Teachers and fairness (WAS Is Snape unfair with House Points? )

[jenny_ravenclaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 56660

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Shaun Hately" <drednort at a...> 
wrote:
 
> I remember having many teachers like Snape at school, and I thank 
God every day I did. Yes, I had to endure their cutting remarks, and 
sometimes that hurt. But they taught me to think in ways that other 
teachers never had. They ignited a fire of learning in me that burns 
brightly. I didn't come out of their classes afraid, I came out of 
them enraged and wanting to show them what I could do.>

This is exactly where I think Snape goes wrong and where I can 
understand why so many people here think Snape should be fired.  Snape 
picks on students because he can.  He may not like being a teacher, 
but he does enjoy teaching and he loves the authority he has in the 
classroom.  He likes it so much that he confuses insulting and 
intimidating students with teaching.  Shaun, you may have been 
motivated by Snape-like teachers, but most students are not.  The 
teachers in my past who picked on me made me feel terrible.  I never 
wanted to participate in their classes and now, as a teacher, I can't 
tell you how many times my students have approached me to complain 
about another teacher treating them unfairly.  I am shocked to hear of 
some of the things teachers have actually said to students.  It makes 
me understand why so many NYC kids don't want to stay in school.  

It is not Snape's job to "toughen up" his students.  It is his job to 
teach them how to brew successful potions.  It is also his job to know 
how to work with his students, to assess their skills and to help them 
strengthen their weaknesses while encouraging them to use their 
strengths - positively, not negatively.  He knew he was terrifying 
Neville and to me, that is quite an abuse of his position.  He also 
knew, I am sure, that insulting Hermione would be the ultimate in 
nasty actions, as all 14 year old girls are extremely self-conscious.  
He knew exactly how to hit her where it hurts.

Teachers should not be bullies.  It is not their job to use methods of 
intimidation to get results from students.  I get some great work from 
my students because I encourage them by smiling and by complimenting 
them (I'm no pushover, though!), not by scowling and scaring the hell 
out of them.  Snape can be a strict teacher who earns the respect of 
his students by respecting them.  Right now, I see no evidence that he 
respects them, and I'm not sure what lesson there is in that.

--jenny from ravenclaw, whose students could kick Snape's ass if they 
took his wand away *********************