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frndlyghost · Oct 24, 2007, 01:52 AM

I'm wondering if anyone else is experiencing this problem. I'm taking Financial Accounting, and have discovered that I may have a learning disability or two. I've taken a couple of preliminary tests, and there's a strong indication that I may have Dyscalculia and Adult ADD.
I had two Business classes with this same professor last semester, and I maintained a B average. If I had a question, or needed help with anything, he was right there to help. But now, I'm not doing so well. I have trouble making sense of the illustrations in my book, and the numbers confuse me.
I had trouble obtaining a book in the first place, due to Financial Aid money that still hasn't arrived although it's been promised. I ended up using my rent money to buy my books, but that's another story. The prof. had said that if anyone had trouble getting books, they should talk to him and he'd do what he could. So I talked to him. He advised me to drop the class. He said I'd fall too far behind and never get caught up. That was the first night of class. I had the book by the next class two days later.
As I said, I'm having trouble with the numbers and diagrams in the book. But every time I ask my professor for help, he just advises me to drop the class, and doesn't answer my questions. My assignments come back with statements like "Too many errors to grade." I got online help from a CPA, turned in a perfect paper, and got that back marked "Too many errors".
I'm getting tutoring, which he was happy about. I even stay after class for extra help, although this usually means waiting 30 to 45 minutes while he chats with his favorite students about stuff that doesn't even pertain to class. I've told him that I'm about to be tested for learning disabilities, and that I also have a hearing problem (so does he). I even have an Assistive Listening Device, on loan from the Disabled Students Association office. So I'm getting all the help I can. The tutoring just started last week, and so far so good. But still, each time I have a question, he either ignores me completely or advises me to drop the class.
My professor treats me like I'm some sort of disease that must be gotten rid of. I go home frustrated. Last night, I went home in tears. The class meets on Monday and Wednesday nights, which means I have a very long day on those days. I leave the house at 8:30 AM (sometimes earlier), and don't get home until after the Financial Accounting class. He usually lets the class out between 8:30 and 9 PM and stays after to give homework help. Now that I'm staying after class, I don't get home till 10 PM. So I don't like having to wait 45 minutes just to end up being ignored, like last night. When I told him I was having trouble reading the diagrams, he said "Those are called 'pictures'". Then he said "We'll talk after class on Wednesday," and started to leave!! I did NOT wait almost an hour for THAT!! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: So I followed him out, and tried to explain my situation. But he didn't listen (he told the class that if he has his back turned, he may not hear us. I have the same problem, so when he deliberately turned his back on me, I know what it meant).
Sorry this is so long. I guess I just have a lot to get off my chest. The man treats me like crap, and I don't know just what to do. I don't want to cause trouble, and I can't drop the class. I need it for my Degree. This is my last semester. If I pass this class, I can graduate. But when I told the prof. all that, and mentioned the ways I've been trying to help myself, all he had to say was, "Well, you already know your grades are in the toilet. There's nothing you can do that will get you anything better than a D, and that grade will go on your permanent record." Not very encouraging. :( :(
Does anyone have any advice on dealing with this guy? I think he's treating me very unfairly. But I don't want to cause any trouble. I also heard him yelling at another student, saying things like "You're not THINKING!! I don't even know why you're in this class!!" That guy dropped the class. But I can't do that. I need this class.
What should I do?

SDRAWKCAB-SDRAWROF · Oct 24, 2007, 03:44 AM

I would go speak to somebody else within the his department, because you are right he's not treating you fairly, and he should be called up about this behaviour, good luck :)

templelane · Oct 24, 2007, 04:42 AM

Also good people to consider is your course convenor and your academic advisor. Failing that the head of disability services.

It's sad day when intelligent, educated people are the most ignorant.

Good Luck to you

frndlyghost · Oct 24, 2007, 11:11 PM

Thanks for the input. I went to the Disability Resource office today, because just the thought of going to class tonight had me on the verge of tears. I'm not a very emotional person, so for me to feel this way means it's a pretty serious situation, and anyone else would be completely devastated.

Just a few short minutes in that office got the ball rolling. Like I said, I don't want to cause trouble. But sometimes a person just has to make waves. The Titanic sank in quiet waters. There were no waves around the base of the iceberg she hit. Think about it. If something had been out there making waves, that ship would not be at the bottom of the Atlantic today.

So I made my waves. The counsellor was busy, but when I told the receptionist what the trouble was, she went in and talked to the counsellor. Then I was escorted down the hall to another office, where I spoke to someone else who got in touch with the Dean. I ended up chatting with him on the phone in a private office (because I was at the other campus).

To shorten the story, I have an appointment with the Disabled Students' counsellor, and my professor has been spoken to about his conduct. The Dean said that, unfortunately, there was no way for this to be an anonymous complaint, but if there's any sign of retaliation from the prof, I am to call the Dean's office.

As soon as I walked into the class building tonight, the woman at the front desk (who was to tell me whether the professor had been talked to, so I'd know what to expect when I got to class) said she was to see me there. I had told the Dean that I really didn't want to go to class tonight because of the way my prof. made me feel. The general consensus of the front office was that I did the right thing by deciding to go to class after all. It would have been excusable for me to skip class (the Dean even offered to leave a message saying that I wouldn't be in class), but it was really better to go. This way, the prof knows I'm serious about learning all I can.

On the way out tonight, the prof and I chatted (he never has time to really sit down and talk to me), and I casually mentioned that Monday was just a very bad day for me. He told me he was sorry. Not once did he mention that my grades were in the toilet, and there was no advice to drop the class. I went home feeling a little better about things. That was nice.

templelane · Oct 25, 2007, 12:16 AM

Yay thanks for the update. Yep sometimes you have to stand up and say something. You have not only helped yourself but future students who would have been in a simialar situation. Hope the prof keeps it up. Good Luck :)