Is Snape a good teacher?

[Angela Burgess]

No: HPFGUIDX 132423

"greg_a126" <grega126 at a...> wrote:

<snip> 
"Tell him he has two choices for his new potions master: one who 
will make sure every single student who walks through his class room 
gets an O on their exam, but when Voldemort returns, loses his whole 
house to Voldemort's ranks.  The other is a jerk, whom no one will 
like.  Who will treat 3/4 of students unfairly, who may or may not 
be a good enough teacher to get any of his students through an 
exam.  But, during those 15 years, he develops enough close 
relationships with the students in his house, the Voldemort has to 
go elsewhere for his DE's.  Who is DD going to choose?"

<snip>

"In conclusion, Snape is going to be judged a good teacher or a bad 
one, not on the results his students get on their exams, but the 
results they get in life. How many Slytherins of the past 15 years 
become DE's?  How many will join the Order of the Phoenix?  The 
answer to that, and that alone, will determine his success as a 
teacher."


MmeBurgess says...

I have to say that I agree with you.  As a teacher, I would far 
rather affect my students' lives in a positive manner into their 
adulthood than rely on their ability to conjugate French verbs as a 
35-year-old.  

However, many people would disagree with both of us.  There are many 
people who believe that the job of a teacher is to simply teach 
their subject the best as is possible and leave all students alone 
outside of class.  To these people, I say, look at Lupin.  He taught 
his subject with great ability AND made a lasting impact on his 
students because he got to know them as real people.  His views will 
affect students (not just HRH) long into adulthood.

The only problem that I have with Snape is as a teacher, I disagree 
with his teaching methods.  I believe that he could be just as 
favoring to Slytherins without the cruelness towards students of 
other houses (e.g., Hermione's teeth, Neville's nervousness, etc.).  
But if, as Greg says, it saves 15 years of Slytherins from becoming 
DEs, then I will manage to forgive him.  

--MmeBurgess