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NORTH BRANCH SR.

Teacher: Ben Firkus

UNFAIR TREATMENT OF STUDENTS

Teacher Complaint About: North Branch Sr. - Ben Firkus

Teacher Complaint: Ben Firkus - North Branch Sr.

Ben Firkus, Band director at North Branch Area High School in North Branch, MN is the most inept teacher there is for music! This is his first year at NBAHS and he has constantly put the kids in band down all year long, treated them as though they don't know what they are doing, and decided that there is no such thing as working for 1st chair, 2nd chair, etc. He moves everyone around so "nobody feels like they don't count." So kids that have played an instrument for many years, and practice a lot and take music seriously no longer have anything to work for. Now, when he did the jury for my daughter, (a junior who has played her instrument for 10 years and is passionate about music), he gave her a 50/100 on her piece, and a 46 out of 80 on her scales! Then when she talked to him, he acted liike he was doing her a favor by raising her piece score up to 61 so she would "be in the symphonic band range." My daughter has been in the symphonic band since 10th grade! This man shouldn't be teaching msic to kids, he shouldn't even be teaching. He has no knowledge of what high school kids should sound like and no idea of how to teach them correctly! He has lost a goodly number of students in the band program for next year and keeps naging at the kids about how he can't understand why so many people are dropping band and wonders why. Kids are afraid to tell him it's because of HIM!

Other Complaints About: NORTH BRANCH SR.

8 Comments       Leave comment to complaint below

Lighten up
Teacher In Complaint
Apr 27 2010, 12:39:24 AM

moving students around gives everyone a chance at the key positions. if he gave everyone the opportunity to play only where the parents wished, they would not learn other opportunities.
Also, parents would all want first fiddle positions for son or daughter, not allowing the up and coming students and opportunity to shine.
Simply pouring a ton of money and time in lessons should not guarantee a position as top fiddle.
one must earn his or her position.

K. H.
Anonymous
May 05 2010, 03:32:42 PM

I think that teachers should have a website about parents and how they lack in teaching their kids discipline, manners, fairness and responsibility and that most parents now-a-days are leaving it up to teachers and daycare providers to teach kids those important life skills! Mr. Firkus is a wonderful teacher and I think that mom ought to do her research before posting a complaint on a public website for the world to see!

Anonymous
A Parent
May 31 2010, 01:45:35 PM

Different styles of teaching doesn't mean that that the teacher is a bad one. We all are different! Playing an instrument for long time, doesn't guarantee the best spot in a band. That has to be deserved and proved. These kids work very hard to get where they are.Mr Firkus has done an awesome job, considering he had to fill in the spot of a teacher that was well known and loved. These kids have learned that a new teacher can be just as good or better than the previous one. Mr. Firkus has exposed our children to different methods, of learning and playing and for that I'm very grateful. Variety is the spice of life! Great job Mr. Firkus and students too!

Anonymous
Teacher In Complaint
Oct 29 2010, 04:40:35 PM

As a student i think firkus is a great teacher. The only reason why student's don't like him is because no one pays attention and he gets mad.

Concerned Students
Teacher In Complaint
Nov 16 2010, 10:44:17 AM

You obviously have no idea what you are talking about. Firkus is an outstanding teacher and has improved our band program greatly in the past year. He has made such a positive impact on our music program. He stays very unbiased and puts forth his best attitude every day. I think that switching parts is very fair and gives everyone a chance to experience the different parts of music. We are a high school band, there is no need for 1st and 2nd chairs anyways.

the obliterator
A Student
Dec 17 2010, 12:55:56 PM

you're an idiot lady.

Another band teacher
Teacher In Complaint
Nov 16 2011, 04:26:32 PM

Mr. Firkus was a colleague of mine in college, and I have performed and taught with him. He is a GREAT teacher. As a band director myself who has been in his shoes, I know Ben to be fair, hardworking, and passionate about teaching music. Usually, it's the parents who need to open their eyes and see the benefit of spreading the wealth. If you want your son or daughter to have 1st chair all of the time, then send them to an arts focused school where it really counts.

AnonEmous
A Student
Jan 26 2012, 09:37:13 AM

Firkus can come across as a bit blunt. Because he is correct. A lot of our band mates _do not_ practice, which is a huge issue. He can be a bit of a prick sometimes, but he _is_ fair. If you're not doing something correctly, and he's already said something once, he expects it to be better the next time. He will not let us fail; it seems like he takes it all personally. Sometimes it just comes down to people not listening. Overall, he's doing what he needs to as a teacher. You may not like that, but he is making us better. So get your daughter to practice a bit more.

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