Teacher Shyness

[Super_Spork]

So, I'm terrible at math.

My problem isn't really understanding how the problems and everything works, my problem is that my math teacher is the only teacher that I find unapproachable, so when I need help, I don't ask because I've seen him yell at other students when they ask for help. They find it hilarious, like a joke, but I don't. I don't like being yelled at, but I know he will if I ask him in class.

This is the only class I'm having trouble in, and I'm nearly failing, but I know it's because I need to figure out how to study effectively(and because I misplaced my book for about two weeks and got zeros or half-credit for all of those assignments; I could only borrow a friend's book for so long). I have no idea how to do that, so I asked about a tutor at school. The tutors at school never showed up when I waited for them, and my mother doesn't want to pay for a tutoring company(for some reason). She thinks that I should ask the teacher, but I think that he'll either tell me to look over my notes(which doesn't work for me), or tell me to use the tutors, who are unreliable. Plus, like I described earlier, he is a jerk. But she won't listen to me.

I'm not really sure what to do at this point. Does anyone have any ideas? If I end up having to talk to the jerk teacher, how can I do it in a way that will get me the best results? Thanks in advance.

[robybang]

Find another math teacher you like and ask them. Just explain to them that despite your other teacher's help, you still don't get it, and maybe they have a different approach to solving the problem. Just don't bad mouth the other teacher in front of them, they might be friends outside of school.

[Nikkinoodles]

I'd suggest maybe going to talk to him when he's in the staffroom or where ever your teachers congragate during breaks and lunch etc. Hopefully there will be other teachers there so that if he does start acting out of line and shouting at you one of them may be smart enough to step in. I'd hope that if he sees that you are nervous about coming to see him he will accept that you are truly struggling. Also if he does tell you to do what you've already tried try to calmly explain that you've already tried those methods and that they haven't worked and hopefully he will understand that you are truly struggling. Also bare in mind that some people just can't understand math past the simple stuff, I know it was that way for some people at school.
As for the misplacing of books try and set aside a shelf in your room or where ever you tend to study and place your books there, always putting them back when you're done with them.
With the studying, maye ask one of your friends who does well in that class how they go about their studying or ask all your friends. One person's method won't necessarily work for you because everyone learns in a different way but they might suggest something that when combined with some other methods will really help you.
Before you do any of this though I'd write down everything that you struggle with and take that with you. That way when the teacher or your friends ask what you're struggling with you can effectively tell them.
However I take issue with the fact that your teacher is yelling at anyone who asks for help. Teachers are there to help students, not make them too scared to ask for assistance. If you do ask him and he shouts at you still maybe go to the headteacher and make a complaint while asking to remain anonymous. If he has such anger towards students asking for help he doesn't seem cut out for teaching and should at most be disciplined in someway. There's a good chance that students who laugh at him yelling at them are probably just as worried about being shouted at but cover it up in a different way and that they don't see it as a joke at all.

Hope this helps.

[corruption]

About the tutors at school, I see a real problem there. I am not sure how it works, but I am guessing they are students from higher years who are supposed to already know this stuff. Some would get credits for tutoring, or be using it as an excuse to get out of their house without their parents raising a fuss. (Being down as a tutor would be in case their parents checked up with the school.). If they just blow off those who need to learn, like in your case, I am guessing they are doing the same to other students who also need help. Tell the teachers! It is not just you who is suffering due to them ignoring the tuturing sessions.

On a side note, it will tell your teacher that you are trying, and he may not be so angry. If he tries to brush you off and tell you to use a school tutor, just tell him something like, "Tried that, but they never showed." That should catch his attention.

[magnetic-porcupine]

umm well you could try just asking him and getting yelled at in the process. Everyone gets yelled at anyway, right? It's not like you've done something wrong. It's his fault. (assuming he does help you in math after the yelling ._. if he doesn't then don't bother)

It might be discouraging at first, but you'll get used to it eventually There's probably gonna be more teachers like him in future, and if you don't get used to it now you'll have to spend the rest of your life looking for alternate solutions I think it's best to just overcome your dislike for getting yelled at now. If the other kids think it's funny, he's probably not that condescending

[Vitotamito]

I had this guy, Mr. Miller, who used to call me dipstick and "Red" all the time and taught absolutely nothing in our class. The way to get around it is to find a tutor or a friend who's in a higher level math class to help you out. Also, if the tutor/friend is a hot chick you can have "after school study sessions" that are usually just a code word for sex.

OR you can call them an Asshole in class. I did it and he thought it was hilarious, and then he helped me. Just go, "Can you stop being an asshole for one minute and just help me?" OR he might give you detention.

[SRQ]

Everybody has a different learning style, and even within the same group types individuals all take a slightly different approach to things. Teachers should be properly trained to spot each student's style and lead the class at a pace which suits everybody. However, the number of teachers actually capable of this is small.

First of all, I would recommend identifying your learning style, if you don't know it already. By finding out how you learn best, you will also be able to clearly see why you aren't doing well in this particular teacher's lessons. This website has a test which you can quickly take to find out which learning style you fit into.

After you know how and why you learn the way you do, approach him after a lesson or during a break and calmly say that you are having trouble understanding things, and which parts of the lesson you're having trouble with. At this point it would be helpful to him for you to mention your learning style, and why you're hesitant in approaching him. Chances are he's a big ball of stress, so you telling him that you're afraid of being shouted at for not understanding may have more of an impact than you might think.

If this doesn't work, then you can always go and talk to the school counsellor or even the principal. When you're explaining the problem, don't be too tempted to pin all the blame on the teacher. Just say why you're having trouble in his classes and with which specific parts. Even if they can't do anything about him in class, you will at least be in a better place when it comes to studying and revision, knowing exactly which parts you need to focus on.

I hope that helps DX

[xkrazydog]

if you talk with him earnestly, he wont yell at you. If he does tend to explode at everything, then i find it odd he's still teaching. if your willing to learn and do the extra work of his help, i'm sure he'll reciprocate.