When I was in high school, no one liked Mrs. Tonkin. She was thecalculus teacher and man, was she tough. She assigned homeworkevery night, gave pop quizzes and chose students at random toanswer questions during class. We actually had to work!

Looking back, of course, I can see that she was a great teacherwho expected a lot from her students and thus, we gave a lot. Now,as I’m rounding the home stretch of my undergraduate years ofcollege, I can clearly see which professors I’ve had here whoactually exceed mediocre. And though they’re few and farbetween, they can be found if one looks in the right places.

After hearing rants and raves about professors all over campusfrom all different departments, I have determined that it’sdifficult to judge a professor without actually taking his or herclass. But even though judging a professor’s ability isentirely subjective, the way I hear people talk about professors isvery disturbing. Often, students will dislike a professor becausehe or she assigns too many readings or does not offer study guides.What do they think this is? Junior high?

Others enjoy professors who coddle students by giving simplelecture notes as handouts or making exams ridiculously easy.Professors like that are selling their students short; I preferthem to be more concerned about students learning material thanbeing liked.

I also had the displeasure of experiencing someunderclassmen’s ignorance in a class I’m currentlytaking. Arriving early, I’m able to hear their conversationsabout the professors they have heard horror stories about, storieswhich clearly are from lazy people who refuse to exert themselves.What are these people doing in college? They complain aboutteachers who are well-read and expect their students to put forthan effort to learn the material on their own. I see the same thingon the message board sacrate.com, where people tend to rateSacramento State professors with a vengeance.

Some of the nicest people I’ve had as professors madeterrible teachers. The best professors I’ve ever had reallymade me work hard. But the best professor I had in the last fouryears is a combination of both; personable as well as tough, andone of the most intriguing people I have ever met. It’sprofessors like these who make it worthwhile to come to class andwho make me want to work that much harder.

On top of these qualities, a professor should spark inspirationin his or her students. Even if the class is Biology 5 and only twoof the 50 students are biology majors, it’s the professor whohas the power to rouse interest in the subject. Even Mrs Tonkin,a.k.a. the Tonkinator, was able to turn calculus from a boring,difficult endeavor into a bearable and worthwhile class.

In hindsight, although having used very little of the actualmaterial I learned, I realize how important it is to appreciate andmake full use of these teachers. Take advantage of the wonderfulmen and women at Sac State who are full of knowledge and are eagerto share it with any willing individual. Seek out professors whowill challenge and inspire you, and who won’t let you slackoff. Make the most of your college education &- that’swhat you’re here for.