How to respond to an annoying student

[judy]

This made me laugh!

I teach Sat. mornings at a community college, as most of you know. It's the last required English course, so you'd think they would know what you need to do to pass a class.

Helmsley is a very nice, quiet, handsome young man who shows up periodically or late. His assignments are generally late and I think he's missing some.

They were taking the final exam last Sat. when his cell phone rings and he must leave to deal with an emergency! Can I give him info about a make-up exam? I wrote him a note requesting that he be allowed to .... I really think he didn't study, texted someone to call him, and left so that he could study and take the test at a later date. I doubt if he'll do the readings, so he probably won't pass anyway.

These are the emails since then:

Prof. Judy bloom,

Good afternoon this is Hemsley Joseph from your Saturday class held between 9am to 12:30pm. I would like to first apologize for the disruption in class on the day of the final and thank you for allowing me a pardon to take it at a later that, furthermore i emailed you this revision of my final essay since Tuesday December 11, 2007 through my office work station but was unaware you never received it until i spoke with my History professor, on Friday who stated that he never received my email as well. I can only assume that the failed attempt to email this to you was due to the current Construction being done at my company where the network is frequently interrupted. I ask that you please accept my final revised paper as well as my apology for not confirming that you received my paper. thank you again in advance and i wish the best holiday to you and your family.

Dear Hemsley,

I'm sorry, but I have already submitted my grades. You got an INC because of the final exam and a D on the research paper.


Judy Bloom

Prof Bloom,

Based on the fact that i have to take the finals at a later date which will require a grade change can you accept and evaluate my revised final essay and put it towards my final grade with the submission of my final exam?

I'll see.
Judy Bloom


For those of you who are parents or teachers, we all know what "I'll see" means!

[Mandy]

This reminded me of someone else i know LOL
Judy, i am sure they just love you, and the thing is, kids remember teachers like you! I remember 2 very nice teachers from my days, the rest ive sort of "forgot"

For sure i know what "i'll see" means

[AngieDoogles]

How funny. I love how he tried both flattery and a excessively formal writing style. Gotta give him credit for trying. lol

I think you handled the situation very well. I get frustrated in some of my classes when I work very hard to meet deadlines and make sure everything is done properly and then the "slacker" student makes up some excuse and gets an extension.

Anyway, I agree with Mandy. I think you would be one of those "unforgettable" teachers!

[Janet]

Why aren't there more teachers like you Judy? This world could sure benefit from having you cloned my friend.

[Marilyn]

He sounds like a momma's boy who is trying to manipulate his way through life. "I'll see" is a good approach!!!! Way to go, Judy!!

[DianaB]

He did try everything in his first e-mail. Flattery and a nice writing style. He just forgot to add "Since your my favorite teacher........."!!!!!!! You handled it very well, in my opinion!!!! "I'll see"!!!!!!!!

[AngieDoogles]

Good afternoon Prof. Bloom, my absolute favorite and most wonderful teacher ever. This is Hemsley Joseph from your Saturday class held between 9am to 12:30pm, the best class I have ever attended!

[judy]

Thanks for the compliments! I could fail him based in the fact that his "suck-up" letter is maybe two amazingly long, run-on sentences, he didn't proofread and needs some caps in there.

I think he has a future in writing those scam letters.

[AngieDoogles]

Originally Posted by judy

I think he has a future in writing those scam letters.

LOLOLOL! Please don't tell him that. We don't need anymore of those scammer, that's for sure! lol

[judy]

I know you're not supposed to answer them, but reply with one of these:

Best "Out of Office" Automatic e-mail Replies:



1. I am currently out of the office at a job interview and will reply to you if I fail to get the position. Please be prepared for my mood.



2. You are receiving this automatic notification because I am out of the office. If I was in, chances are you wouldn't have received anything at all.



3. Sorry to have missed you, but I'm at the doctor's having my brain and heart removed so I can be promoted to our management team.



4. I will be unable to delete all the emails you send me until I return from vacation. Please be patient, and your mail will be deleted in the order it was received.



5. Thank you for your email. Your credit card has been charged $5.99 for the first 10 words and $1.99 for each additional word in your message.



6. The email server is unable to verify your server connection. Your message has not been delivered. Please restart your computer and try sending again. (The beauty of this is that when you return, you can see who did this over and over and over....)



7. Thank you for your message, which has been added to a queuing system. You are currently in 352nd place, and can expect to receive a reply in approximately 19 weeks.



8. Hi, I'm thinking about what you've just sent me. Please wait by your PC for my response.



9. I've run away to join a different circus.



10. I will be out of the office for the next two weeks for medical reasons. When I return, please refer to me as "Lucille" instead of Steve.

I might have posted these before, but I love them. Numbers 5, 6 and 7 are my personal favs and I send one of them to anyone who sends me a scam letter lately.

I figure if you're going to annoy me, I'm going to have fun with you!

[Janet]

Oh Judy those are hilarious!! My favs are 6, 8 and 10!!!! ROFLMBO!!! So funny!

[BabyNicole]

Originally Posted by judy

Thanks for the compliments! I could fail him based in the fact that his "suck-up" letter is maybe two amazingly long, run-on sentences, he didn't proofread and needs some caps in there.

I think he has a future in writing those scam letters.

LOL I'm a teacher also (middle school & high school). I hate excuses, and don't accept them. You are nicer than I am!

[judy]

I have a new stalker student now. She got an well deserved F and her emails and excuses are just dumber than a sidewalk! Her last e-mail was about how she can't believe I failed her! I somehow am responsible for her not knowing enough to drop the course.

If she emails me again, I think I'll say "I don't know," no matter what her e-mail is about. I find that to be one of the all time best answers in the world.

[Janet]

Some of these students just don't get it do they? You didn't fail her....she did...duh!!! Maybe you should send her #4, #5, #6 or #8. Sounds like she would fall for #6 for sure....LOL

[judy]

You're right! I think #6. If she does go to thr English Dept., I can claim my computer sent that.

The email server is unable to verify your server connection. Your message has not been delivered. Please restart your computer and try sending again.

(The beauty of this is that when you return, you can see who did this over and over and over....)