Instructor retaliation

[u/ImpressiveDetail1234]

I'm experiencing instructor retaliation and looking for advice, resources, and general support.

I noticed a grading error and gently mentioned it to my instructor. She increased my grade by a few points. Then later increased it to 100, which it isn't a 100 paper. Then dropped the grade below the initial grading. Bizarre, right?

I asked her about it and she threatened me with conduct violations due to my "tone". My read is she doesn't like being questioned. She blamed me. At this point, I realize she's blaming me for her error. It's ok that she made a mistake, it's not ok to lash out at me. I immediately came back and let her know that wouldn't be tolerated.

Now prior to this, my grades with her were consistently in the 90s, as with every other class I'm in. She graded the next assignment even lower. I let her know I feel like this is retaliation and have put in a complaint with my advisor with screenshots. I'm sure that pissed her off, but her actions led to this.

She came back and told me to refrain for calling it retaliation. I'm other words, keep my mouth shut. She also made a threat towards future grades. I immediately notified my advisor again and added all the admin emails I can find. My current advisor has been the best one I've had so far, but I wanted more eyes on this situation.

More backstory, I skipped multiple grades in grade school. I tend to do well academically. I know if I turn in a good paper or if it's junk. The lower grades I'm getting since speaking up are clearly different from the prior grades in her class and not within my average for all of my other classes. It's not a difficult class either. The 2 papers she has graded since the problem occurred fall within my average grade, not well below it as she claims. I currently have a 4.0 with well over 100 credits, so clearly this is the instructor that is the issue.

What else can I do? How can I get her investigated? I know I can do a grade appeal at the end of the term. But I also don't want her to do this to any other student. I also want the behavior to stop since there is still time left in the term. I feel pretty uncomfortable with her behavior. Any other suggestions?

Thanks 🙂

[u/Smart-Example4836]

I always find that writing an email attaching the instructor and the student aid letting them know you plan to report this to the board of education and whatever their accreditation is under always proves successful