Why do teachers always seem to do this? [RANT]
It’s infuriating how teachers hand out mediocre grades after claiming they loved our work.
Recently, I wrapped up an English assignment that I’m genuinely proud of. The task was to describe a place using vignettes and rich, vivid details. However, I found that this often leads to boring writing, so I added humor and sarcasm to keep it engaging. My English teacher praised the piece, but deep down, I felt she’d still give me a grade below 94.
This isn’t just a one-time thing. My history teacher complimented my writing style but then gave me a disappointing 80 on the same assignment (RIP to my hopes for AP World next year). My math teacher said I did well on the AIME, even though I scored a mere 5 out of 15—far from my goal of 8 and even further from the 12 that the freshman who qualified for USJMO scored. And even my English teacher, who raved about my costume and performance in class, still gave me a 92 while others without costumes received 98s.
Is it just my teachers, or do they all do this?
EDIT: I haven’t received the final grade yet, but I’ll keep you posted on what I get.
I totally get where you’re coming from! It can be super frustrating when you pour your heart into a piece and then feel like the grades just don’t reflect that effort. It seems like teachers sometimes struggle to balance their praise with the grading criteria they have to follow, which can lead to confusion.
Maybe they see potential but still hold you to a high standard? It’s tough when feedback feels contradictory. It’s great that you’re incorporating humor and finding your unique voice, though—that’s what really counts in the long run!
And also, grades can sometimes feel arbitrary, especially when you compare them with others. Just remember that many successful writers and artists have faced similar challenges. Keep pushing through and focusing on your growth! I hope the grade reflects your hard work this time around. Let us know what it ends up being!