I would not recommend him as a teacher, and I do not recommend taking his classes. He seems to care more about himself than helping students. Very disappointing class experience. A confusing, bad teacher.

Mr. Mauch did absolutely nothing to further my education. He gave incredibly vague descriptions of his expectations, and then actually gave extra credit to the tiny fraction of students getting As. Also, the textbook he chose was meant for teachers, and it's contents were completely pointless. DO NOT TAKE A COURSE WITH HIM!!!

I've been a full-time student at Normandale for nearly three years, and Matt is the worst teacher--by far--that I've ever had. Doesn't grade weekly assignments. Doesn't answer student questions. Doesn't provide guidelines or a rubric for assigned papers. Questions about plays that weren't assigned. Shockingly, miserably bad. Choose anyone else!

He currently has not responded for two months to an email that I have sent him five times concerning a grading problem. His descriptions on assignments are extremely hard to follow, leading many people to not understand them and be marked down accordingly. He is supposed to be teaching writing, yet his own writing is not up to par. Do not take him.

His class is confusing. He's the worst teacher I've ever had.

To date he is the worst professor I have ever had. His instructions are not clear. He does not respond to emails and he is an online teacher so this makes it impossible to get a hold of him. His Tech Writing class does not teach technical writing at all. He shoaldn't be teaching this class at all. Plus he listed the wrong textbook so I was stuck.

I took his Technical Writing class. Please find yourself another teacher, avoid him at all possible cost. That is all.

grades based on no rubric so all assignments are hit & miss basically. WHY assign GROUP WORK on an ONLINE class?? The point of an online class is to learn from a distance & not have to deal with the dependencies of group work projects -to have the freedom of self time management. Does not give timely feedback on grades. HORRIBLE instructions given!

I should have paid attention to the other reviews left here. I thought I'd give this guy a chance. I regret this decision more than anything in my life. Completely unhelpful, condescending, and gives the most comprehensible instructions. I beg of you: if you're reading this, do NOT take this class. Don't give him a chance. YOU WILL REGRET IT.

He is very condescending and is horrible at giving instructions. He relied heavily on our textbook for any learning and referred us to many websites to learn how to write essays instead of actually teaching us himself. I would NOT recommend any of his classes.

I took Matt Mauch for poetry writing and he was TERRIBLE! If you like rhyming poetry, don't take his class as he flat out states that rhyming poetry is obsolete. When I asked a question in class and he actually told me it was a stupid question. Finally, I went to the dean of students and even the dean told me Matt is a bad professor. DO NOT TAKE!

I was a straight A student from a prestigious high school (hard worker). I didn't know I would be teaching myself from a book with little instruction and a 577 page book on wealth in Europe throughout history, lead me to fail every quiz. I failed my first essay, after he reviewed it, not mentioning I would fail it if i kept my thesis in the intro.

Matt was a terrible teacher for freshman composition. His style of teaching is something you would expect if you were majoring in journalism. He has you read a 577 page book that doesn't not teach you a thing about writing and when I started to read it I thought I was in a economics class. We had 33 people to start and ended the class with 10.

I hate this teacher so much. He does nothing to help you with writing. You first start off with a 600 page books on economics. Its really boring amd confusing. This book does not tie into a writing class at all! He gives quizes every day and comes up with a stupid way to write called seed to flower development. None of my tutors have heard of it.

He has a very specific way that he wants your papers to be written, he just does not tell you how he wants it to be done. The instructions are unclear. He is willing to help, but his help will not help your overall grade. Overall, terrible teacher that would fail the entire class if his job did not depend on it.

Matt Mauch's class will have you reading a 600 page book on capitalism, if you decide to take comp. His grading methods are unclear. He has tough expectations on community college students, & on the first week, 15 students dropped from his class. He is intimidating to approach in his office. He will be the judgeexecutioner in your grade.

The course is very difficult the way he approaches it. You will be reading 50 pages each night in the first week about capitalism. His teaching is very dry, and he is scary to look at. He is a bit of a creeper among the female students, & expects everyone to be a journalist major. He also gets frustrated when u cant see his point of view. bad.

He seems like an interesting person but not the best teacher. Makes you read a 600 page book about capitalism and economics that seems to have no relation to the class. Expects a specific way of writing that doesn't seem to be taught in any other fresh. comp. classes. I went to his office to get help but it still didn't help improve my grade.

Matt is the worst professor I've ever had. He expects so much out of students, making due dates different every week, and he grades the three essays so tough. I do like that this class is pass/fail. He seems like a cool person outside of class, but he is not a good prof. His 'seed to flower' essays are pointless and you can't do differently.

Very unclear and closed-minded. I actively participated in discussions almost daily and contributed a lot to the class, but when I fell ill, he had very little compassion and his attendance policy screwed me over (along with many other students, many of which dropped the class). His opinion towered over everyone.. just steer clear of him.

Not very understanding or flexible if your in the Military and have obligations. I noticed he had a different textbook edition listed than what the bookstore had so I had to order two books out of pocket which was very expensive for me. If you can avoid this class or take it with another professor I would recommend it.

I took his English comp class online and absolutely hated it. The assignments all have different due dates and at times he'll have things due every day or on Saturdays. As someone who works 40hrs per week with no home internet, and relies on the public library, I didn't always have the time to dedicate to his scattered assignment schedule.

Worst professor I have ever had. I took his Intro to Lit class and dropped it after the Mid-term. At the start of every class he has a small quiz on the homework which are very bizarre questions MEANT to trip you up. The readings can be anywhere from 10-30 pages. DON'T TAKE THIS CLASS!

The toughest grader I've ever had. After having someone with a masters in English, my high school English teacher, and multiple classmates peer edit my final paper, I received a C on the paper. He told me I was one of the most descriptive writers he's had in class. I strongly advise against taking this class.

If you like to use any kind of electronics to aid you in class, you're going to have a bad time here. He prohibits the use of ANY electronic devices, even for productive use. Additionally, all due-dates for assignments are set the minute class starts. Don't expect to get a word in during lectures, as he will drone on and on and on and on and on.

For my first essay I went in to his office to have him check my work. He told me everything looked great but when he graded it I got an F. He said my subject was too broad on the final grade but it was the same subject that I brought in for him to look at. I also failed a paper for not having numbered the pages. He is way too harsh.

He was very vague when he gave feedback on my writing. Most of the time, I didn't understand what he wanted/expected out of my writing. I don't think he gives out any A's on writing assignments if so it has to be his "perfect". He's very full of himself and his style of writing.

He wont help you learn. No clear instructions, he can take you off of the list of people for an assignment and then fail you on that assignment because you didn't deliver it. He says he can admin remove you from his class if you fail 2 asgnmts in a row yet he doesn't give you clear feedback, grades were never on time. Avoid this professor.

I get wanting your students to learn, but posting announcements everyday with pages or paragraphs to read hardly helps me write on of the many papers or assignments that he posts. The due dates are any day he decides. Sometimes we have two assignments due on one weekend. He doesn't care. He also gave me zeros on assignments that I turned in on time

Should net be teaching.

This teacher is awful, worst teacher I've ever had. I went in multiple times to ask for help, and he said my paper was great then gave me an F and said I had too broad of a subject. He doesn't grade throughout the semester at all and does not respond to any emails. Hard teacher to communicate with especially because it's his way or you will fail.

Starts off the quarter saying his class average grade is around a C. Gives very vague feedback and has impossible standards he expects you to be able to have.

Doesn't reply to email on time. Can not explain anything in depth tells you, "look at the syllabus" for any question you may have even if it is homework related. I would never take him again and if you have to good luck. I feel like he does not care for students success.

He is not an effective teacher. He is vague on feedback on assignments. Don't take an online course with him. The textbook didn't help me in anyway. If you aren't perfect and don't think or write like him, good luck! Doesn't seem like he really wants people to be successful. His writing has a negative, judgmental tone when responding to you. Aviod

A very strict teacher, it's his way of the highway. Having only A's in all other English classes, then getting straight D's on every assignment back from him, with E-mails of "If you received a D that means you can improve, almost everyone got D's", was a terrible experience. Passed the class, but would not recommend to anyone else.

Where to begin. Feedback on assignments is TERRIBLE. Very vague, they don't help you in 'visualizing' your goal or whatever he's trying to say. He more often times than not gives you a D on EVERY other assignment you turn in. I haven't even seen my final grade yet and I'm sure he gave me a D too. STAY. AWAY. This professor is clueless and useless.

Took an online course with him without realizing what I was getting into. Gives vague directions scattered across multiple documents and expects you to find them all perfectly. He does give feedback, however it isn't supportive as you would hope from a professor, but is rather negative and berates your work. Would not recommend.

Only class Ive ever had an issue in, hard to understand what he wants.

Very vague grader. Does not have clear criteria for essays and givers very general comments. It's hard to understand what he wants out of essays and how he wants it. His lectures are sort of irrelevant and don't match to your actual essay writing. You have to do a LOT of reading on your own as well as a lot of tedious work.

Worst professor I have ever had. I had him for online freshman comp. His instructions are vague and spread out on multiple documents. He treats freshman comp like a graduate level writing course. If you don't know how to write a perfect essay already stay away because you could follow the instructions word for word and still get a C on every essay.

He is not very accommodating towards PSEO students trying to get help. Grades very harshly as well.

This weirdo removed me from the class before the class even got the chance to start. He dont care about your grades and he gives off the vibe that he dont like people.

the worst professor I have had at this school. Right next to the female fiction writing teacher. Unfair in every way. Does not teach the class, and if he does, it's from a very old-school style that does not work. Take this class only if you need to. Don't expect to enjoy this class I would not call him a teacher, considering he hardly "Teaches"

The feedback this professor gives are so of the most vague stuff I've ever heard. Half the time I can't time what he wants from any given assignment and doesn't often give example so it can be complete guess work if you're doing the assignment right at all.

Has an outdated teaching style. Would avoid.

His criticism often felt personal in how he wrote it, and his feedback was loose. When I followed his feedback and did what he asked, I got a worse score than before. While I did learn more about writing, this class caused me a lot of trouble. He gave us a ton of homework. For all my hard work, I felt it equated to nothing.

DO NOT TAKE THIS PROFESSOR. He is the worst professor I have ever had. His instructions are extremely long and do not make sense. He is very vague in explaining his assignments. Worst grader ever!!! He does not care if you pass his class and at times feels like he is actively trying to fail his students no matter how hard they try.

This class was extremely difficult to get through. Feedback was vague and unhelpful. Your grades are based on how well you follow his specific instructions -- which were explained in nonsensical jargon instead of layman's terms that would have been appropriate for this "check the box course." Disorganized assignments/due dates. Set up to fail.

Last feedback was deleted by moderators. Long story short - avoid at all cost. Vague feedback, tons of useless homework, do not care about his students, grade papers with both eyes closed.

This professor is awful. Even if you are a good writer, do not expect to get a good grade in his class. He will write comments for you that make no sense, then ask you to contact him. He asks you to contact through text, not professional. If you do not have the means to meet with him in person, he does not care to help.

By far the worst teacher I have ever had and I warn everyone to not sign up for any of his classes. Matt Mauch should be fired immediately! His grading standard are unrealistic and impossible, you will fail the class.

Do not take him as a peso student DOES NOT CARE ABOUT YOU OR YOUR GRADE. would avoid at all costs

Unbelievable I took this teacher seeing how it would go the first week. I had trouble with getting everything ready for the first semester because our school year started early. then next week I asked him if I could more time on the homework, mind you I had like most of the homework done and he still dropped me from active participation STAY AWAY

Take a different class.

This was my first time taking a PSEO class and needless to say, he was the reason I didn't want to go back to Normandale. I would spend hours writing multiple page essays and he almost always gave me a zero with little to no explanation. DO NOT TAKE ONLINE!!!

This was my first time taking a PSEO class and needless to say, he was the reason I didn't want to return to Normandale. I would spend days writing multiple page essays and never received any credit for them with little to no reason given. Not to mention, I'd reach out via email and would never receive a response. DO NOT TAKE ONLINE!!!

Where do I even begin. This has to be the worst professor I have ever had. I wish he would be fired; his grading and expectations are a joke. The way he teaches is straight unorganized. Please Normandale replace this English teacher because he shouldn't be teaching at all.

Had him last fall for my first ever PSEO class. This guy had us writing so much and no matter how hard I worked on my writings, he graded them so harshly. He does not care whether you are a PSEO student or not. Do not take him even if he is your last choice. You are destined to earn a low grade in this class.

I am disgusted with how absolutely pompous and arrogant Matt comes off. If you are doing an online class, drop it if you can. His layout on DSL is erratic and unorganized making it difficult to know if the assignment is completed to his liking; which it often never is. Nothing is good enough for him and he grades on his own personal prerogative.

Where do I even start...this professor is the WORST professor I have ever taken. DO NOT BY ANY MEANS TAKE THIS PROFESSOR PLEASE FOR YOUR SAKE AND YOUR GRADE. The structure of his class is so unorganized and instructions are all over the place. Even if you follow the instructions he will try his best to find a thing to pick at and fail you.

Don't take this teacher even if its your last option even if you enroll last second , really picky, doesnt make sense, long lectures every class, and the way he assigns work and the lectures are so sloppy, the online content has words spelt wrong and horrible grammar all the time which is crazy considering hes a ENGLISH PROFESSOR, AVOID, if not GL

I would highly reccomened to never take this guy even if you have to, he is the worst teacher ive ever had. He grades like a rock, meaning he doesnt care about how you write he just grades based on the smallest things possible. Even if you are an amazing writer you are bound to get less than a C.

Even if this is the last choice you have don't take it save your mental health. The teaching style is horrible and his expectations are unrealistic you will fail his class slowly as the school semester went on i saw students drop his class fast lectures just as bad you will question your life choices moral of the story DONT DO IT YOU WILL NOT PASS

The other reviews are all extremely accurate, but might I add that the best writers and most hardworking and responsible students are bound to fail his class. This class is nearly impossible to pass even in person. I had to perfect my work to HIS liking to pass his class.

So difficult. Over critical. Followed his advice word for word and still got bad results. Put in hours and hours of work and got nothing from it

He is the worst professor i have ever seen in my life. His instruction are so unclear and complicated he is really tough grader please don't take his class

This was the toughest and hardest class ai have ever taken. His directions are unclear and he grades very harsh and gives feedback that doesn't make sense.

The ratings are bad for a reason.

wlhi this guy is the most difficult professor you will come across with. he doesn't care about you as a student nor does he want to help you. don't and I mean don't take any of his class. did I forget to mention that his way of teaching is beyond confusing and when you email him to ask a question he just says "re read the syllabus".

This teacher is mean. Not sure how he is able to talk to his students the way that he does but someone should report him. Lacks compassion. He is almost like a drill sergeant. Emails come across like you are being told what to do like you're going to be punished. I hope someone looks into this professor

His tone of voice is belittling & makes you want to cry. He is an English professor, so I find it hard to believe that he does not know the tone of his writing is disrespectful when emailing. I also find that he doesn't hold himself to the same standards because he makes quite a few grammar errors when emailing. His class is not worth your sanity.

I was writing a paper about my experience with vaccines and why I believe they should not be mandatory. He cornered me in front of my class and berated me. He made it personal and brought politics into it. He even went as far as to tell me that if I wrote my paper the way I planned he'd give me a zero.

on my soul this is the worst professor at Normandale, please do NOT take any of his classes as he does not care to see you succeed. FYI if your grammar isn't good in a literal email you may send to him, he wil make you re-write the email to get a response to your question or concern. Egotistical self centered person.

Worst prof ever. Save yourself

While this professor is nice, gives good feedback, and available during office hours, he's a terrible, harsh grader who gives D+'s on almost every assignment (there's 1–3 a week). It's nearly impossible to get an A no matter how much work you put in, based on his liking. His directions are so unclear and super confusing, making it more difficult.

I have yet to have a professor at Normandale who was as abominable as Matt Mauch. I'm serious, do NOT take his class unless you want to be treated like an inconvenience. He is insanely pretentious, and all the work he assigns is not worth an entry level class. I had so many bad experiences with him. Please. Save yourself. I am BEGGING YOU.

prefer not to say

The ratings are bad for a reason - save yourself

Too much busywork, constant video recordings and endless paper revisions made the course feel overwhelming.

Professor Matt is a terrible online teacher who barely teaches. He only uploads PDFs, gives no guidance on how he would like the assignments to be, never responds to emails, grades extremely harshly, and his expectations are totally unclear. Taking his class is frustrating, stressful, and I would not recommend him to anyone.

- A very passionate professor in English Literature. - Not someone who works effectively with online academics. - Incredibly harsh grading system for an entry level course with lack of communication being present.

He relies on a pass/no-pass system that discourages effort: many submissions earn D+ “passes,” while F's appear easily. Grading feels rigid and inconsistent, feedback is vague, and expectations are unclear. He treats a C as the baseline ceiling. Revisions exist, but guidance is minimal, making real improvement difficult. FOR YOUR SAKE AVOID!!!

the ratings are bad for a reason. I lost sleep, saniti, faith in humaniti. Ignore the ryhme but just PLEASE DROP THIS CLASS NOT JUST FOR YOU BUT FOR ME AND ALL OTHER STUDENTS LIKE ME TRYING TO SAVE YOU!!