Snape's Self-Perception as Teacher

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 144813

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Miles" <miles at m...> wrote:
>
> jessicabathurst wrote:
> > I've always been of the opinion that Snape hates teaching,
> > ..., but I've changed my mind.  Someone ... made an excellent
> > case for the efficacy of Snape's classroom technique, and ...,
> > his students score high marks in Potions.  So...what if Snape 
> > actually ENJOYS teaching?
> 
> Miles:
> ... that Snape's main problem with teaching potions - besides
> his very unpleasant character - is the subject. He loves it! 
> And most certainly most students do not share his love for 
> potionmaking. ... he doesn't want to see students mishandling
> his beloved potions.
> 
> Miles
>

bboyminn:

Between what you've said and what Sonja said in post# 144800 in this
same thread, I think we may be onto something.

I can understand the frustration that many teachers have with their
students. The students are so wrapped up in their teen-pop-culutre
lives that they can't give a thought to the future. I imagine that
every teacher at one time or another (most likely on a daily basis)
has had the uncontrollable urge to take a student firmly by the
collar, shake them vigorously, and scream in their face, "This is
important! This is your future! THIS MATTERS!". 

I suggest that this is the very frustration that Snape feels. In the
wizard world THIS SUBJECT MATTERS, it is important to the future of
every student, and there are immediate safety issues that suggest that
students should be paying attention to what they are doing and not the
latest 'tragedy' of their young teen lives. So, Snape is determined to
make the students take the subject seriously. 

I'm also reminded of Shaun's Snape-like teachers. These were teacher
who, much like Snape, MADE YOU take their class seriously. The more
you resisted; the more they demanded. There was only excellence, and
everything else was failure. So, in Snape's class, if you don't keep
up or perform at his standard, he will drag you kicking and screaming
into compliance. 

Just another perspective.

Steve/bboyminn