelings for your dog and your new shoes. We only use that word for people.
Heck, I know I loved my dog, and those shoes were certainly P. F. Flyers that made me run faster and jump higher. Who wouldn’t love shoes that could do all that?
She once criticized me for using a word that she said was too big for me to understand.
Don’t use a five-dollar word when a fifty-cent word will do.
Of course I later learned that Mark Twain said that, and it makes perfect sense. But in my defense, I did understand the word: voluptuous. I used it in context, too. Perhaps that was the problem.
Floydada was, and remains, a small town. As an adult and a retired teacher I’ve speculated that perhaps this teacher held some grudge against one or both of my parents. Maybe even against my grandparents. And I received the brunt of it.
All I wanted was a little love from her, and if not love, just a little respect.
Take it away, Ms. Aretha Franklin:
Praying for Eyebrowz 
Miserable teacher … important for you to share. I’ve had a similar experience in the fifth grade by a mean, insensitive SOB … and also, great teachers, too … inspiring, encouraging and motivating.
LikeLiked by 3 people
When I taught I often thought about this woman. She must have been miserable in her job.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yeah…she can suck it now. 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just don’t think she was a very happy person.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Powerful influencers those teachers – sounds like this one could not appreciate her role.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think she just wasn’t a very happy woman.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not happy indeed, and decidedly in the wrong profession as well! You have to wonder how many creative minds she went on to squash after you…
LikeLiked by 1 person
As a teacher I had some awful days, but she seemed to have an awful year. I hope she got it all together for future classes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
fuck her….the end
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gross. ($0.50)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had at least three teachers like that growing up in the DC and Maryland area. It’s shocking that they got away with such horrible behavior. I also had some who were marvelous and inspiring.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We take the good, we take the bad….
LikeLike
Awww… BUT the hell with her x
LikeLiked by 1 person
😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
She was probably jealous x
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just think she was a middle aged woman stuck in Floydada, Texas, with a bunch of snot nosed kids to teach. Probably seemed like hell to her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Probably but think of the inspiration she could have been to them
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had a 7th grade English teacher who was way too critical….also a mother like that…but that’s a book in itself
LikeLiked by 1 person
You know, I never really minded the criticism if there was praise sprinkled in. Some folks can do that. I always used the sandwich approach: Criticism between two slices of praise.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m ok with constructive criticism….so much is just thinly veiled contempt
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly.
LikeLike