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Best teacher I ever had

Smartest teacher at Harper. Better than teachers I had at Northwestern.

Really good teacher, a little kooky (probably because he's an acting teach as well) but it makes his class fun and easier. He's very helpful!

He is a kickass acting teacher. If you want to learn acting, he is the one to take. Best thing in the acting department. The other teacher is a hysterical egomaniac. Ballantyne is a great actor - learn from the best.

Todd Rocks---I had him in a learning community with Ferguson&Johnson. The weird thing is when I see him around in the hallways he seems extremely preoccupied---like he forgot who I was.

very nice easy grader! 5 speeches

I am a returning adult student in my first semester at Harper. Used to go to Loyola University. Got my first degree there. This guy rivals any teacher at Loyola - in fact, he is better than most. He is really intelligent, and is supportive and interested in students. Get him before his class fills.

Easiest class i have had a Harper. Show up do your speeches and pass simple as that. Most of my speeches were shorter than required and still got a "B" in the class. Awsome teacher.

He was a great teacher. Likes to help and is easy to get along with. best teacher i have had at harper

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Best speech teacher i say, very helpful just go up to him ask him to help you with your speech. Got an A in the class and i suck at public speaking take him

Such an easy class. I did horrible on the 2 tests i took and i went from almost a D to a B on one and an A on the other! He is very generous when curving the tests. As for the speeches, he grades very fair. He explains exactlly what he wants to see for the speeches and if you put some key points in ur speeches then the A is a given.VERY EASY CLASS

Mr. Ballantyne is an asset to the department and to Harper...he genuinely cares and will more than meet you halfway if you show the effort. A very fair, likable and inspiring teacher across the board.

Mr. Ballantyne is an asset to the department and to Harper...he genuinely cares and will more than meet you halfway if you show the effort. A very fair, likable and inspiring teacher across the board. I had Todd for SPE212 back in 1995 and it appears that time has spoken for his value to the college community.

I am going to graduate this place this month, and held off on SPE 101 as long as I could. Mr. B is the best teacher I have had at the college. He is very organized, thorough, kind, and supportive to students. He is great - take this guy if you dread taking SPE 101 like I did.

this guy knows what he is doing. he is fair and will help you if you just ask! He is also very clear.

IF YOU LISTEN TO HIM, YOU WILL DO VERY WELL IN THE CLASS, EVEN IF YOU DON'T FEEL GOOD ABOUT TALKING IN PUBLIC. HE KNOWS HIS STUFF, IS A GOOD LECTURER, AND IS INTELLIGENT AND SUPPORTIVE AND INTERESTING. ONE OF THE BEST TEACHERS AT HARPER.

Mr. Ballantyne's passion and committment to his students is unparalleled. He is one of the most genuine professors I have had.

Greatest teach ever worked with. Helps you pick speeches you know a lot about. Will work with you if you are having trouble. More of a friend than a teacher. Let me do speeches on different categories of the same subject because I knew most about it. Take the class and get an A.

Great teacher to take over the summer. Very helpful to students and gives you examples of exactly what he wants; Tests are fairly easy as well, as long as you read the chapters; Highly recommended!!

Wonderful, supportive prof who makes the topic interesting and he knows and connects with us. He is knowledgable and a great speaker so I learn by watching him in class. I am doing well even though I am scared of public speaking. He will do his best for you so if you're scared, take him for your speech class.

Excellent teacher. I hate public speaking but he made it more comfortable for me. Take the tests and make an effort in the class and you will get an A.

Teacher is not the most favorable teacher but he does let you know what is needed and how to find it, not the best lecturer

I didn't expect to like the class but I did. He is a good prof.

He is an excellent lecturer and helps me feel more confident in myself in giving public speeches. I recommend him to anyone, but esp if you are a nervous speaker like me.

I rec. to take him for SPeech; he is fun and easy going and takes care of you. A nice prof and very smart.

Good teacher to the point. Definetly take this class professor Ballatyne is very helpful and kind of funny!

Mr. B is a fantastic teacher. Take him--you will actually learn something. 4 tests. 5 speeches

Great class! Its scary @ first bc it's SPEECH but once its all over its not that bad, its actually pretty fun. Todds really nice, I was late ALL the time & he says that if ur late more than 3 times, he takes off 3 letter grades off ur final grade. I would've failed but since I was nice & did fairly well on the speeches I got a B+! GYEEAH! Hes cool!

great teacher, really helpful. This is an easy class and a great teacher.

Very easy and nice. If you do the work you will do well. I actually got a perfect on one speech (he said it was the first in 7 years). Try not to take the speeches "too" seriously, try to have fun and he'll respond. A+

I've taken SPeech classes from four different professors in the department of sppeech. Ballantine is the best. you will learn and have fun at the same time. 5 speeches. its not a blow off though.

He actually gets you to think about your speeches before you give them. His critques are really helpful. One of my favorite profs.

great guy! very nice and helpful.

Very good teacher! Very nice and helpful. Speeches aren't too bad (5-6). Stay for the test review sessions...they WILL help (he basically gives you the test). Make sure you get this guy...I HIGHLY recommend him!

Mr. Ballantine is extraordinarily intelligent, and has passion for what he teaches. He makes class fun and he has alot of funny stories to tell. If you want a real education in how to give a speech---take him.

Brilliant teacher and very passionate about his profession. Very fair in grading but you have to apply yourself to get the A. He's excellent with instruction and doesn't put any negative pressure on you during the time you're giving your speech. If you're nervous about public speaking, take him and you'll get over the fears you may have.

Awesome teacher. Apply yourself and you have an A. He's a very funny and passionate guy. Great stories and wants you to participate. I disliked giving speeches before taking his class, but he made it enjoyable and pleasant to speak in front of the class. Only 4-5 tests and very little homework. If you have to take Speech 101, take Todd Ballantyne.

The sweetest teacher ive EVER had!! Just show interest in his class and dont disrespect him and her will love you. I received nothing lower than a 90% on all my speeches, simply from following his directions. Hes also hilarious!! This is a class i will always remember because the atmosphere was great. TAKE HIM!

he was awesome i took a speech class at Eastern Illinois and totally failed it and i hated giving speeches but after i took his class i love getting up n front of a class and giving a speech/presenting. his class helps you feel more relaxed about speech giving

He's great! Smart, fun to listen to, and helps you be a better speaker.

He's a great teacher, and he helps you out if you are struggling with your speech. He's a really nice guy as well and makes the class fun. I hated giving speeches and now I have fun giving them thanks to him! Take him for sure :)

Simple class, put some effort into improving what he tells you to improve and you have an A. Great instructor, he really makes you feel comfortable and has a passion for the subject. Toward the end of the semester the lectures can get really boring and may seem like common sense material. I would recommend this instructor to my friends.

Great teacher! About 4 tests and 5 speeches. He gives you great feedback and if you listen to his critiques you will do amazing! Just work on what he tells you and the grade you want, you can get. RECCOMMENED to anyone taking speech. I was so nervous to take this class and now I love getting up there! Awesome awesome awesome!

Kind, friendly, helpful, approachable, just a great teacher. He's a fair grader who offers incredibly useful critique. Take him if you can.

Mr.Ballantyne is a teacher who truly loves what he does-LOVES speech and is very enthusiastic about it. He is a easy grader when you give your speech, just because it is the biggest fear of Americans. He is very easy to talk to. Attendance is a must. Tests are very easy, common sense, although some of the T or F are difficult. TAKE HIM !!!!!!!!

TAKE THIS PROFESSOR! He is the best! He is incredibly helpful, and he grades you against yourself, so if you're not the greatest speaker, he wont hold it against you. He gives you great info that WILL help you get better if you listen to it.

He is a great teacher very kind and helpful: take him you will pass for sure easy class and very interesting!!!!!!!!!

I did NOT want to take this class but I am so glad I did. He is an amazing professor and made me love writing and giving speeches. His feedback is amazing and he is an incredibly fair grader. Show up to class and read the handbook before the exams, and you'll get an A.

Very good teacher! He is very fair in his grading and will give you both positive aspects of your speech and places for improvement. If you take a 101 class he will judge you on 101 standards. Very knowledge and loves what he does. People dread speech but there's no need to with Mr. B!

Take him! he is such a nice guy, and really easy to talk to and talk in front of! I hate giving speeches, but I could not think of a better teacher to have to give them in front of! If you need help, he is extremely helpful. If you follow his instructions, which is easy to do, he is an easy grader. Makes speech not scary!

HE IS A GREAT TEACHER! You should take him he is an easy grader and easy to talk to .. Also help you to find out the topics for the speech if you are stuck on which topic to talk on. His tests are also easy. most of the test are from his notes.Also it is easy to talk in front of. I have took this teacher! he is the BEST. Try to take him for speech.

He si wonderful teacher, kind and very smart at what he does. Take him - youwont b e sorry.

Such an excellent teacher. Really tries to relate the material to his class as much as possible. No homework in this class other than the speeches themself as well as studying for quizzes/tests. Try not to show up late and try to actually show up, it's worth it. Great teacher.

Todd is a well-versed professor in the field. He has been a professor in this field for 20+ years. In 101, there are four major speeches and his grading fits with the level of 101 speeches. There are four tests in the semester, comprising of true/false and multiple choice. Todd wants his students to succeed! Not an "easy A" class, but a good one!

Wonderful teacher. Explains every concept clearly and in depth. Can always be found when you are facing writer's block.

As an adult student I'm picky about my education as I am paying for it myself - not only with my money but my time. Mr. B was worth every moment (and penny). Not only did I learn how to be a better speaker - but I learned all kinds of valuable things about speech communication. He is wonderful and the best teacher at Harper.

Mr. B was a really good teacher that taught me a lot about speaking. Class is interesting and generally pretty short, plus the tests are pretty simple and only take about ten minutes. Easy A as long as you show up and absorb his information. If you have to take speech, then take his class.

i was absolutely pertrified and avoided this class but when i took it I was suprised by hwo much there was to learn. It was a great class. He is a great teacher.

Great teacher. He helped me with picking several topics for my speeches. Even helped me outline my speeches. He is a very understanding teacher and if you have a family crisis or any of that he will let you do your speech a different day.

I dont like to speak in front of people but this teacher made it fun somehow. It wasnot easy but he's got standards and if you follow them you'll do well I did and am very happy i took this guy. also feel more organised with my outlines nad writing.

Totally made me more comfortable speaking in front of people. His tests are so easy if you pay attention and read the book.

I waited until the end to take speech...I dreaded it. But it was a fun class and I wound up with an A! Mr. B is student focused, thoughtful and a scholar. intelligent and funny. Also got to kno wus and likes what he is doing. Intresting and I would recommend.

Easy class. Mr. B just wants you to be there, so just go, he's a good guy, goofy, but a good guy. His tests are easy, just think about the questions, they'e common sense. Just somewhat try, somewhat try and the speeches, meet the required time length and you'll get a good grade for sure. Mr. B. will definitely make you a better speaker by the end.

Liked the summer class a lot. He's a good guy. Striaghtforwrd and laid back. Not goofy but has a good sense of humor. Likes working with us you can tell! Recomend him.

Mr. B is one of my favorite profs at Harper. He's smart, fair, kind, funny, and likes teaching and likes us students. But, you have to do your work. You cant just hitnk this is high school speech class because its not - and we pay for college so it should be college level. He's great - take him and you wont regrittit

Great teacher! Very helpful if you have any questions. Very nice about giving critiques. I would recommend!

best teacher ever! made speech not scary at all! he made class very fun and comfortable for all.

He's really nice and approachable, I asked him many times about my speech for my other classes and he's willing to help you. The exams were easy.

He's very nice and approachable. He says you need the book, but his power points are based from the book so don't bother buying it. I never read the book, let alone studied for tests and still got an A. He really made me a lot more comfortable speaking in front of people.

Gives individual feedback to everyone after every speech. Makes it really clear what you're good at or need to work on. Has a fun sense of humor and really cares about the topic and about your individual success. If I took speech again, I wouldn't even hesitate - I'd choose Mr. B without a doubt! Buy handbook, but I got an A wo using purple book.

This teacher is truly charismatic about speech and getting the students interested in the subject of Speech. I definitely recommend him as a teacher.

Professor Ballantyne was a great first speech teacher to have. Class was mostly lecture preparing you for speeches, then giving speeches, and there were 4 tests for the semester on lecture and the book. Since class was all lecture it was not fun, but is speech class fun? No. You have to show up, pay attention, and try hard and your best on speechs

Mr. B. is the best speech professor anywhere. I HATE public speaking, but Mr. B. made us feel comfortable and laid back. He grades on improvement, not by expectation, meaning if you do poorly on one speech, but try harder and do better on the next one, he will take that improvement into account and boost your grade. He just wants to see you try :)

I have extreme anxiety when it come to talking in front of people and it wasn't easy but Mr. B is a very generous grader and just wants you to do your best. If someone with anxiety like me can pass this class with an A than anyone can. Take speech with Mr. B.

Great Professor! Really helped me out with every little detail of my speech and didn't seem to rest until we both knew it was the best I could do. Very great Professor and a very great man.

Mr. B is very enthusiastic about speech, he loves what he does and it shows. Hes very easy to talk to, and will give you feedback on his thoughts of your speech. He creates a comfortable environment in his classroom so when you go up to speak it isnt scary. You must show up to his class or you wont pass, he keeps track of attendance.

Mr. Ballantyne is an amazing teacher. You are allowed to miss six classes without it effecting your grade. There are 4 to 5 speeches. As long as you keep improving and meet the required time you'll get an A or B. Just do not miss the day of your speech because you can NOT make it up, you will receive a zero. VERY kind and caring. Wants you to pass!

Mr. B is a very good speech professor. He understands most of his students hate public speaking but he just wants you to do your best. Some of his lectures are painfully boring but listening to someone talk about speaking tactics isn't fun anywhere. Show up for your speeches on time and you'll do fine!

Overall great teacher! Make sure to read the book and do the study guides before each test, the tests get harder and harder.

Took SPE at my home place. Almost passed but no luck. Had to repeat it at Harper thought the course would be a joke. Wow I was wrong! Professor B is the dude to take. Prof B is dope. He makes you learn how to speak publically and then you grow confidence and stuff. Lot of hands on in front of everyone. Be prepared. You will learn a ton from him!

He generously grades speeches even if they are bad and understands public speaking is hard. He wants you to succeed and was my first professor in college to see good in me. The tests are easy as long as you read the book. I've learned so much in this class so if you take SPE101 be sure to take him!! Ask about extra credit I got 25 points added!

Really good professor. He cares about his students and always wants them to improve. He knows everyone fears of public speaking but he makes the class a friendly environment. Tests are easy. Never opened the purple book. I used the white one to help me with our speech outlines. Very kind. You have 6 free absence passes. If you go over, you fail.

He makes you feel at ease and his grading method is clear and precise. He is also very approachable. I highly recommend him if you have never taken speech and super nervous about it.

Very approachable professor. Understands that public speaking can be nervous to many, so he isn't harsh when he gives criticism. His grading is easy to understand. Overall, practice your speeches ahead of time so that you'll be in a good spot. There are a few exams as well, so you do have to read some chapters if you want to do well on those.

I feel like I actually had to work for the A in this class for both the exams and the speech. So if you are taking a lot of classes and you want an easy A for speech, I suggest you take this class over the summer because you are required to work hard for the A. Also, you have to practice for the speech to get a good grade as well as read the book.

Im TERRIFIED of public speaking and after this class i cannot say I am less so, but Mr.B is a caring prof who really wants you to do well! The comments saying to just try aren't wrong, he's an easy grader and I should have gotten a B cause of my exam scores but ended up with an A anyways? Also happened to a friend of mine. Just try and you'll pass.

Communications majors this is the one to take! You will learn so much. He is highly skilled and really cares about making you a better speaker. Best instructor hands down.

One of the best professors I have ever had. He gives good feedback, has an upbeat personality, and will help you out with any difficulties. He makes his lectures interesting and puts you at ease when presenting a speech, which especially helps for the anxious. His study guides for tests are terrific, and I highly recommend him!

This is a great class to take for people with no previous experience. He will help you get through every speech. Tests are so easy, as long as you put in effort and show up, youll be fine

He is by far my favorite teacher at this school. He may seem cold at first but he is so caring and understanding with each student. As long as you put in the effort you can pass with an easy A.