Quality of Hogwarts' less-regarded teachers

[Olivia]

No: HPFGUIDX 43653


I agree wholeheartedly Marcus, with all the points you made. And I'd like to
add a couple points of my own.

For one, it's said over and over again, but it can't hurt to reiterate it at
least one more time: we're see Hogwarts from Harry's point of view. It's
common knowledge that most kids just don't like school. They don't want to
do homework, they don't want to sit in class and take notes, they don't want
to have to listen to lectures, but that's all part of growing up. Even
Hermione finds that she's dangerously close to being in over her head in
Book 3 when she takes on more classes using the Time Turner.

Professor Binns may give a very dry class in lecturing directly from his
notes, but it's part of the curriculum and the students need to learn it. As
Marcus said, Professor Snape is very strict but he needs to be. How did it
go in Book 1 to the First Years on their first day of class? "You are here
to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making." There's zero
room for error and as much as it seems that Snape would be a lot happier if
Hogwarts had no students, he certainly doesn't want to see any of them blow
themselves up. Very similar arguments can be made for the other teachers as
Marcus very nicely pointed out.

But it's essential to remember that we're seeing Hogwarts through the eyes
of a teenage boy who would much rather be out on the Quidditch field than
memorizing the details of the goblin rebellions or precisely measuring out
potions ingredients.

Olivia

Marcus said:

"We tend to brand certain Hogwarts' teachers as incompetent.  The list
usually includes Quirell, Lockhart, Trelawney, and Binns.  Some might
include Snape in that list.  I have to ask, why? . . . . even the least
regarded Hogwarts' teachers are doing their job.  They are teaching.  Give
them -- and Dumbledore -- a break."