DEAR ABBY: I've been a loyal reader for years, but I have never written to you before. Your response to the high school student who signed himself "Crazy for a Freshman" infuriated me. You said that the girl's father, who was the young man's chemistry teacher, might not be so "friendly" when it came to giving him a passing grade. Abby, as a teacher, I found that statement offensive.
We don't "give" grades -- our students earn them. To suggest that this father might alter a student's grade because of a romance with his daughter is insulting to teachers. Abby, you owe teachers everywhere an apology. -- TEACHER IN DUNKIRK, MD.
DEAR TEACHER: No offense was intended. Human nature being what it is, I wanted to warn the student not to sneak around with the girl because her father, his teacher, might not be able to separate his anger from grading for achievement. I know teachers are expected to be above that, but they are as susceptible to human frailties as everyone else.