Doorstop Education

Grades & teachers

Does your teacher actually care?

That teacher you think hates you probably doesn’t. They’re trying to convince 30 kids that chemistry matters, which is hard. Here’s a quick way to check.

Short answer

Hold up five fingers. Answer the questions below, putting fingers down (or up) as you go. Five or more and your teacher really cares. Zero, and it’s time to tell another adult you trust.

The five-finger test

Start with five fingers up. Be honest: you’re the only one who sees your answers.

5fingers up0/13 answered
The basicsPut a finger down for every no.
Do they know your name?
Do they get to class on time, with a planned-out lesson?
Do they stay late after school, or talk to students after class?
Do they show emotion? Do they ever smile?
Red flagsPut a finger down for every yes.
They have CLEAR favorites, or only talk to the popular kids.
They never make eye contact with you.
They’ve never tried to talk to you or ask how you’re doing.
They’re strict for no reason, or just plain mean.
Green flagsPut a finger up for every yes.
They’re honest. They’ll tell you when the district is making them do something pointless.
They show up with energy almost every day and never drag through class.
They put teaching first. Phone on silent, no getting sidetracked.
They handle tough moments without flinching, like quieting a disruptive kid without embarrassing them.
They make an effort: they ask about the game or the musical, or run a Kahoot once in a while.

Answer all 13 to see what your count means. (13 to go)

What your count means

  • 5 or more: your teacher really cares.
  • 3 to 4: they’re doing a solid job, but there are things they could improve.
  • 1 to 2: this is a teacher who could be doing more. Try a calm conversation about what would help.
  • 0: flag what’s happening to another staff member you trust, like a counselor. This is really concerning, and you shouldn’t have to handle it alone.

Next steps

Talk to your teacher

How to bring up a problem without it blowing up.

Read the guide →

Fix your least favorite class

See how your teacher sees you, then change it.

Read the guide →

When a teacher bullies you

What to do when it’s more than a bad vibe.

Read the guide →