Is it normal for a college instructor to act this way?

26% Normal
8 Comments

I had a teacher that was extremely kind and enthusiastic to me when I took her class and helped me get the grade I wanted. I attached a note to my teacher after grades were posted along with information she wanted:

[name]

Thank you for your generous help this quarter. I truly appreciate your willingness to work with my [name of assignment] as well as your clear and detailed explanations to all my other concerns. In the end, it was a direct reason why I was able to improve and exceed my goal for this class!

Thanks again,
[my name]

But then next quarter my teacher was acting like a whole different person. Instead of being kind and enthusiastic like I mentioned before, she avoided me and the last time me and my former teacher were walking at a close distance toward each other. My teacher then turned around looked my dead in the eyes with a blank face and then turned around and walked away.

Is this normal behavior? I can think of so many reasons why I got this reaction, but I cannot think of which one is correct. Is it because she thought "I've done my job, it's time to move on," or is it something I said, or was she just nervous or is it something else? I cannot tell.

Voting Results
26% Normal
Based on 34 votes (9 yes)
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Comments ( 8 )
  • Avant-Garde
    11 years ago

    Maybe, she misunderstood the context of your letter? I've taken a few courses at CC and after the classes none of my teachers ever acted like that. I saw one of them a few years ago and she was still awesome. I think you should try to see what's going on and try to explain your side/letter a bit more.

    Good Luck!

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  • unkn0wnperson
    11 years ago

    I don't understand why she would do that. Maybe she's really busy and maybe she's in her thoughts that when she sees you she just can't recall at that moment ( being so positive here lol )

    But I don't see why she would do that to you...

    Are you a guy? you know sometimes people are scared of rumors going around because of a relationship between teacher and student.

    Maybe she took it to a different level. However that was very nice of you to send her that letter and not alot of people do that.

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  • NeuroNeptunian
    11 years ago

    I wouldn't take it personally.
    Something as ambiguous as this is very difficult to interpret, but do remember that she probably has a million other things going on in her life and you are probably the furthest thing from her mind. The world... it does not revolve around you, friend.

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    • [Old Memory]
      11 years ago

      It does make sense with the world does not revolve around you kinda thing, but I dont think the OP is thinking that at all, I think he just appreciated a good teacher who went out of their way to help an enthusiastic student. And finds it strange that the teacher doesnt seem to be as approachable as they had been the semester before.

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      • NeuroNeptunian
        11 years ago

        Then she probably has other things on her plate. College instructors are generally very busy and active people if they have any dedication at all to their jobs.

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  • [Old Memory]
    11 years ago

    Don't take it personally. From my experiences, most professors are total scatterbrains outside of the classroom. It most likely was not you, but if you are truly concerned, pay her a visit to reiterate your appreciation of her extra help - see how she reacts then.

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    • NeuroNeptunian
      11 years ago

      This.

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  • ccjigsaw
    11 years ago

    Teachers have a life outside of school to, maybe things just aren't going well for her at the moment

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