[TheBigB]

My own similar story doesn;t have to do with any type of political stuff; but back in 9th grade my history teacher, Mr. Vinson, was a great guy. But it was history; I mean, all I had to do was read the book and aced every test. 90% of my time in class was spent turned around talking to my friend Verlin. When our report cards came out, I had an A+ and the comment, "Does not pay attention." I tried to convince my parents why the contradiction. :)

[CatoRenasci]

Ah, yes. In 6th grade, class was so boring that I read the Encyclopaedia Britannica under my desk instead of paying attention. Much more interesting. Of course, I aced all the tests and had the answer whenever called upon.

The teacher hated me and was most unpleasant. He was a poster child for the ills of tenure described by Max Rafferty in Suffer Little Children! In fact, reading that book under my desk in class got me sent to the principal's office! LOL!! He pulled a few too many impermissable stunts with me and a couple of other kids (including one he didn't realize had an uncle on the Board of Education), and ended up with the choice of being fired or teaching the retarded. He finished his 30 years faithfully (??) putting in his time in a special education classroom. I always felt those poor kids, who wouldn't know the difference, deserved better.

[7thson]

I believe it was the ninth grade, in History. The teachers name was Mrs. Layman. You always remember the names of the good ones. Anyway, one day some skank of a girl was misbehaving and Mrs. Layman instructed her to straighten up. The skank said the classroom was like communism. Mrs. Layman became furios. She verbally lit into that skank for about 15-20 minutes, explaining the differences between communism and a Constitutional Republic. Made a lasting impression on me. I liked history up to that time but really took a great interest in the subject after that. Especally American History!

[Thinkin' Gal]

I had an A+ and the comment, "Does not pay attention." I tried to convince my parents why the contradiction. :)

Ahhh, memories.

Those were the good old days, when grades were based on actual results (test scores), rather than being weighed down by subjective interpretations of what constitututes class participation. I never volunteered answers in classroom discussions, and when called upon, usually responded with a vegetative, "I don't know". What kid wants to be tagged as a know-it-all, except the obnoxious Bill Clinton types.

Too many teachers are like the camp counselors in Addams Family Values. Kids who don't tow the party line risk being sent to the Harmony Hut until they are thoroughly brainwashed and smiling vacuously.