3.1
Quality4.1
Difficulty50%
Would Retake211
Reviews50%
Would Retake
211
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
87
4
17
3
11
2
17
1
79
What Students Say
“Granted, I have learned so much from her class and she is a great teacher”
GEO101 - 2.0 rating“horrible communication skills and will take you down”
GEOL101 - 1.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
84%
Textbook Required
20%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.33 avg changeRatings by Course
ENV220
5.0
(3)GEO150
5.0
(1)ENVS220
4.8
(19)EVNS220
4.0
(2)ENVS101
3.9
(45)Difficulty by Course
COS126
5.0
GEOL101
4.4
GEO101
4.3
ENVS101
4.1
ENV120
4.1
Reviews (211)
This was the second class I took with Midori. She is a very fun teacher, and loves what she does. Her tests are never multiple choice but are not that difficult if you make sure to study lecture notes. I never read any of the 3 books she required for class, so you might be able to get away without them. Great Prof!
I did not find her to be a helpful instructor at all. She is very hard to follow and grades harshly.
Midori is amazing! She is easy to understand, funny, and super nice. She is willing to give up her free time to help you, just ask. There are no make-up labs, so attendance is mandatory. Labs are outside. Tests and labs for submittal are VERY challenging. The class average for the first exam was around 64%. If you can work hard then do
midori is unclear but also specific...its impossible to know what she wants. she is a fun person but not a good teacher. i took a hybrid class with her and she posts nothing online, doesn't use the calender, posts, or grading. this class was hard and she told us not to ask questions during class...she also assigns group work.
Awesome teacher! Very passionate about her topic! Very helpful and approachable. If you pay attention in class and put in the work required you will do well. Grading is a little bit unclear at times but there was always an explanation. I didnt think I would enjoy the class but I truly did! One of my favorite teachers!
Midori doesn't tell her students what she wants for assignments and then gives failing grades for not doing it properly. You can't ask questions during class and expects you to waste time after the class is over to ask any questions you have. She plays favorites if you kiss up to her enough. I would definitely avoid.
Midori is a great teacher. She's very passionate about what she teaches, and is very clear when explaining things. She is a hard teacher though and expects a lot from her students. If you do a good job, don't slack off, and do all the readings you'll do great and learn a lot.
Midori is extremely boring. She lectures for the entire class period with no break. For assignments, she does a bad job of tellin you what she wants but then grades extremely harsh. Not a fun teacher. I enjoy the subjec but hate this class. I wish would have known how not fun this classws before taking it.
Seems like a fun person, not a great teacher. Incredibly unclear with what she expects from students in regards to assignments. This class was a hybrid and the online portion was a joke. Half of the assignments were not posted correctly, making them impossible for students to do, and instruction were (again) unclear.
Midori is very passionate about her topic. The unfortunate thing is that many students are simply taking her classes to fulfill the Natural Science requirement because they think it will be an easy A. You can't slack off in this class. If you have interest, and you apply yourself, it's a great fit.
Midori is a great teacher. Very passionate and knowledgeable. The class is hard, and she expects a lot from her students. But, she's always willing to make time to give you extra help. The labs are fun and I enjoyed the service project. Expect to study a lot for exams and donate 2 hours or more a week for writing lab reports.
This professor was incredibly unclear with the assignments. For a hybrid class you would expect her to use the online calender, well she didnt. Not only that but she gave little attention to assignments in class, and only briefly mentioned them. Very easily to slip up in class, she assigned 3 textbooks that you will fully read. Extremely difficult!
People have mixed opinions about Midori. I loved her classes, and yes they were hard, but this is college. I took her wetland conservation class the first time it ran. I didn't do as well as I hoped, but that's because I spaced on several of the online assignments, I didn't do all the readings, and I had too heavy of a course load.
I could tell you anything about the contents of soil after taking this class. The labs are fun, and the work load isn't too bad. Midori is a great teacher, very passionate about her subject. It's too bad the people who take her class are just trying to get science credit. Show interest and participate and you will pass.
Midori is one of the best environmental teachers I have ever had. She is clear, concise and reviews information so that you can remember the importance of what is being taught.
She warned students at the beginning of the class that only 30% of her students pass,I did every assignment, she is unclear on her expecations for the portfolio and is an extremely hard grader. She seems cool as a person but not so much as a teacher. I got a 0.0 in the class. It was a hybrid class and nothing online was never discussed in class
Do not take her hybrid class. She is very unclear on what is going on. There is no way of knowing what is on a quiz, no guidance. She does not respond back regarding questions and or concerns. Does not care if students pass or fail.
She is very unorganized. Her online syllabus and assin sedule was not clear and still had assignments mixed in with ours from up t2 quarters prior to out class. Her lectures would put Rip Van Winkle to sleep. Will never take another class with her as the instructor. Ruined what could have been an interesia.
Best class ever! Field trips every week to different wetlands! I learned so much in this class and had fun doing it. Midori expects a lot from you but it's within reason, and will only expand your knowledge. You'll create a unique bond with classmates & also host Wetland Day on campus to educate peers. take this class!
She's a VERY cool person!!! SO inspiring seeing how much enthusiasm she has in class. But dear god.... for a level entry class, she had to make it beyond miserable for everyone. Toughest grader and acted like we were all there to major in soil. I strongly recommend taking this class with a different instructor or school.
Midori is very passionate about Environmental and Soil Sciences. While this class might be an entry level class, you will learn very important things that everyone should be required to learn about. You have to do your work in order to succeed. You don't have to be a science major as this is an interdisciplinary field. Be respectful & participate.
Professor Sakura is the most amazing instructor I've ever had in college. She is not only a Soil scientist (yes, very knowledgeable and passionate about her subject), but she is funny and gives amazing, informative lectures. She is a very tough grader and her labs are quite difficult at first, but if you understand the material, it should be fine.
Midori is a great professor. She is more than willing to help you in this class, and makes it an extremely fun learning environment. I went to class every day, did my work, and actually tried in this class, science is not my forte, and I got an 87. As long as you show up and put in the effort, you will do well in this class.
Really tough class. Don't expect to get an A on any of the assignments or tests, because you'll be sorely disappointed. She's an extremely tough teacher but is actually a really nice person, so if you have any concerns don't be afraid to talk to her. I definitely learned a lot in this class so it was worth the hard work.
Midori is a really cool person. She will definitely push you. The downside is she doesn't really provide guidance in regards to class work, she focuses more on study skills and assumes you are understanding the material which for most students isn't the case. My advice is to do the readings and form study groups if taking ENV 101 Good Luck!
Midori hands down is the best professor I had at Cascadia college. She is a really tough grader so you have to put a lot of effort into assignments, especially lab to get a decent grade. The class is hard, but I learnt so much that I think I will remember soil and envs in a VERY long time. Love this class and Midori!
she is arguably the single most unaccommodating professor I've ever had. be prepared to devote all your time and energy into her class if you wish to pass with a decent grade. if you forgot your assignment but wish to turn it in by 11:59 pm that same day, well tough luck for you kid, you just got steamrolled by the professor and now you're done for
probably the worst professor ive ever had at cascadia. incredibly unspecific as to what she expects and then marks you down for not doing the assignments exactly how she wants them. this class is only useful if you plan on majoring in soil sciences. would not take ever again.
taking this class was possibly the worst mistake i have made in my entire college career. this professor is completely unreasonable. one of my classmates forgot his assignment at home and was willing to drive back home to get it or even take a penalized grade for late work, but she told him that he would get a 0 regardless of what he did. terrible.
completely unreasonable professor. her grading rubric was never defined, she was entirely unaccomodating to any problems students were facing. never take this professor or you will not pass.
because of this professor I will have to take 4 classes in summer quarter so that I can graduate at a reasonable time. with the amount of people in my class that are struggling its a wonder that she still has her job. if you want a class with a well defined grading criteria and a professor that will be understanding when life happens. look elsewher
Do not take this class. If you are, ur better off taking the money and flushing it down the toilet or placing it on 1 hand of blackjack at Caesars Palace because it's supporting an instructor that does not know how to teach. Can't logically grade anything, will make ur life miserable. *Her thoughts* Graduation? Nahh, let's make em suffer some more.
you can try and try and try. if she doesn't like you and if you don't love soil like she does, you will fail. she will act very nice to your face, but behind the scenes will rip your grade to pieces. horrible communication skills and will take you down. discovery park field trip? be prepared to stare at a dirt wall for 6 hours. worst class ive had.
While there are a lot of comments above that say Professor Midori is a terrible teacher, I strongly disagree. Although she is definitely a tough grader, she cares about the material, is very clear, and is open very to help her students. Be prepared to work hard f the grade, but the class is very worth the effort.
Not a great professor by any means. She teaches us like we're little kids, and grades us as if we were experts on the subject. She's friendly and all, but friendliness doesn't help me learn.
SHOCKED by the reviews on here!!! Midori hands down changed my college experience for the better. ENVS required a lot of reading, and naturally there is homework (hello- college?) BUT if you show up to class, ask for help and give effort you will pass! She cares about your grade and even more about your actual understanding. Don't be afraid!!
Wetland Ecology is a complex subject. The first part of the course covers basic geology, chemistry, and biology concepts necessary for understanding soil formation in wetland environments. The remainder of the class covers different types of wetlands, with some great field labs in Riparian wetlands, tidal marshes and bogs.
I've taken this class two times, and to be quite frank I'm not the best student. So if you're coming into this course, you have to be ready to put in the work. That being said, the materials covered provide an excellent foundation in the realm of environmental science. If anyone is considering a career in the subject I highly recommend this class.
Midori is one of the most amazing teachers I've ever had; intelligent, passionate, fun, and a great lecturer. Tough grader, expects you to apply concepts and think very critically, but if she sees that you care and give your best effort she is more than willing to work with you. Great prof, totally changed my perspective on school.
I am a 4.0 student at Cascadia and I will not be passing her class. Her grading guidelines are not clear. I spent 4 hours on my last lab, just to receive a D and she doesn't give enough time for labs. Granted, I have learned so much from her class and she is a great teacher. Just has ridiculous expectations for a 101 class.
I have taken both GEO101 and ENVS220 classes with Midori and enjoyed both of them. She is well versed on the subjects, encourages asking questions, fun, and extremely dedicated to her classes. The class will be difficult if you do not put forward effort and professionalism, but if you are willing to put the work in, the class will be enjoyable.
She is inconsistent with instructions and has a completely arbitrary grading system that is unclear and difficult to meet. She doesn't respect student time, by always arriving late to class and by talking so much during labs that you are forced to stay late in order to complete your work.
If I took general chemistry this class wouldve been easier. If school is hard for you this may be very challenging. Shes a good teacher. I felt like there were gaps in knowledge, when doing the labs, quizzes and tests, even after doing/reading the assigned material and doing research on my own. Didnt know what questions to ask to better understand.
Seriously, she is probably the most ridiculous teacher that I have ever had. It got to a point that I was thinking of dropping out of school all together this quarter because of so much confusion. She grades so poorly. She teaches us the subject as if it were easy and grades harshly. Would never take a class with her again.
Amazing professor and you learn so much in her class. In order to succeed in her class you truly have to work hard, have an active mindset, and HAVE to always be sure to thoroughly read her instructions. Labs are extremely in-depth and comprehensive which really do necessitate paragraph-long answers. Her exams are also really tough.
Last quarter was my first time back in school since high school. Midori was such a poor instructor that I decided to transfer to another community college because if this is the type of teacher Cascadia hires then it must be a very poor school. Coming in knowing nothing, the course work is too hard and she nor the school seem to care.
Coming from someone that averages a 3.8, this is a tough teacher. I failed this class. Midori is a very nice women that holds high expectations to her students. Be prepared to work hard and really make sure you only submit your best work. I'm taking this as a wake up call as to what may be in store once I get into higher level coarses.
Midori tries to be a "tough teacher" because this should be a fairly basic and easy class (easy as in the concepts, not the work of course) and yet you will find that you are almost never right about anything. If you skip a class, you will fall very far behind but even if you go to every single class, you're still not going to get above an 80%.
Absolutely ridiculous expectations for a 101 entry-level science class. She told us from the very first day of the quarter that she would not treat this class as if we were going to be environmental scientists. That's exactly how she treated it. Perhaps I would have been able to dedicate my life to this class if I had not been taking 20 credits.
She is a very nice person, but is a very tough grader and makes you work for your grade.
Be prepared to work very hard for the grade you get. Midori's class has great lectures and content, but it can be hard to understand and a huge time commitment. ENVS220 is my favorite class I have taken at Cascadia, but also one of the most difficult.
Midori was an excellent professor. While some say she was a tough grader, it is a science class and there are specific answers. It is apparent that she cares a lot for the subject matter, and she has a degree in soil science! She is more than willing to talk to students and stewardship and class work as well.
Midori is passionate about her subjects, but avoid her classes. The worst teacher I've ever had at Cascadia. I'm an A+ student and this class destroyed my self/academic confidence and my 4.0 GPA. Very unclear grading criteria and expectations. You'll be too busy desperately trying to decipher her assignment prompts to actually learn anything.
Is Midori's class tough? Yes! But here's the thing: She's the most passionate teacher I have ever met. She is an absolute powerhouse of information, experience, and support. Don't take her classes if you only need to check a box... But if you're there to learn and challenge yourself, Midori will support you on a path to success. Very funny too!
Its a 101 class, this type of class should gear students up to be excited about the subject... instead she treated it like it was a masters level course and made it so difficult to feel successful in the field that it completely turned me away from the subject. Worst blow to myself esteem, no matter how hard I tried I was doomed to fail.
I had taken Professor Midori for COLL101 as a hybrid course. I believe that she is a good person overall. However, her teaching is rather boring. Her grading criteria is not very clear, though she grades very strictly. Ive had an incident where I had communicated with her to come to a resolution, but she was not understanding and lenient at all.
Teacher is the kind that shouldnt be giving any non advanced classes. 100 lvl or not be ready for a 400 lvl class worst teacher at cascadia Ive ever had
Professor is nice but don't expect to get a good grade in this class. 101 level course that feels like your major. Very unorganized. The labs you spend 4+ hours doing outside of class get harsh grades even if you thought you handed in your best work. Content learned doesn't always apply to labs, making it more difficult. hardest class I've taken.
Midori is a wonderful prof. Her grading system is strange, and your grade will be low for the majority of the class. If you do your work tho, you can expect a good grade by the end of the quarter. Pay attention to what's due when; it's easy to forget labs and she's pretty strict on late work. Her grading system is clear tho, I loved her class.
Do not take winter class! Do not take this class at all!! She takes well over a month to reply to emails, if at all, that's with over 5 different in-class vocal reminders to her. Talks over my questions and on the rare instances that she does listen or listen fully, her "answers" do not address what I had asked. This is not a 100 level class.
Professor Sakura's passion for teaching, wetlands, and environmental sciences was a true inspiration and made for a great quarter. This class was challenging but in a good way very intriguing. I learned so much. And any struggles I had, Professor Sakura was there to help. She cares about her student's success. I highly recommend this Prof and class
She has great lectures and is very kind in class, but she grades her assignments so critically it's hard to maintain a decent grade. I'm generally a pretty decent student and I struggled with the assignments, stressing over the smallest things, and I still never got full credit on any assignment.
I get mostly A's in classes but I could barely maintain a C with Midori. She grades too harshly (especially since this is a 101). In class she's charming and obviously knows what she's talking about, but the class is simply too difficult
I asked her for extension to pass the class, she did not even say that she was going to curve my grade when i was not passing. I understand that she doesnt have to but you kinda expect from your professor to understand the student. I took CoL101 which she taught this Spring and before that I took that class 2 times, I just wanted to pass this one
Absolutely wonderful lectures. Passionate and very informative. However, the grading is insanely hard. So hard in fact I would hardly denote this class to be a "101", mainly because its graded inappropriately for a survey class. I had held a high GPA prior to taking this class, but you will have to work extremely hard to get anything above a C.
She is a very well respected and knowledgable professor. You have to work hard in her class, but it all pays off. I'm now a UW student and because of the classes I took with her, I have an incredibly easy time in all my classes. I've learned a great deal about env science, discipline, how to succeed in professional, educational, and personal tips.
Midori gives incredible lectures that you'd be able to understand with zero background in geology. Since she's a soil scientist she talks about soil a lot which is incredibly valuable in understanding environmental science, ecology, and any other related field. My favorite part of this class is the soil labs. I strongly recommend her classes.
I have never seen any professor work as hard for their students as Midori does. She has a wonderful personality, very reasonable, understanding, and easy to talk to. I've graduated from Cascadia and still go to her for advice, whether it's about science or just personal school-related challenges. She really cares about her students & their success.
She is a wealth of knowledge. If you want to do well, pay attention, ask questions, and put the time in required to succeed. Shes a great professor who genuinely cares about her students and their education. Anyone who gave her a terrible review probably did that because they didn't do very well in her class, or try.
Shes a good professor who cares about her students. If you care enough about your education and work hard you will succeed. This is a really fun class, come prepared to learn, read the material and proofread your lab reports.
I absolutely loved this class ! I would totally take it again for fun. I loved all the different aspects of it and how we had our lab days and even went out into the field! Midori is a wonderful teacher and doesnt hand out easy A's. She holds you accountable and I have all the respect in the world for her!
This was my first and only hybrid class and I enjoyed the flexibility of it being a hybrid class. I loved coming to class and really enjoy Midori's teaching style. You have to put forth effort and pay attention and you'll do great in this class! Midori is a wonderful teacher and I would've taken more classes from her if I could have!
Professor Sakura is passionate about the subject, and it shows. Syllabus is clear and complete, and professor Sakura will gladly show students where they can discover answers to their questions.
Professor Sakura challenged me in ways that I had not expected and inspited what I believe to be a lifelong passion for wetlands. The course content was engaging and relevant to my interests. I have since completed my degree in biology and use the information I learned in this class regulary both professionally and hiking in my personal life. <3
It was a complete honor to take a class from Midori. I see lots of comments about her grading, but she is very transparent about her expectations. I think these expectation were on point because she knows what is required to have a full comprehension of the subject matter. I would take every class she teaches if I had the chance.
Midori is a top-notch professor. She made it clear we should not take the course for an easy A. For many social science folks this is our intro to labs, and labs are challenging but interesting! Midori's hands-on, in-the-wetlands approach to teaching left me awe-inspired, challenged, and more a more conscientious member of our global community.
Midori's Wetlands class was jaw-droppingly awesome. We were challenged, we got dirty, we were inspired, and we made lasting friendships. We went on several fun and informative field trips that stretched our understanding of how wetlands function. As a result of Midori's passion, I chose to get a minor in environmental science. #MsFrizzle
Learned a lot in this class and the professor makes if fun, challenging, and retainable.
Great class! Was the one class I enjoyed going this past quarter and it was because she made it fun.
Best class and professor at Cascadia
Listens and engages with the classroom. Enjoyed the learning but professor more.
Yes! Field trips rock and so does professor!
Take a class with this professor if you can.
Great class and professor. Community learning project helped apply learning.
Not too hard but very interesting
Labs are super interesting and able to explore wetlands
Hands on lab environment which provides life perspective of science
Provided regular feedback to help me approve with each assignment.
Personal and available.
Made learning enjoyable, insightful, and communal. I know know we have soil not dirt.
Midori's class was one of my favorites I ever took at Cascadia. She works tirelessly to make sure students get the help they need. Her lectures are entertaining and easy to follow. The syllabus was very clear, so it was easy to study and prepare for every assignment and test. Take her class if you have the chance!
She will mark you down for the slightest things and will not accommodate you for small mistakes, even on the first day of class. GO WITH ANOTHER PROFESSOR.
Tough grader. Very tough grader. Very specific about how things are turned in, not lenient at all when genuine mistakes are made.
DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS WITH THIS PROFESSOR. I have A's in all of my classes except for this one. Its awful. She rambles for the entire class on a subject that could have been taught in 5 minutes and thats common sense anyways. She will make your college experience HELL. She makes college 101 hard just because she can, do not take this class .
She is a hard grader but also provides feedback on how to get a better grade next time around.
I wholeheartedly do not recommend taking this class. You will receive lectures that are inconsequential in the grand scheme of things, which is unfortunate given that you can't afford to miss more than one session. You can also expect your grade to be significantly undercut from the result of making minor mistakes. You will also learn nothing good.
I do not recommend this professor to anyone. Do not take a course with her you will regret it. Also she doesn't seem like she knows what she is doing, this is the absolute worst when you're actually trying to learn.
College 101 is supposed to be a very easy, but she doesn't make it seem like that. She makes the class so much harder. She's really boring as well. She talks for a really long time and you don't learn anything from it. It was still and easy class because it's College 101, but there are other teachers that could be much easier.
Sakura confused me. I thought she was quite pleasant in person and had great energy but once I left the class it was very difficult. She sent at least five emails everyday which was annoying and she gives these "small quizzes" that will take up to two hours and she gave those three times a week. Overall it was very difficult but I did learn a lot.
There's no vetting process on this site, so be aware that a decent percentage of the reviews you read have no veracity to them, its just people who are too salty to undergo even an iota of self reflection. This class makes you think. That's what you pay for at college. I've never had a quarter fly by as quickly and I'll never forget this class.
She rates herself on here for sure. Dont trust the ones that are good because she is crazy! This class was awful and she gives long pointless lectures that is just her repeating herself and her in class activities are childish. I do not recommend this professor to anyone. She should not be teaching.
Please pay attention to all negative reviews, they are legit!!!
assumes a lot of previous knowledge which kind of leaves you in the dust. very intimidating teacher, and i feel like she takes this class WAY too seriously just for a 101 level. ): straight from syllabus: make more than 8 grammar mistakes on a paper, get 20% deducted off your grade.. yeah.. don't take her.. she does a lot of these small things.
I have absolutely loved Professor Midori. Ive taken 2 classes from her and plan to take one more. Shes intense, thoughtful and a gifted teacher. Her passion and dedication to the topic was powerful. I always left her classes feeling excited. Hands down one of my favorite teachers Ive EVER had. Ive changed my career path because of her.
Midori would focus solely on stress and anxiety for this class. However, she would completely go against that with her mannerisms when it came to being on time to class and being organized and prepared. Her rubrics were unclear and pointless. I will never take a class she is teaching at Cascadia again...
DO NOT TAKE. I should have trusted the bad reviews on here. I have a 3.8 GPA that will now be going to a 3.2 from this class. If you don't have any previous knowledge on geology or soils DONT take this class with her. She expects you to be a professional soil scientist when it's a 101 class, and she is a hypocrite when it comes to her expectations.
I learned lots of great stuff & appreciated the labs. A passionate teacher & Im glad she brought me out of my comfort zone. Much respect. However, PLEASE be ready for each class. I cant stress this enough! Dont let the 101 mislead you. Those labs are HARD! Unless youre fine risking your GPA, Id be careful with this class. Still amazing though!
Wonderful professor and class, but extremely difficult. A 101 level class really shouldn't be this challenging. You will constantly have to work very hard. Almost half of the people who originally were in my class dropped. Very inspirational class with fun and interesting labs. Midori is great. I'd recommend it, but beware of a challenge.
Midori was a pretty cool professor in my opinion. I did really well in the class, but it seemed like a lot of other people struggled. The class has great content that is super relevant to anyone, but you cannot (!!) go into it treating it as an easy intro class. Spend the time to write out half page answers for labs and you will do fine.
Excellent professor with clear instructions and many opportunities to learn. Very student-centered and community based.
I ignored the bad comments in hope that she was a good teacher. I took a 101, and she treated it as if we were all experts on the topic. She gives horrible explanations for assignments and just expects you to know what she is talking about. She is a very unfair grader, and extremely hard to get a good grade! DO NOT TAKE most people I know withdrew
One of the worst professors Ive ever had and extremely uncompromising. I dont know if she thinks shes doing you a favor by being so anal about tiny details (newsflash: shes not). She will dock off tons of points for the smallest things. Do not take her class unless youre truly passionate about the subject.
This is one of the worst classes Ive ever taken in my life. If youre planning on taking this class, be WARNED that its near impossible to do good. Im an A student and I reached a point where I was crying just to pass. Shes an extremely tough grader(to where it doesnt even make sense), her labs are insanely confusing, SAVE YOUR GPAdonttakethis
Ive never gotten below an A in my life and I failed... insane grading, hours and hours of confusing lecture, tough quizzes, labs are impossible(had a group chat with 5 people and none of us could figure it out). She takes her job as a geology 101(supposed to be BASIC) way to seriously. read the bad reviews on here because theyre 100% real
I really enjoyed learning about Geology, but she graded my labs like I was doing a thesis. I basically attempted to regurgitate what she said through the modules, and still never received a perfect score on any assignment. I respect her "devotion" to geology, but if you preface the class with "I know many of you are taking this for a lab credit."GL
Midori is all about field trips and labs, which for this class were phenomenal. We visited wetlands all around the area, taking samples and learning about soil and plants. We also got to take visitors for tours on our campus wetland. For the passion and hands-on learning, this is the best class I've ever taken anywhere. Difficult but worth it.
This teacher will wait until the class is practically over before returning any of your grades for assignments even at the beginning of the course. So you will have no idea if your meeting her standard tell its to late. If you show up late once she wont give you any credit. Gave me 0 credit when I was helping others in the class learn.
Professor Sakura was a great teacher and definitely deserves a higher rating. She is clearly passionate about her subject, and cares about her students. It was a challenging class to take online, but definitely interesting as well.
This was by far one of my favorite classes I have taken at Cascadia. The negative reviews here do not reflect this class or professor well at all. Midori is an amazing and passionate professor that cares about her students. I loved her class so much I enrolled in another one. I hope to have the chance to enroll in one more before transferring.
This class was so well done that I considered changing my major to geology. Midori does an amazing job teaching and cares about her students. I have only praise for this class and would recommend it to anyone looking for a science class. This was my favorite professor at Cascadia and I hope to take a 3rd one of her classes before I transfer.
Ms Midori is so passionate. I had her for environmental science and miss the class so much. Shes great at hands on learning and makes sure her students succeed. If you dont read your book and study, you wont pass but the class is definitely worth it. Im a junior in college and she is still one of my favorite professors.
Midori has such a contagious passion for this topic, I still remember her lectures today, from what soil colors mean to understanding geologic time. She's is thorough/explicit with her expectations for assignments; take time to understand what she's looking for. Set aside time to study, reach out if you're confused and don't skip lectures.
Being one of my first ever college level courses, Im over the moon I had the opportunity to take it with Midori. The level of work is a lot and she makes this known, but was never not available to help us along the way. Not only is she a great teacher, but she is also a very enjoyable person to have!
Professor Midori is one of my favorite instructors at Cascadia. She was clear about her expectations, always on time with grading, very available for students who ask for support, and extremely knowledgeable on the topics she taught. Her classes are not simply an easy A, but the work is absolutely worth it. The labs and lecture were so fun!
Her Geology class was so interesting! The online format was a new challenge for me, but the way she structured the course made it easier for me to succeed in my learning. I highly recommend both this class and Professor Midori. Doing the readings and studying the lectures was needed. Tests and labs were well organized. 10/10!
College 101 was the 1st class I had the privilege of having from Midori (I liked so much I took more classes with her). She did an outstanding job of preparing me for college and encouraging students to be mindful of themselves and the environment. Slideshows + lectures were fantastic! Class was interactive and collaboration focused!
Professor Sakura's class was wonderful! There were many opportunities for students with different learning styles to thrive. Much of the class was based in hands-on learning and collaboration. I loved getting to explore the wetlands on campus and stretch my brain with the lab work. I would suggest her class to any new student at cascadia!
This is the type of class where the professor appears to relish in handing out bad grades. She obviously cares about the subject but doesn't seem to understand that she works at a community college teaching an intro class. Her teaching would be more at home at a scientific university in the 1950s.
I highly recommend ENVS101 if you are at all interested in the environment and/or need a science with a lab. Midori is very knowledgeable and passionate about her subject matter. Her lectures are entertaining and she truly cares about the environment as well as her students. You will have to work, but Midori is fair and always available to help.
I have never been a fan of science, but she manages to help ground science in a way I could understand. Plus, field trips again! The profs enthusiasm is addictive. This is one of my most favorite classes from all of college. TBH guys, I never thought I could love smelly bogs so much, but they really are amazing.
Loved Midori. She is a fun lecturer. Her classes are great for those who learn more hands on because you do a lot of hands on learning. Literally. You dig in the dirt and test soil levels for class, which is a bit different, but kinda fun. Plus after this you can take the wetlands class which is lit. I mean fields trips in college? Oh yes.
Can't speak to her in-person teaching style but as far as online goes, all I'm saying is trust the bad reviews. Take a different geology class if you want a good GPA. I've noticed she likes to comment on negative reviews but hopefully she is taking them into consideration for future classes as well.
SAVE YOURSELF AND RUN. YOU WILL SUFFER. The hardest grader, you will never get full points on anything. The averages in her class are terrible because she grades like you are a geologist. Worst decision I have made was take her class.
I cant speak to her in person teaching style, however online shes an extremely tough grader. She seems to enjoy giving bad grades. This class is treated like you already know everything about geology and doesnt feel like a 101 class. Shes clearly really passionate about this topic however her teaching style killed any interest that i had in it.
Her modules were so long and confusing. There was so much information and little time each week to do it. Many of the things on her weekly labs werent even in the module. When I went to her office hours for help or emailed her, she talked to me like I was stupid. Horrible class to take.
There are tough graders and then there are unrealistic expectation graders. It wasn't even so bad as far as the work, it was more the condescending comments and derogatory emails that were disappointing. I would not recommend this Geol 101 class with her you will only walk away with a feeling that you are stupid and dumb. Don't waste your time.
If you want to really learn Geology and have your perspective of our Earth changed because of it, PLEASE take Professor Sakura's class! Yes, she is a tough grader & expects you to dig deep. But, you will learn SO much and she is so ready to answer any questions you have. Plus, she has the most thorough online lectures I've ever experienced!
I LOVED this course and met several life long friends in this class. It was because of this class, I got a minor in Restoration Ecology and now work in a related field. There were tons of amazing field trips with with hands-on learning. Do the work, ask questions, and show up. Midori is by far one of my favorite professors ever!
This was my first environmental science glass. I went into it very close minded but Midori quickly changed that. This professor is REAL and authentic with you. She genuinely cares and knows what she's talking about! Yes she does expect a lot from her students but she also takes the time to help you meet those expectations. She's the best!
Midori was such a great teacher. She was more than happy to help me outside of class and take time out of her schedule. She does have high standards for her students but only with the students best interest in mind. As long as you actually try in the class you will pass. Please take her class!
You WILL need to work for this grade, but you will gain more than just that in the process. I have been a "bad student" and a "good student" and my effort and the teacher's interest in my learning was majority of the difference in the outcome. With prof Sakura , you only need try. I have never believed in myself more than when she was my professor.
I've had hard professors who truly don't care. Prof Sakura is not one of them. She will meet you where you are and bring you to a new deeper sense of understanding. She will inspire you to be a better student and a more free spirit. Her courses are hard but doable. Just try!
If youre into Geology and plan on seeking a career in the field this would be a great class. If youre taking it just as a prerequisite I dont recommend. Teacher is very into Geology which is very good, but it is far from a 101 class. It probably didnt help having to do it online either. No leniency & grades like you should write like a scientist
I would highly recommend you not take this class. It seems like she enjoys giving people bad grades. Then on top of that she's overly hyper critical about fragmented sentences and misspelled words. Never in my life have I ever received an F in a class. She's not a good teacher don't waste your time find another science teacher!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
just no
Fundamentally lacks the temperament, social skills, and MORAL rigor that comes with being an educator. I found the subject matter and her interest in it to be compelling. However, she displayed what I find to be blatant hypocrisy e.g.: Assignments prompts contain more than 8 errors, but assignments turned in are handed back for more than 8 errors
Midori was nothing more or less than a bad teacher. She graded our papers extremely hypocritically in regards to spelling/grammar errors(which rarely matter in science classes); we could have no more than 5 errors in assignments, yet her assignment sheets would be so littered with mistakes it made it hard to read. Would not recommend.
She showed me that there is truly evil in this world, work that is not perfect is given a zero and not even in a geology context. She needs to change to an English professor if she's going to treat a lab on fricking mixing dirt and water like a level 300 English class. This is the worst grade I've ever gotten.. AND ITS AN INTRO GEO CLASS????
I really would not recommend this class. As a student who usually receives good grades, this quarter was extremely hard. Sakura was a horrible teacher who is one of the toughest graders I have ever come across. Expectations were never clear. Do not take this class.
Midori Sakura was a pretty good teacher, but she was very strict. Her quizzes were very hard because she asks a lot of open-ended questions. If you are good at science this class shouldn't be too hard for you. But if you are like me and are just taking a science class to fulfill a credit(and science isn't your strong suit) don't take this class.
I took a wetlands class with Midori and it is the only class Ive got a bad grade in while attending Cascadia. You have to go over and above in this class if you want to at least achieve a D in this class. I did everything my peers did and worked just as hard and she failed me. Student that copied my work somehow passed the class. She evil.
She is such a bad teacher that I am not going to call her a professor. She expects too much out of a students for an intro class, and her instructions are so unclear. I had a discord full of people where we didn't know what we needed to do before it was too late. This is the worst class I will ever take in running start and I am not even done yet.
Professor Sakura is undoubtedly the worst teacher I have ever had. I have always been a straight-A student and never in my life have I submitted every assignment in a class and still struggled to pass. While she is passionate about Geology, Professor Sakura could not care less about her students; expect to struggle and don't expect her to help.
Her teaching style did not suit me and many others. I believe half the class dropped out within the first month, and I know more dropped the class at the half way mark. She was a very hard grader (unnecessarily so) and I wasn't actually learning the material. I was very disappointed because I was quite excited for this class!
The stories I heard about this professor and how she treated students was utterly shocking. She made very unethical decisions and wasnt supportive if students had unexpected problems arise. All in all, my mental and emotional health is in shambles after taking her class.
When was the last time you seen a pink rock in your backyard before? This class is absolutely garbage. I got a bunch of dirt and leaves dumped on me while looking for her stupid rocks. My fingers are still frozen. She is very rude and inconsiderate. So you tell me. Is it worth it? I was looking for rocks in a construction site and I still failed :/
When was the last time you seen a pink rock in your backyard before? This class is absolutely garbage. I got a bunch of dirt and leaves dumped on me while looking for her stupid rocks. My fingers are still frozen. She is very rude and inconsiderate. So you tell me. Is it worth it? I was looking for rocks in a construction site and I still failed :/
Super tough teacher, extremely tough on grades, and not very nice or helpful. The worst part was the excessive amount of unclear homework given on top of the reading and lectures. It was too much, and no one learns when that stressed and unable to even ask for help. I am an A+ student and never dropped a class before this one. Never again. Beware.
If you want a stressful quarter, have a low GPA, this is the right teacher. Extremely tough on grades, and not helpful. Sent us a long letter (very threatening )The worst part was how unapproachable she is. It was too much, and no one learns when that stressed and unable to even ask for help. For an introductory class it's not worth it Never again.
Nothing, it was a horrible experience, i literally got this app to warn others. Most teachers are there to try and inspire you to pursue a specific subject, or at least give you a fundamental interest in said subject, but she did the opposite.
Midori is an amazing professor! I enjoyed being in her class and learning new things everyday. She is very open and honest with your work and is willing to help in any way she can. She is also very flexible with office hours and responds to canvas emails within a few hours.
I'm a former student and am happy to say I'm currently using what she taught me in my title as Ecologist for a wetland consulting agency. As a professional environmental scientist, I would highly recommend her. She will set a great foundation if you are serious about learning and will challenge you in a way to prepare you for a career. A+ professor
Midori will actually teach you something! I absorbed so much from her class and it set me up great for the rest of my education. I would not have been able to succeed as well as I have without her instruction. This also requires you to work a little harder, but nothing good comes easily. Her class is worth it!
Midori really gets animated about geology! Her energy and passion for the subject makes the course really enjoyable. Probably one of the more interesting and fun classes I have taken in school. I would definitely recommend her class.
Professor Sakura uses her expert knowledge to weave together many different and complex ideas that provided a better understanding of the class material. She is active and engages students during lectures, pushing for not only a response to a question, but also for the reason why. The field trips are educational and so much fun!
Do not take her unless you enjoy science. She runs this class with expectations of a 300 level class and is really bad at giving clear organized instructions. It almost feels like she is trying to punish you for filling a credit. The most ridiculous grader ive ever seen too.
She stretches out 30 minutes of content in a lecture to 2 hours in an extremely obvious way. The grading style (which is just scores with at most a fragmented sentence) is absurd and would be laughed out of 300 classes. I am blown away she has remained employed. Also, every single class went over time by 10ish minutes. Labs went over by 20 or more.
Midori is an amazing professor, she is inspiring and cares about her students and wants us to learn things that we can use in our everyday lives. There is a good amount of reading but if you do the readings and come to class, pay attention, and participate in lab, it is pretty easy. She is also super great to chat with and makes lecture fun!
Any student of Midori's would agree that she has expert knowledge in the studies she instructs. This seems to become a problem, however, when teaching introductory classes. When asking her a question about the material, it was hard to navigate towards her understanding what the ask was. This applied not only to me, but noticeably other students.
Some students at Cascadia - especially the ones in running start- are looking for the easy A and stay-in-your-lane type of education they expected in high school but are shocked that Professor Sakura expects more. Her classes will challenge and push you to learn outside the box, which I liked.
I knew the class would be rough from the beginning because my syllabus quiz which I actually studied for got a 4/6 and she thought I was cheating since she said my eyes were drifting when she checked the honor lock. I think that sums it up. Halfway through I had to drop the class because it would have negatively effected my GPA heavily.
There was lots of reading, but the overall material wasn't too difficult to understand. The labs and the lab reports she gave were challenging and time-consuming to complete, though. Even though she's a tough grader, it ultimately helped me grow and be challenged to think critically about my work.
Midori expects her students to be engaged & think critically about the course material; for some, this may be challenging. However, if you are engaged, participatory, and able to keep up with the assigned reading, passing will not be a problem. Midori makes a point to make class fun & exciting, and is clearly an expert in her field.
As someone who has NO interest in science or labs, Midori made this class extremely interesting. I can honestly say I learned so much. She is a tough grader but if your actually interested in learning something I highly recommend her and this class
Professor Sakura is a game-changer in the classroom. Her engaging teaching style keeps you captivated while her genuine enthusiasm for the subject is infectious. The insights gained have had a lasting impact on my outlook. Don't miss the chance to stomp around in the muck getting your hands dirty while learning about our amazing world!
Wetlands is such a fun class, it is very hands on and collaborative with others and develops such a great sense of community within the class. Professor Sakura can be a tough grader but she wants to see you succeed and will do everything she can to help! If you are able to pay attention, show up, do the reading and ask questions, you will be fine.
Midori was very inspirational. She is obviously interested in the subjects that she teaches, which makes the courses very memorable. The field trips to local wetlands allowed for hands-on learning and a chance to work as a team in groups. She is a somewhat difficult grader but almost always available and easy to talk to. Highly recommend!!!
Professor Sakura is a great teacher and has lots to share if you're curious about soil science or wetland issues. Her wetland conservation class is a good primer on a huge topic and pairs well with her wetland ecology course in the spring. If you attend the lectures and spend quality time on the writing assignments you'll be fine grade-wise.
Professor Sakura's class on wetland ecology literally changed my life: I never before appreciated wetlands as an ecosystem or even what they were, but now I'm pursuing a career in wetland science and management! Attending lectures is critical and it may be easier for those who have taken a little chemistry. The field trips are marvelous!
I couldn't possibly imagine a more rigid professor for an entry level class. Her course is designed more to test your boundaries than your knowledge. Her syllabus quiz is closed-note with very specific and weird questions designed to be cumbersome. She also uses Honorlock for tests, which is invasive, oversensitive, and even outlawed in Ohio.
Really fun and interesting class content but oh man her "quizzes" are brutal and there are few other assignments during the quarter to help your grade if you make a mistake on any of them. In class material is not made accessible outside of class periods and assignments are dense and time consuming. Take if you like wetlands but prepare to work
One of the most confusing and overwhelming classes. Had a discussion board on a topic only for the professor to introduce that same topic a week after the assignment. There's little connecting the readings and her lectures in class. No amount of passion for the subject makes her class worth it. The class will not push you, it'll shove you over.
Went into this class optimistic based on reviews and am disappointed. Midori clearly cares a lot about the subject matter, but lectures are disjointed and inaccessible after class, and quizzes are dense, difficult and pretty stressful. They are multiple long answers on very specific material with no notes allowed, and worth a lot of your grade :(
Professor Sakura cares about the subject that she teaches, but does not teach well. I appreciate her conviction to teach but feedback is unclear. She wants a specific answer for labs with specific wording. Make sure to show up to every class. Great personality, professor Sakura clearly cares about her students but is iffy with teaching.
I'm going to be very frank- the people giving Sakura a low score/saying that she "isn't a good teacher" went into this class expecting an easy A because it's a community college, and were unprepared for actual college-level science & labs. Sakura's ENV1O1 is the most engaging and rewarding class I've taken thus far. Would take again.
Very nice and thoughtful professor. The class is a very tough one but worth it. To succeed in this class do the optional worksheets and read the textbook. At the start of your class make sure to use her office hours when you do not understand a section. This class will teach you how to take good notes and self-learning in your free time.
Any review over an awful is probably her writing her own reviews. An entry level class should NOT be this stressful with SO MUCH homework. I dropped the class because I would rather lose 600$ than have to put up with the stress that this teacher puts on her students for NO REASON. Her instructions are unclear and she is not willing to work with us.
Grades harshly on the most insignificant details and removes points for unnecessary reasons. Also, when approaching her with concerns or questions she responds in a very passive-aggressive/defensive tone. She refuses to take accountability for mistakes she has made and instead blames students for their confusion. I do not recommend her class.
Extremely harsh grader on Labs. Expects 15 hours of studying for a 100 level class. Relies on Honorlock, an absolutely horrible web extension. Absolutely DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS ONLINE.
She cuts so many points for labs especially the topography one. Be careful for this lab because she cuts down the most in this lab.I would not recomend anyone to take this class online due the labs. In person will help you get a better grade in this class due to the labs.
Her instructions for assignments are NOT CLEAR at all but she expects us to meet every single one of her UNCLEAR criterias and grades very specific on those. WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS PROFESSOR. THE WORST
Midori was an amazing professor. She is a no BS professor which I love about her. You can tell she genuinely cares about her students and wants to see them succeed. She is one of the most down to earth professors I have had and I really enjoyed taking her class. She makes class lessons fun, I was never dreaded coming to her class.
This class was rough; with brutal quizzes, and ridiculous expectations for an introductory class. A high grade is nearly impossible to attain. Sakura is passionate and I respect her for her knowledge but the labs have confusing directions and she loves to dock points for extremely minor things, wouldn't recommend this class.
DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS ONLINE!! Your GPA will suffer and die in this class!! Yes, she is very passionate about what she teaches but she is terrible at teaching it. She gives little instructions which are always confusing and she refuses to clarify. She will destroy your grade over spelling errors and all your labs will never be good enough for her.
4k word paper yeah dude nice
long assignment prompts with ambiguous directions and grammatical errors, ironically. no scores dropped, 5-6 honorlock tests, harsh time limit. video lectures longer than needed. 30-40 pgs weekly+ long modules. points removed for grammar errs in writing. expects u to memorize 200+ territories and landmarks. obscure citation CSE, manual citations rq
I highly recommend taking Professor Midori's classes! I cannot stress enough that she is the most inspiring, caring, and thoughtful professor. Her criteria is very complex, but you must understand that her work will bring you great knowledge. She is very flexible during office hours and only wants to see you succeed! Set a time to go see her!
Please don't take this class ever. Although she is a nice teacher, she is just insanely tough. Her lesson goes beyond 30 pages, with additional information of 20 pages and she deducts points a lot unnecessarily and tests the students brutally Her class is not tolerable and your GPA would be affected badly especially during finals week
Midori expects students to pay attention to lectures and complete the readings. No surprise exam questions. Energetic, personable, cares for students, and is excited about the course material. Readings were not too long, labs could be difficult. On/Off campus field trips are the highlights of the class. Everyone in the class became pretty close.
Detailed feedback for improvement on each assignment with a very clear rubric on each. Great communication. Quizzes are challenging as they assess your knowledge accurately. Video lectures are engaging, and she is passionate about the course material. Prof. Sakura encourages students and wants to see them succeed. I highly recommend this course.
I took her environmental wetlands ecology, the only grade I've ever gotten that was this bad... Her quizzes are very unrealistic giving you little time for 15 questions 12 of them being free responses questions. If you are shy and don't talk you are getting marked for it must be extroverted for her class. DBS and homework are unreasonable workload.
Do not take this professor! She is very unhelpful and when you ask her how to study for a test she responds with a horrible response. She gives very hard quizzes do not take this teacher! If you want to be stressed out and learn about swamps take this class then
Don't take this class unless you have to!!!!
Expects 30 to 40 hours of weekly commitment for an introduction class. Gives vague feedback that doesn't help at all. Quizzes are extremely difficult with more than half of them being free response questions. Whatever you do DON'T take this class online.
HORRIBLE TEACHER do not take this class she does not take feedback well and will fail every assignment you complete. I had to withdraw within the first two weeks because she was already failing me. She grades you on criteria that isn't even listed in the rubric.
Literally take any other lab science/ professor . She will be like that one high school teacher you still remember because of how bad of a teacher they were. But if you dont want to listen do what is best for you :)
I heavily advise staying away from her class. She does not know how to teach. The class is barely an introduction and rarely focuses upon the basics of geology instead around geological phenomena and multi layered and over complicated projects. I'm sure she would be better for a advanced class but for the average student the class is a GPA tanker.
Do NOT take this class, She grades you on criteria that aren't even on the rubric. Gave me 1/20 on a lab with one comment that stated "please write professionally." After asking for clarification, it was because I used the wrong version of Aerial vs Ariel... I have never failed a class in my entire life but I had to drop this one.
Sets high expectations but gives you the tools to succeed. You'll be ok if you put in the effort. Not for those looking to coast through. Gives clear guidance and wants you to really understand the material. Passionate, organized, and cares deeply about the subject. Having her as a professor at Cascadia is honestly an underrated privilege.
-fun labs (get own lab kit) -interesting/ engaging -can be harder to grasp some concepts due to limitations of online class (ask for help/ go to office hours) -don't skip reading/ lectures, you will likely struggle Professor Sakura will invest in you and your learning to the same degree that you do. Challenging class (in a good way imo).
Midori is an amazing professor. She is always willing to answer any questions, her lectures are fascinating, and you can tell she is passionate about the subject. She is a tough grader, but as long as she sees improvement, your grade will improve. Follow instructions and ask for clarification if you need it; she wants you to succeed.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
84%
Textbook Required
20%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.33 avg changeRatings by Course
ENV220
5.0
(3)GEO150
5.0
(1)ENVS220
4.8
(19)EVNS220
4.0
(2)ENVS101
3.9
(45)Difficulty by Course
COS126
5.0
GEOL101
4.4
GEO101
4.3
ENVS101
4.1
ENV120
4.1