Hi TG-
This is a very nice letter and I always welcome letters when someone is concerned about something. Let me reply below in bold.
>>> TG 12/24/10 2:34 PM >>>
Professor,
With all do respect I very much disagree with your decision to give me a B in your class. I am not going to attempt to go into some sob story about what this semester was like for me but I would like to highlight a couple of key points.
I feel that I took the time to respond respectfully to all of your questions for every assignment submitted. I did not simply fly my way through this class, but took the time and effort to come up with what I believed were the most correct answers possible. Your decision to grade my post on the Communicating in Relationships (pertaining to culture) assignment as a 17/35 was surprising to me. Without going back on the board which is already archived, I did check my paper points and comments and you were indeed late on this paper. I always correct in one color ink and then in another for late papers of which there were three and yours was one of them. Even if you had received all the points, it would have fallen short of the points required for an "A" in the class. In addition there were a number of papers during an earlier time period that I recall in which I had to remind you of work that was late and which you acknowledged, that I did not count off for. I understand this was one of the only assignments where I made personal references to the questions asked, but I felt the examples were relevant for the task given. I don't have a problem with personal references as long as the required answers were there too. I don't know if that applies as I don't have access to your class any longer. We were actually asked to use personal references. That post was also submitted on time, so I don't see lateness as being a factor, and simply do not understand the grade.
The second was the Mid-Term exam which I explained to you was due to my financial hardship. I simply could not afford the book but I still showed up and thought thoroughly through all of the questions asked. From what I understand, I managed to at least average the class score, while others had the advantage of using the text. I am not sure why you include this point since it was a multiple choice exam and was not graded subjectively. Points cannot be given because an instructor likes a person or feels sorry for them or any reason like that. Your answers can only be right or wrong. The college makes it clear that there is a textbook for the class and they do not take into consideration whether you can afford it or not. If you are taking other classes at VVC or any college you will find that if a textbook is required- it's required. If you do not have it - they do not care, unless you qualify and have applied for - their help. It is the same in any class with a textbook and text driven questions on exams. So unfortunately- this is a moot point.
The third point was that the only assignment I did not submit was the Non-Verbal assignment. I tried to explain to you that this assignment was not solely about my own ability to complete it. It required a partner, and time taken out of business hours. First of all, I don't have friends I can call favors on. Most of them are very busy, and I myself, work full time, am a single mother of a four year old boy, and outside of campus class time, usually work on my assignments after 10pm at night. Wow- all I can say is that I have no answer for this point. If I were to give everyone points for not doing the assignment for one reason or another- I would not be much of an instructor. It is what it is. Maybe if you had approached me and explained why this seemed impossible for you to do at any time at all we could have found a substitute assignment.
While most people would have tried to bull their way through the assignment, and some told me they did, I respect my writing, assignments, and professors enough to not submit dishonest work. Had the assignment solely relied on my ability to complete it, the issue would have been different. That shows good character. Classes will always have cheaters. They lose in the long run though.
Aside from these three points, I do feel that I attended the class with an above average level of dedication. I took time to learn the material, and produce my best work possible. Aside from my son needing me or being sick, I was in class, and volunteered for almost every class related project. This was due to genuine interest in the class content, and the desire to incorporate the material into my real world experience. I appreciated your class involvement and your integrity and I am sure other instructors will also.
This is the first e-mail I have ever written in regards to my grades, and honestly feel (especially due to the level of work submitted by others in class) that this grade was unjustified. I hope that my responses clarify why you received this grade. You have a high B+ in the class in spite of not having a textbook. That helps me to know that you gained a tremendous amount of information by listening and participating. Good work!
I ask you to respectfully re-review my assignments, and your decisions toward the value they were graded upon.
Thank you for your time. You are welcome. I am sorry it was not the grade you preferred, but I do think the grade is justified.
