2.2
Quality3.8
Difficulty16%
Would Retake104
Reviews16%
Would Retake
104
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
9
4
16
3
14
2
23
1
42
What Students Say
“Overall, I would never take her again”
RDG013 - 2.0 rating“Just really gives MCC a bad face”
ENG122 - 1.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
95%
Textbook Required
0%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.71 avg changeRatings by Course
CHILDLIT
5.0
(1)ENG101
4.0
(2)RDG01
4.0
(1)ENG212
3.3
(4)RDG011
3.1
(10)Difficulty by Course
CHILDSLIT
5.0
ENG122H
4.3
ENG122
4.0
ENG101
4.0
ENG121
4.0
Reviews (104)
...she is a nice person as well as a nice teacher, i will say she gives a lot of work
Absolutely useless.
She is a nice teacher but togh at grading your papers otherwise she is okay. Be prepared to work if you are going to choose her.
Worst teacher EVER.
She is a hard teacher, not becuase of the work becuase that's what you do in English but becuase of her grading she expects for you to have written the best essays and paper
she is a wonderful professor...she makes children's literature fun...her assingments are very easy.There is only projects and the midterm is to read to children and then the final is something from the book...Other then that she is a greattttttt professor
She is a hard teacher becuase your papers need to be perfect-no great-perfect. Everything needs to be perfect and her grading are terrible. She expects for you to have written the best essays and paper. Ater she grade you paper you cry because she loves D and C.
she is the greatest teacher you will ever have. hands down.
She does grade on the more difficult side. When you think you couldn't have done that bad...it's worse! Overall the class was not that bad. The final wasn't too bad as well. It was open book but your answers came from exercises and stories done in class.
No Comments
She was a horrendous teacher. She never fully describes the assignment but when you don't do exactly what she wants, you get a bad grade.
She was a nice, helpful, and friendly professor, but when it came to assignments and grading, she would often change the assignment checklist or requirements AFTER you handed it in, or if you didnt do a paper in a way she liked it, I often got a C or a D.
The Best!
SHE IS AN AWFUL TEACHER I HAVE EVER SEEN.DON'T TAKE HER SHE IS TERRIBLE AND SHE CALLED HERSELF A WITCH.
No Comments
I consider her as a nice professor. As soon as you do your homework the day before you attend the class, you will be fine. She even discusses the answers included in the homework in the beginning of every class. I believe she is a good professor. Besides you have to write good essays. She like students who are regular and sincere in their work.
She is not clear on her instructions for her essays, however her class is taught in a workshop type class and its kinda fun because even if you dont do your homework once or twice you are still okay. Ive done my homework in class before and its not really hard. You are required to write your homework in a composition notebook.
i had her for a "special topics" class. and i'd have to say that i did like her class because you get to sit in groups and talk over essays and understand it better. she's strict with the essays in that they CANNOT be late. just make sure you are prepared for class and have the essays done. overall, i thought she was a really good teacher.
Thanks her for teaching me how to read and I learned a lot! She prepares a lot and I love her teaching style. It worthes very penny in her class!!!
She was all about reading the stories, and talking about survival, I registered for a special topics course, it was worth it in the end, she is a very good professor!
She was the worst when it came to the department tests she only gives a half an hour when you are suppose to have the whole class to do it. this is because she is too bust worry about the journals which we can go over another day they are not that important!!!!
She is well read and knows what she is talking about, HOWEVER, she should not be a teacher, especially of children's literature, she thinks that everyone can write and comprehend as well as she can and shes wrong, she doesnt take into account that other people have very busy lives and cant do projects every week and only allow 5 days to do them
yes dis teacher no good she kept giving me D grade. I try my hardest and she did not like it so I might fail dis class. HORRIBLE TEACHER!
Wachtel's classes are her LIFE. She will expect you to feel the same. This was fun for me, since I love English, but for anyone not interested in the subject, I recommend you stay far away. There's piles and piles of work, random field trips, and ridiculously strict grading. She will teach you tons, though.
She is awesome, and really easy. She gives you reading assingments and they're impossible to fail. She gives you six essays, and they're on really simple topics. The hard part is the research paper, make sure you follow all the directions! Overall great teacher. Oh, and she let us watch Fight Club in class. How awesome is that!? I love this teacher
Writing about survival is not ONLY about the Holocaust or the NY Times. This was ALL she talked about. I was very offended throughout the semester bc people have survived WAY more than this. The work wasn't worth it. Take a regular English 122...you'll learn more, there'll be more discussions. Toplansky's good :)
If you're taking a full-time schedule, you WON'T have time for this class. She acts like her class is the only class that you're taking. I'm a NJ STARS--I enjoy the challenges that college brings but this was unneeded extra stress. Find out the books required for the class, read them on your own. Then, you won't need to take the class!
I don't understand why my comment was taken off. This professor is horrible and you're an idiot if you take her.
dr wachtel is ok she does give alot of work but most of the class is based off the book has long as you do your hw the exact way she wants it your good to go if you have alot of classes that give alot of work i do not recomend taking this class even though she is really nice
if you do the work it's an easy A but she's beyond boring
THIS CLASS IS POINTLESS WITH THIS PROF. she makes you buy her book new and makes you write in it to hand in pages so you cant sell it back n if u miss one thing your lost dont ever take this professor youve been warned
If you do the work, it's an easy A.
This professor is very sharp as she begins class on time with no exceptions. She has high expectations in her class as she expects the same from her students. Class participation and completing all homework assignments are highly recommended. Overall I have had great results and success in her class. Outstanding professor!
Dr. Wachtel makes you watch Fight Club in class, and gives a lot of short papers to write, and one bigger research paper. Don't miss a class if you can help it because she only gives instructions verbally, and only gives them once unless you ask. Follow her instructions EXACTLY, especilly on the research paper, and you'll get an A.
She's really pretentious and has you buy/read her published book. Vague in her instructions but particular about what she wants. She's boring/comes off as a shrew sometimes. The work isn't hard, multiple small essays, but doing it all to her taste is difficult when she tells you to consult your "group members" instead of actually helping you. Rude.
She's a horrible professor, not very clear with directions. She's an easy grader but she makes you buy two of her books during the semester. I wouldn't take her again.
Horrible professor. The class is easy but she makes it seem hard because of her confusing directions. She makes you buy two books she has written and rip pages out of it, she's a smart businesswoman. Her directions are very confusing. I wouldn't take her again
I mean she is a nice professor and all but her class was just boring thats all and she rushed me on two tests.
I mean she is a nice professor and all but her class was boring. She rushed me on two tests. I don t think I am going to take her again though.
DONT DO IT. BORING CLASS. she makes u buy her books. and is very redundant with material
She is very boring
She is very strict about punctuality.
The class is boring & useless plus the professor is horrible. She'll make you buy 2 books she wrote & you'll rip pages out of it so you can't re-sell it. There are better professors than her at MCC to take. Her exams are confusing & difficult. Overall, I would never take her again. AVOID!
I have some choice words for this lady. but this website likes to keep things PG, so I am unable to say them on here.
She's a good teacher. She tells you exactly what she's asking of you for every assignment. The research paper is annoying and she doesn't really help with it once she approves your thesis statement. However I totally bs'd my paper so much that I didn't have enough pages to meet the requirement but I still got a B+ on it. Not too hard. Not too easy.
Honestly, she's not that bad. She just gives A LOT of work, specifically through the journal entries. You have to buy NYT articles for some of them, which was a nuisance. Depending on your writing skill, she's a pretty fair grader on essays. She likes to boast often about her experiences, which may or may not be annoying. Overall, she was okay.
She makes you purchase her texts. This was off-putting but then again the class was a special topic. First class you're given an essay, and there are 3 others after. She also has you purchase the New York Times newspaper, for journals. She expects the best from you, hence her tough grading. Challenging but enlightening. Having a good group helps.
I did better than most in her class. She's a bit tough on you unless you're a decent writer. She's extremely self-absorbed, she teaches out of two of her books and she talks about her life constantly. In the beginning, she has you get into groups, so if you have friends in the class, stay close. HOMEWORK IS MANDATORY, She'll call you out.
This is the best class I've taken. She has written a book that we read and co wrote a textbook we use and i think it's admirable that she followed a passion and is excited to share it with her students. She is an inspiration and i love listening to her stories her past and learning in her class. This class is a must take and i would take anyone of her classes again.
WARNING: DOWNLOAD AND PRINT PDF PAGES, DON'T BUY THE BOOK! If you buy the textbook, you're $100 plus will go down the drain! You'll be told to rip out the pages for a HW grade! And its not even worth it! The class is boring and "Shoiley" is a too-the-book professor and very unimaginative. Lame jokes do not grant attention SHOILEY!
Dr. Wachtel is an okay professor because in my experience, she gives a lot of homework! She also requires for us to have a textbook for class as well! But overall, she's an okay professor!
Just really gives MCC a bad face. theres a lot of talk about herself and her life and doesn't like argumentive discussions. Have to buy the books/textbooks that she has published (Gee I wonder why). Course work is easy but excessive to the point that is not necessary at all. Let's just say this class is expensive and I wouldn't have anyone take it.
Makes you go out and buy new york times articles for your work. Makes you write basically constant essays, and collects them twice in the semester. If even 1 of these essays are missing, the entire grade is an F. Cant find a New York Times article? F. "Online versions of the New York Times" could be altared. She won an award once and brags.
Straightforward course. There are a fair amount of assignments so Id recommend taking it in the fall or spring. Prof. Wachtel is a nice person, but she looks for a certain writing style. If youre a good writer and can figure out what she wants after the first paper youre good. Advice, do the journals, ask questions and the diagnostic is graded.
Lots of journal entries, but theyre good prompts, and very doable. Essays are challenging but not so much that you cant do them. Does a lot to get the meaning of the work across.
I was scared at the beginning of the class but later i found the professor to be really awesome. Her lectures are great and taking her class enhanced my English writing. She is very cooperative and figures out the ways to help students in achieving good grades.
One of the worst professors I have taken at MCC. Very boring class, and she treats you as if you were a child asking stupid questions like "What are the five senses" Makes you go out and buy her book and then signs it as if she were some Pulitzer winner. Very big ego, would avoid her if possible.
If you do to good she may ask if this is your work. Lots of homework and journals avoid at all cost. Most of the essays are on the Holocaust. If you don't like big writing assignments every week don't take this class.
This is possibly the worst professor Ive ever had. Made us buy all her books, were not even reading one and the bookstore wouldnt let us return it! She is so self centered and class isnt about analyzing her pieces but rather bragging about what she intended and what good reads they are. Has a touching family backstory, but not novel worth.
her reading about relationships I honestly believe should be renamed reading about Shirley Wachtel and books all inspired by her. All we read is her books that are not popular enough to buy at a store so you have to order them and then try to analyze a book that there is one clear answer and its all in the authors head. Easte of $. Dont take
She is the most arrogant person I have ever met. We read things that she wrote but arent popular enough to get into stores, then have to listen to her brag about how good they are. If your work is well written and neat, she questions if it is your work. The homework assigned is not relevant to anything else we do. I couldnt be paid to retake this
if people are telling you not to take her... it shows something doesn't it.
She, herself isn't bad but how she teaches and expects us to know every single material. It's her grading effects many students. DO NOT MISS ANY OF THE ASSIGNMENTS. she does not accept late work if you fail to hand one in your grade will drop tremendously. The class is also a waste of money, have to buy her book she wrote (eye roll).
Ive never felt as much anger towards a professor as I do towards her. If you want to waste your money on three and a half months of spending all you free time writing and buying/reading her material which she then tests you on, go for it. Honestly worth it to take 122 a different semester if your only choice left is to have her as the professor.
her class is literally broken down into 4 parts: - A WASTE OF $$$ ( makes you buy like 5 books) - weekly writing journals - 4 essays only - crying for multiple days cause if you receive a low grade on your assignment your screwed... Take it from these posts, if you arent goodbye at writing, AVOID her. The class is mainly on Holocaust
All i can say this, GOD PLEASE LET ME PASS THIS CLASS. Im sturggling so hard and doing as much as I can roc just pass! Please please please.
She isn't a bad prof but it is her grading that might effects many students like people are saying on here. If you're someone who knows your writing is bad, I suggest you don't take her even if that's an available spot. You're better of taking it next semester or in the season semesters ngl. Her topic is a special topic to, so its difficult.
Signing up for this class is pretty much willingly giving up 3 and a half months of your time to write all about the life of the professor. Sometimes you get 2 days to write entire papers. Full blown research paper? Due in less than two weeks. DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS IT IS NOT WORTH IT AT ALL!!!
The most boring professor thatll rob you by making you buy expensive textbooks she wrote. Her lectures are unorganized, boring, and often useless. Youll be required to read entire sections of her written textbooks. Expect to write 3-5 page essays on her life almost every week. Save your money, GPA, and time by choosing a different Professor.
I wouldnt recommend especially if youre taking more than three classes, she expects you to do a research paper while also doing a group project and reading a book, not to mention she makes you write a journal every day. As if it were your only class. STAY AWAY
I'm really not the type of person who complains shes herself is aight but honestly, this class caused me to fall into depression and I've never stressed this much. She acts like this is the only class you're taking... & will call you to out if you receive a low grade as well as if you do good. MAKE IT MAKE SENSE!!
This woman has become such a burden on my mental health as the semester has gone on. She gives outrageous assignments and gives little time to complete them. For example: Full essays due in 2 days, full research papers with printed sources, bibliography, and a bunch of ridiculous requirements due in 2 weeks. Taking her is the worst choice Ive made
She actually a very chill professor it's just a lot of work that's given as most people are scary. And ngl it does seem like it's out of this world. However, since this is a special topic-based class, you'll learn so much depending on what it's on. Her class also focuses on the holocaust which is interesting. Go to writing centers (essay) it helps
Disclaimer: if ur writing is eh/bad, avoid her. --- I was scared to take her class when I saw these negative reviews but, the class turned out to be interesting. You'll learn a lot from her. Most students don't like it because it's a lot of work (journals entry) you'll get it very class & not much time on essays (which I can lowkey agree on)
Shes a very nice professor but her way of teaching is so old school and boring. She robs u with the books. Not much time given on essays (6 total). The research paper is beyond this world (unnecessary requirements). The final is pretty easy as long as you read the Mercury reader/did your journals! Which you are given every class.
I put my heart and soul into very personal topics in this class. It hurt to see points off the final paper for something so unclear and it resulted in me getting a B+ in the class. I participated quite frequently, sharing VERY personal stories and all that still wasn't "A" material. She's nice, fights for social justice, very tough grader.
I had her for RDG-09. She was among the most boring instructors I've ever had. She'll require you to purchase 2 books that she has written & you'll be forced to write in the textbook then rip out pages & hand them in as homework assignments. Her teaching style made me unhappy and the course was lame. I wouldn't reccommend this professor.
Definitely made me a better writer, but she criticises too many people. At times, she would call out people and expose their horrendous writing like mines when we were in the third week of the semester. Avoid her if you dont want your feelings hurt.
Books were on back order for five weeks she told us not to worry because its not or fault then held us responsible for the work once the books arrived. And her body language is very disrespectful when you dont understand things. I was very uncomfortable going to her for help or even saying i didnt understand something because he attitude.
She give 3 books that students MUST READ In order to pass. One of which, she is the author of. Taking her is not for the weak of heart. Get ready to work very very hard for your grade. Save yourself. Take someone else!
she's that type of professor who'd snatch another professor's class into her schedule. I was originally signed for a different professor a couple of semesters ago, and watchel took over. I cried for countless nights because I heard mean things about her and it's true. She overlooks students essay and wants them to be perfectly perfect
I am currently taking and it is by far the worst class Ive ever taken. She is extremely uptight when it comes to reading the textbook (which whom she is the author of) and gets visibly angry when we cannot keep up. She insists on not posting the assignments on canvas and uses a whiteboard which is barely visible over zoom. My advice, DO NOT TAKE.
Im am disbelieve with how Dr. Wachtel is being rated. I went through 3 different English 2 teachers before I came to her class. She is by far the most interesting and captivating English professor I have had in a long time. Cares about her students and the work that she expects to get done. She challenges you and if your lazy you wont pass.
I would not take this class again simply because it is far too difficult for a standard ENG122 class. I worked ridiculously hard for an A-. Professor Wachtel is a very tough but rewarding grader. I would advise seeking an easier professor, but I do think she deserves more than her current rating.
Dr. Wachtel was a great professor for me to have as my first time back to college life in just about ten years. As long as you show up to class, do your journal entries, and follow her guidelines on her essay assignments there should be no worry of failing. If Dr. Wachtel tough any other classes, I would definitely choose her as a professor again.
Shes a really tough grader. Shell look at little things to cirque which is sort of annoying.
She has required us to purchase her book. That she authored.. for her profit..
I would literally never take this class again. To start off she assigns way too much homework, refuses to put assignments and grades on canvas, and then she dropped the n-word in class. twice.(Keep in mind this is a Jewish woman.)Besides that she takes points off for anything and she is not an approachable teacher. Also she made us buy her books.
Shirley Wachtel will make you buy not only the textbook she's written but also her book The Music Makers is a requirement for this class, so be ready to throw down some money at the college bookstore. She's an extremely tough grader, and very strict with how she wants assignments formatted and submitted.
She is so rude and miserable, extremely unapproachable and just straight up disrespectful. I really advise no one to take this class ever! She doesn't explain what she wants from you. You will learn nothing about literature but only survival and her mom. She is not understanding at all and doesn't take late grades. Seriously stay away!
She is a tough grader and there are many reading and writing assignments but that should be expected from an English II class and the work given is very straight foward if you follow along. The only issue is the lack of grades put in on canvas, if you want to know your grade you will have to calculate it yourself.
I have never written negatively about a professor regardless of how tough, but I just had to this time. Her expectations are ridiculously high for Eng-122. the entire class is about her family, you have to buy multiple books, and spend a lot of money. I used to love writing until this class, and I would never recommend her to anybody.
Made me a better writer, but she is a very tough grader taking points off for anything and assigns a lot of papers and journal entries, she won't put grades or assignments on Canvas either. You'll have to purchase three textbooks, one of which she is the author of. I don't recommend this class to anyone, there are better professors for ENG 122.
She is a very very tough grader, yet does not give very in depth outlines to her prompts. She is going to require you to buy at least 4-5 books to complete this class ($50-$60 worth of books), one of which is her own book. Does not matter if you submit everything on time, you will not get an A, be ready to work everyday for a B.
Dr. Wachtel is a very tough professor, but she has good intentions. I just think her class is more fit for English and philosophy majors. The workload was crazy, it felt unnecessary, and I wanted to focus on my science courses instead. However, if you're up for the work, take her. She's an amazing person.
this class is ridiculous. she had us do an essay on the first day of class THAT WAS GRADED!! she makes you buy a lot of books and a nyt subscription. its a lot of work and fast paced. if you are taking 2 classes its fine but otherwise its just too much. the work isn't hard its just a lot. she will also call on u randomly to answer questions.
This has been the toughest profesor I had in my whole academic career, she makes you buy her own books and gives you a lot of work I had a hard time balancing between clas
I took this class during Spring 2022. I feel like this class would have been a bit more bearable if I took it a bit later in the day. She made our class do a lot of journal assignments and was tough on grading them. She is somewhat helpful with assignments, but doesn't really respond to emails.
wouldn't take this class.. this teacher does not know how to grade. she thinks she's with PHD students. also she doesn't give A's; she doesn't like to be corrected because she thinks she the smartest in the class. she also makes you buy her $50 book that she wrote thats copied and pasted from other books.
Never would recommend this teacher to my biggest enemy I thought I was a PHD student in this class when it was my first year. Teacher dosen't know how to grade
I like her book but not her (she makes you buy her 50 dollar book!) She is such a terrible teacher and is no help what so ever. Its like she doesn't even want you to pass her class. She had it out for me. She made someone cry.
.
Where do I begin? she killed my passion for writing, makes you buy her books that are like $45-$50 dollars worth, not a single student got an A, grades were never posted, very tough on attendance being 5 minutes late counts as half an absence get another one and you're being marked absent. Genuinely seems like she loves to see her students suffer.
Tough grader, lots of work - but Unstuck AI and the free textbook helped me manage the workload. Attendance is mandatory, but engaging with the material made it worthwhile.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
95%
Textbook Required
0%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.71 avg changeRatings by Course
CHILDLIT
5.0
(1)ENG101
4.0
(2)RDG01
4.0
(1)ENG212
3.3
(4)RDG011
3.1
(10)Difficulty by Course
CHILDSLIT
5.0
ENG122H
4.3
ENG122
4.0
ENG101
4.0
ENG121
4.0