Hermione and Snape/Definition of Snape-like teacher /a bit of Lupin

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 128344


Julie says:
I think it was Pippin who mentioned that Snape doesn't call on 
Hermoine in class as an example of how he treats her as a capable 
student, and I agree. Treating a student as capable and aiding a 
gifted student in achieving all she possibly can are not the same 
thing, of course. So Snape treats her as a capable student, since he 
only calls on the ones he suspects aren't up to snuff on whatever's 
being taught at the moment.
But he doesn't make any effort to enhance Hermoine's abilities; 
instead he leaves her to do her best on her own. Which, fortunately 
she does. 

Alla:

Well, Julie, after reading this paragraph I think I can concede to 
that, if I would make the wording a bit more harsh - instead of
"Snape 
treats Hermione as capable student" - something like Snape treats 
Hermione as someone who can learn the material with minimum 
interference from him.

I am glad that we are on the same page though in assessing that Snape 
does not make any efforts to enhance Hermione's abilities. 


Julie: 
BTW, I'm glad you brought up the grade issue. It does bring up an
interesting fact about Snape. From what we can observe, no matter
how he feels about any student, it appears he is quite fair in his
grading. 
<SNIP>
I admit grading does reflect Snape's teaching methods, such as 
whether he makes Neville so fearful the boy can't perform, or 
whether he lets Draco get away with certain excuses he 
wouldn't dream of allowing Harry or Ron. But if a student does
want to learn and isn't going to allow Snape's snarkiness to
affect him/her, then that student *will* get the good grade, as
in Hermoine's case. That does indicate some bit of integrity
on Snape's part (that not every teacher has, BTW). It's not the 
whole picture on Snape of course, but it's one demostrably
positive attribute ;-)


Alla:

I am ALMOST in agreement with you that Snape grades fairly, except 
where it concerns Harry, of course.

I don't know if it is indeed true that Dumbledore had to interfere to 
make Snape give Harry a passing grade in potions in PoA, or it is 
simply Harry's imagination, but it IS a possibility, I think.

And of course those cases of sabotaging Harry's potion in OOP also 
speak against it, IMO.

One can argue of course that only OWL grade matters, BUT it does not 
make Snape a fair grader, even if he sabotages the grade which does 
not really matter, IMO.


Alla wrote earlier:
<snip>
...IMO emotionally unstable teacher has no business being near 
children, simply because he/she may harm them permanently AND it will 
interfere with their ability to teach.Who knows which action may 
trigger alarm in the emotionally unstable teacher's head and what 
he/she can do to the student who did it. 
 
Betsy:
So then you are in complete agreement with those who think Lupin 
should not teach and should never been allowed to teach?  After all,
a 
teacher who if he forgets his meds will try and eat the student body 
is a perfect example of an "unstable" teacher, wouldn't you say? And 
I'd say being eaten is a good example of permanent harm. <g>


Alla:

Right, you got me here. Except NO. :-)

I said " emotionally unstable" teacher, not "physically unstable". 
Maybe I should add - " emotionally unstable" teacher who does not 
consider himself to be emotionally unstable and does not take any 
steps to rectify the situation.
It seems to me that Lupin IS perfectly aware of his danger to the 
students , no?


Just my opinion of course,

Alla.