What's the worst teacher you've ever had attitude wise? [View all]

[Locut0s]

I've had lots of teachers over the years (I'm 30 and have been in and out of university more times than I should have). Currently I'm taking computing science and doing well. Getting a new batch of teachers this semester (some a little rough around the edges) got me thinking about something I've been meaning to ask for a while. What's the worst teacher you've ever had in terms of attitude and what stories can you tell?

IMHO a teacher has to be able to effectively convey the material AND also be inspirational, helpful and willing to answer questions no matter how mundane (as long as they are on topic). Teachers fail on both accounts but it's the second criterion that really bothers me. Your ability to convey material clearly is something you either have or don't have, it's somewhat of a learned skill but much of it is innate IMHO. Attitude on the other hand is definitely something you consciously bring to the table and I just don't get it when I meet and asshole of a teacher. What are they thinking!? WHY are they teaching in the first place?

I've had a few in University, but most of the worst teachers I had were in High school. Later in life assholes don't have as much of an effect on you anyway, but earlier on it can be scaring. Looking back on it I have to cut them some slack as they themselves had to deal with some of the worst behaved people you can imagine (I would not want to be a HS teacher!!). However to this day I can still remember my English teacher back in grade 10 who would make a habit of belittling and insulting the children she deemed stupid or socially inept. I remember asking her some rather mundane question and having her say "that's why I like grade 10 students, they say the stupidest things on earth" out loud in front of the class. There were plenty of other examples but that's the one that comes to mind.

Not much of a story, I hope others have better.

What are your horror stories of bad teachers?