More on Snape

[snow15145]

No: HPFGUIDX 102762

Alla:
>
>
> I was like Hermione in school... to certain extent. I always knew 
the
> answer (Not in all classes, mind you :o), in some), but I was shy
> enough to raise my hand all the time.
>
> I cannot remember of any teacher who tried to shut me up, when I
> indeed raised my hand.

Shaun relied:
Whereas, I can remember about a dozen... it's one of those areas
where experiences can differ greatly.

Now as I've said before, I work with gifted kids, and I was one.
Teacher hostility towards students who always answer the questions
is quite a common experience for these kids. It occurs for
multiple reasons - sometimes it's because the teacher sees it as
disruptive in some ways, because it discourages others from
answering. Sometimes it's because the teacher sees it as a form of
boasting. Sometimes it's because the teacher regards it as somehow
unfair to other students to let the bright child be too obvious.
Sometimes the teacher is a rotten teacher - other times, they may
actually be a very good teacher, just not specifically informed or
trained about teaching this specific population.
>snipped Shaun<
Some teachers certainly do view these children as a plus in their
classrooms - but the opposite is a very recognised problem.

I'm glad you didn't experience it - but it is very common indeed.

Snow replies:
My one child was accepted into what we call the gifted program (in 
our home town in the U.S.) and has always had to deal with, what I 
call opposite prejudice, being gifted since she was five in 
kindergarten. I have seen teachers that can allow her to excel and I 
have also seen teachers who feel almost threatened by her. Having 
dealt with many teachers of many opinions towards her, I feel 
confident that Snape is not the type of teacher who would be 
threatened by this type of student's abilities. In fact, the child I 
am referring to said she would prefer Snape's teaching because "He 
expects" according to her. The abuse type issue isn't a factor to 
her, because she doesn't look at it in that way.  Snape isn't abusive 
but demanding. 
Snape goads Harry in much the same way that Umbridge did. He pushes 
Harry's buttons in an attempt to make him control his emotions and 
Harry can't control them any more than he was able to control them 
with Umbridge. McGonnagel attempts to teach Harry that he needs to 
control his emotions with Umbridge and Harry still can't abide. Snape 
isn't Umbridge thank goodness but I feel he was still trying to get 
that message across about respect and controlling your emotions. 
My other child is of the opposite spectrum of the gifted class of 
people having had an operation at the age of 15 mos. that rendered 
her almost speechless among other things and in much need of care. I 
have also dealt with many people, who in her life expected, what I 
thought at the time to be too much. (not unlike the feelings many 
have about Snape) I have since this terrific incident, many years 
ago, been made aware that it is the Snape type of attitude (like my 
other daughter says) that allows them to learn. "Expect it" and in 
Snapes case demand it. You only get what you are looking for. If you 
only see a person as unable to do something, I assure you they wont 
let you down, but if your expectations are set higher than your 
belief, to your astonishment they will succeed.  I actually see Snape 
as the type of teacher, in both children's scenarios, who expects 
that person to learn. We'll have to see if any of his "abused" 
students let him down in the OWLS. I don't think they will and I feel 
that is credited to the teacher.