DR. WALLACE: What can students do when a teacher is truly incompetent? At our school we have one particular teacher who always seems to be unprepared, disorganized and inconsistent. And the inconsistencies range from daily lesson incoherence to exams and quizzes being riddled with detailed questions about topics we didn't even cover in class or just barely scratched the surface of.

This school year has been a disaster in this classroom for me and many of my fellow students in each of the instructor's six classes.

One of the main reasons for our angst is that this instructor will be teaching one grade level higher next year, and many of us will land in the very same chaotic and subpar classrooms again.

Some of my friends want us to get our parents to petition to have this teacher removed from our school. Is this idea even possible? Is it a good idea? — We Aim To Learn, Not To Be Confused, via email

WE AIM TO LEARN, NOT TO BE CONFUSED: Instead of seeking to send a group of parents over to the school to complain, how about organizing a group of six students, one from each of the classes, to approach the school principal to set up a meeting. The six students can explain their concerns and give examples.

The onus would then be on the school's management to meet with this instructor to review the lesson plans, assignments and testing procedures. Hopefully, such a course of action could either bring about an instructor change or a needed paradigm and perspective shift on how this classroom should be run.

If school management can't or won't oversee effective changes to the curriculum that brings the educational experience of students back into balance, then it would be time for parents to become involved either directly at your school or with the local school board. I suggest the measured approach of student representatives meeting with school management is a key first step that could remedy the situation before it needs to be escalated.

MY DISCOMFORT IS HOLDING ME BACK

DR. WALLACE: I started college the fall right after my graduation from high school. Like most 18-year-olds, I thought I'd whip right through college in four short years and then enter my career field and start earning a great living.

But in my case, "life happened" and I quit college to raise my small family. I'm now in my early 40s, but would love to return to college to pursue my degree after my long gap from being a college student.

My main challenge is that I know I'd feel self-conscious at my age in a college classroom. I'm seriously thinking about restarting college this fall in pursuit of the degree I was seeking years ago. However, I fear I'll allow my concerns to keep me immobilized when the fall semester arrives. — Worried I'll Feel Out of Place, via email

WORRIED I'LL FEEL OUT OF PLACE: Instead of waiting for the fall, why don't you sign up for just one summer class? The summer sessions are decidedly more casual and would likely provide you a more comfortable reentry into your academic career.

You could make a point of speaking to a few of your fellow students to talk about your mutual educational goals. I think you'd soon find not only acceptance, but friendships based on the mutual desire to succeed in your studies to improve your respective lives. Should you make a friendship or two in the summer class, perhaps you can plan to take another class together in the fall.

And if you do attend one summer class, speak up occasionally in class with a good question, comment or point that adds to a class discussion. This will help you shake off the rust. Be bold and speak up this summer! I think that if you can, it will truly help you to settle in once the new fall semester rolls around.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Photo credit: Ivan Aleksic at Unsplash