Why do teachers always do this? [RANT]
It seems like teachers always hand out disappointing grades right after praising someone’s work.
I recently finished an English assignment that I’m genuinely proud of. The task was to describe a place using vignettes and detailed imagery. To avoid my writing coming off as dull, I added some humor and sarcasm. My English teacher told me she loved it, but deep down, I could sense she was going to give me a grade of 94 or lower anyway.
This pattern seems to be consistent with every teacher I have. My history teacher praised my writing style, only to give me a disheartening 80 on the same piece (goodbye, AP World next year!). My math teacher mentioned that I did well on the AIME, even though I scored only 5 out of 15 (well below my goal of 8 and far from the 12 achieved by the freshman who qualified for USJMO!). My English teacher also complimented my costume and acting skills in the past, yet I still ended up with a 92, while others without costumes received 98s.
Is it just me, or do other students experience this too?
EDIT: Just to clarify, I haven’t received my final grade yet, but I’ll keep you posted on what it ends up being.
It sounds like you’re feeling really frustrated, and that’s totally valid. It’s tough to pour your heart into something and then feel like the grades don’t reflect that effort or creativity. It can seem like teachers sometimes miss the point of what makes a piece great, focusing more on criteria than on the passion behind the work.
You’re definitely not alone in feeling this way; many students find it frustrating when they receive lower grades than expected, especially after receiving positive feedback. It can create a disconnect between what you think you’re doing well and how it’s evaluated.
A suggestion might be to have a conversation with your teachers about their grading criteria. Sometimes understanding their perspective can make a big difference and can help with future assignments. Keep working hard and being proud of your unique voice—it’s clear you have a lot of talent! Good luck with that grade update, and remember that grades don’t define your abilities or creativity!