In Defense of Snape (Against Snape in JKR's words)

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 122186



Matt wrote:
Some have said that Snape's teaching methods might not be the nicest 
teaching methods, but that they work for some and even most 
students, so it is okay.  However, when a teacher engages in 
personal attacks on students, then there is a line that is being 
crossed.  Even if many of the students benefit from a "hard" 
teacher, if a minority of students suffer under that teacher (such 
as Neville), then the method is wrong, and a better teaching method 
should be found.

Shaun: 
This simply isn't reasonable in my view. 
It is pretty much impossible to expect a teachers' - any teachers' 
- methods to work for every child they teach. Every single method 
of education in existence fails to work for some kids, and harms 
some kids.
 
This is because children are individuals with individual learning 
styles. There are considerable overlaps among how children learn, 
but there are pretty much no universals.

If you eliminate from education, every single method that a 
minority of students could suffer from, you will wind up 
eliminating every single method of teaching.

huge snip.


Alla:

Well, it is entirely reasonable in mine. I am not advocating 
eliminating all different teaching styles, but I do believe that 
cruelness and vindictiveness has no business in the classroom.

Even if  the teacher abuses ONE child in the classroom, such teacher 
has no business teaching, not IMO and we have enough evidence to 
argue that Snape abuses at least two and to some extent Hermione 
two, IMO.


I think that the assumption that Snape has sadistic tendencies is 
supported by JKR's saying that he does not get DA, because 
Dumbledore is afraid that it is going to bring the worst in him.

I also want to thank Vmonte for wonderful list of the examples 
here. :o)

But let's forget Snape's teaching methods per se for as second.

Imagine the situation that your child goes to school where his/her 
teacher was your class mate who for some reason ... dislikes you 
very much and singles out your child based on THAT REASON ONLY.

Would you still argue that such situation is OK? Oh, yes and imagine 
that you know for sure that with the different teacher your child 
can excel in  the subject.

Going back to Snape's teaching methods... I still say that we have 
no definite proof that any of the Gryffs except Hermione learn 
anything in his class, even though Umbridge does call his 
class "advanced". I am entirely willing to assume that Snape does 
teach some students well, so don't you think that  the LEAST that 
Dumbledore owes students who suffer in Snape's class is to hire 
another Potion master? I know, we would have no story then. :o)


Just my opinion,

Alla