This is a very nice teacher. I can see why some people would not like her, she can be quite blunt at times. However, she is a good teacher and a nice person. She does take her job quite seriously, but I would take a class from her again.

I was sorry, as well as shocked, to see how poorly Prof. Gessner was rated. I took 1B and 1C prior to taking her 1A class and I learned more in her 1A class then both 1B and 1C combined. She is a great teacher and a wonderful person. If you consider taking her for a class, I highly recommend it!

gessner is one of the harder teachers I'v had, she will make you a better writer or you will fail the class. simple and plain and she doesn't tolerate bad behavior in class period.

Really nice lady and a fun class, I learned a lot. I did have to work hard, but not too hard and it was worth it anyway.

The last english class before I trans to 4yr. If you don't do well in her class, you won't do well when you move on. Her standards are nothing compared to University. I liked her class and liked some of the things we read. She is better than some of the other English teachers I had at Shasta.

She is a great professor who is very animated and has an explosive laugh. She really went out of her way to teach basic things we should have already known. She prepares you for weeks and provides enough brainstorming and resources to find a solid topic to write about. To do well, be there everyday, stay on topic, and have your papers edited.

I loved her! she is hilarious and laughs continuously. she is very understanding and her assignments aren't hard to do. If you pay attention to due dates and try to stay on track you will get an A without question. You don't need to be an english major to do well. I'd recommend her to absolutely any student!

People on this site that have rated Kathryn bad are obviously not compatable with this unique, quirky professor. Although her class schedules are not chisled in stone, they are more fluid, she is happy to help any student that asks. I thoroughly enjoyed this Professor & have taken her Creative Writing class & am enrolled in her English 1C class.

Nice Funny and willing to help out! I liked her! No nonsence teacher I liked that too!

Ms. Gessner was a great teacher, I read all thease comments and was a little freaked out, on the contrary I belive the people who wrote them missed class alot, if you attend and do the work she makes it fun If you flake out you will have a crappy time but it really is your oun fault.

For those that enjoy writing : 1A was a breeze and 1C was more of a challenge. Assignments are not listed in detail on the syllabus.Show up everyday for assignments. If you are not socially acceptable (being polite and respectful) you will be encouraged to behave or leave the class. Excuses are unacceptable...your homework your responsibility. :)

Really clear on assignments. Really helpful with homework and a lot of help on essays. Firm, but fair. Very enjoyable class, want to take other class with this instructor.

Ms Gessner is a very quirky, friendly teacher. Just turn your work in on time & you'll get a good grade. The work load is not consistant. Lots of work at the front & end of semester, not much in the middle. She will assign work & not collect it or assign 6 journals due on Mon & then on Wed ask for 2 of the journals on Thursday.

Teacher is extremely clear on instructions stories relate to instruction just follow closely. Intelligent woman. My recommendations would be to follow her advice to get a good grade in class.

Gessner is a very smart lady who's fair with grading. I'm confused by all the negative comments she has. Her jokes were hilarious. Gessner was a great English teacher for my first semester of college.

Mrs. Gessner was hard but fair. I learned quite a bit from this class. If you attend class and do not miss more than 4 class periods, then you will get a good grade. If you do the work. For the people who slacked off, she was very hard to get along with. She is a logical thinker and will not put up with not being responsible.

I wasn't a fan of Gessner at the beginning of the semester, but i ended up loving her. Whenever we had big assingments due she would meet with us individually and proof read your writing. She also used this time for you to ask questions if you were confused with anything. English is not my subject, but i got an A. If you try, she will notice.

I would recommend Professor Gessner to anyone who wants to learn, and grow as a student. She was always willing to help, she was passionate about the material, and she encouraged participation. We had discussions, not boring lectures. She actually takes the time to read your work, and offered great feedback. Just show up and do the work!

If you come to class and turn in your work, you will get a good grade. Professor Gessner is very fair with grading, and she gives lots of opportunities to do extra credit. She gave me good feedback and I feel like I'm prepared for university level classes since I took her class.

Gessner is a very good professor. She has a lot of experience in her field and is incredibly helpful with all she has to teach. She gives a ton of feedback on work and definitely understands that students are all at different levels of skill. Would recommend.

Honestly I've read the other comments on here and yes it's true that this teacher is closed minded (sorta) and will not admit she is wrong (most of the times). For class, it was 2 hours and pretty much all I remember is her talking about how she made it, and proud she got her degree. She also likes to make her opinions sound like facts.

Kathryn Gessner is a very caring teacher, who seeks to motivate students to reach for a higher level in various aspects of life and education. She is funny, and delightfully awkward. She can come across a little tough but she always means well.

Took this online and man was it a good but tough class! Lot's of reading for sure but the books chosen were excellent! She has you write a paper each week so be prepared to write a lot but they get easier to do once you get the hang of it. As long as you include every answer to each question she asks you in your paper you'll do fine:)

I have taken many classes during my two years in college, but none compare to the way professor Calkins communicated and gave such details to help me become a better writer. I felt I gained a lot of knowledge in her class. I will definitely be recommending her as a great professor to take a class with. She is very knowledgable.

Professor Kathryn Calkins is a published poet who is also active as both participant and teacher within the larger poetry community; thus she knows her subject matter here. Class was a delight to take with an excellent textbook, interesting assignments, helpful comments from both the teacher and the other students, and plenty of extra-credit.

This teacher will assign a lot and hate all of it. The first half of the semester was reading a boring book and having to write basically a paper every week saying why it was an amazing book and if you dont think it was, she will fail you. The second half she doesnt explain and she will fail you for that too. Doesnt explain and grades hard.

This course has been really enjoyable, Professor Calkins is so easy to work with and she gives so much good feedback, writes out very clear prompts for essays with multiple options on how to write them, along with her side track stories and really great books to read. Even if you dont like reading the books arent super confusing.

Do the work and youll pass easily, show up to class and pass easily, pay attention and pass easily

Awesome professor!

I have enjoyed Kathryn Calkins teaching and her class so much I decided to take her again in 1A. In every assignment there are opportunities for extra credit and she clearly states what she wants done. All you have to do is follow her directions, her book choices are fantastic. If i could take this class again next semester I would. Therapeutic!!!

Professor Calkins is one of the better teachers within the English Department. I found that Calkins mythology class was an eye-opening experience for me as I gained exposure to the myths underlying Sci-Fi literature, myths related to the Quest and Hero's Journey, and Jungian Analysis. If you intend to study lit, then take this class first.

Professor Calkins is no doubt unconventional in her teaching style, but its not at all a bad thing. She has a very open class environment, lots of talking around the room, lectures are very loosely structured, which can be hard to follow at times. But she has great energy, is very caring, grades very forgivingly, and makes class quite fun!

Very enjoyable and the prof was so helpful. I took this class and would take it again because she really shows you how to use your writing skills to the next level! Participation matters!! every weekly assignment, reply, and essay matters.

Prof. Calkins' recent reviews have all been high. She teaches you as a Professor but also cares for you as a friend. My first college semester I was very lucky to have Calkins. She can guide you to become a professional famous writer. She encourages everyone and allows you to grow as a writer. I'm already signed on for another course from her Fall.

Ms. Kathryn is kind, fun, and intelligent. I did have to ask a lot of questions as sometimes assignments were confusing. Do a little more than the absolute minimum if you want an A, but generally, you can do well just by showing up and getting something in. No quizzes, free book. Just communicate with her if you need anything. Overall I had fun!

She is an awesome professor. As long as you show up to her class and engage, she's great. Show her you're trying hard and she grades great.

Good for a creative writing class, could be difficult for others. Calkins is a professor that leaves the student to themselves, so students that have difficulty with loose guidelines may struggle. I found her teaching style a perfect match for my own, she simply "let me cook."

Loved Professor Calkins, she was my first professor ever in college and she really made my first time less stressful. She was also very caring and gave me a lot of tips to be successful in college