How to tame a trouble teacher: teach getting you down? Figure out what to do before she squashes your slammin' back-to-school vibe

Girls' Life, Oct-Nov, 2005 by Margaret Gelbwasser

Your crush is in four of your classes, and your BFF's locker is right next to yours. Even cafeteria lunches are a tad tastier. So far, this year is right-on ... except for one thing--that teacher who makes you nutso.

The two of you just don't click at all, and you feel she's putting major red-hot heat on your academic life. No need to worry. Break out your No. 2 and take notes because we've identified the five worst teacher-types and are teaching you how to deal with them....

the, "A" hoarder

WHO HE IS He starts the year off by announcing that he rarely gives out any A's, and grins when you and your class mates squirm. One of his famous quotes might be, "I don't give you a grade--you give yourself the grade." Hard work is important to this slave driver, but no matter how much extra time you clock in, he's still not giving you that A.

WHAT TO DO This teacher wants to see the effort you're willing to put out. So, you have to spend some quality time with him. Start tackling the next class project as soon as he assigns it. Then, ask him when you can come in to show him your progress. This way, he'll see that you're not messing around. Bonus: You'll get the assignment done exactly as he wants and should definitely earn that well-deserved A!

the jail warden

WHO SHE IS Her eyes sweep the room every 30 seconds or so, looking for any sign of slackers. She's always on the edge of her chair, ready to pounce at the slightest suggestion of a whisper. She wants total order, and you feel you're constantly being monitored. And she has a pretty impressive supernatural power: note-passing sonar. Once, she busted your BFF Jen for passing you a note and read aloud to the class what she wrote to you about her crush.

WHAT TO DO can you say "freak-out"? This teacher is brutal, but chances are she's acting like this because she's nervous about losing control of the class to you and your pals. The Jail Warden will be more likely to throw away her key and let you relax a little if you demonstrate some interest in her class. Best bet? Get into the lesson. If she asks for your opinion about the day's book discussion, raise your hand and speak up. You could say, "I like this book because the fictional characters remind me a lot of me and my friend Jenny." This will show Teach you're paying attention and let you gab about your life at the same time.

the enemy

WHO HE IS It seems this teacher has taken a liking to just about everyone but you. When your lab partner starts a chatfest in the back of the room, Mr. Krab laughingly tells her to save the juicy gossip for lunch. You whisper to the girl in front of you that you can't see Mr. Krab's litmus paper experiment? Two days of detention! You come to class 10 seconds after the bell and get a lengthy lecture. The guy who sits next to you shows up late, and he doesn't even get a verbal warning. What gives?

WHAT TO DO This situation is tough, and you have to ask yourself a few questions, and answer honestly: Have you gotten sassy with Mr. Krab in the past? Is showing up to class fashionably late a trend for you? Do you make faces at him when you think he's not looking or mumble about him under your breath? If the answers to the questions are a firm "no, no, no and no" you need to enlist the help of a third-party mediator, like your guidance counselor, to sort things out. More than likely, Mr. Krab isn't even aware that he has singled you out.

What if you realize you have been giving Mr. K a tough way to go? Cut him a break (this means for at least a week or two, not one day), and chances are he'll cut you some slack too. If this doesn't work, talk to a school administrator or counselor about how you can resolve the matter once and for all.

the easy one,

WHO SHE IS Her tests are taken word-for-word from the last class review. She gives you homework but doesn't check it. Your class can easily distract her by asking her about her dog Muffles or her bridge club. You're just not being challenged, and it's a huge snore.

WHAT TO DO The good news? Her class is a breeze. The bad news? You're drop-dead bored. For the first few weeks, you passed the time by texting your BFF and counting the tiles on the classroom floor, but that's gotten old.

If her class is an elective, ask Ms. Breezy if she'll let you do a special project for extra credit or talk to a counselor about switching to a different elective. If her class is a core requirement and you feel she'll seriously affect your ability to do well on standardized tests, like the SAT, ask your parents to talk to the guidance counselor about switching you to a more advanced class. Then, you can stop focusing on those floor patterns and concentrate on expanding your brain.

the best bud

WHO SHE IS You can count on her to sport all the latest trends, right down to the same identical black-pleated mini and studded purple belt you have hanging in your closet. She winks at you when she sees you talking to a guy and later asks if he's your crush. And, when you complain to your BFF about a battle you had with the 'rents last night, Miss Buddy-Buddy is quick to chime in with her advice since she's "been there." It's like she's all up in your business, and you're not OK with it.