Thomas Hillenbrand - Metropolitan Community College-Longview, Lee's Summit, MO

Professor: Thomas Hillenbrand

Department: English

College: Metropolitan Community College-Longview, Lee's Summit, MO

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENGL102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Mr. Hillenbrand was without a doubt the best teacher I've ever had. Don't get me wrong, nothing about his class is easy, and it will not be the A you're used to getting. But with hard work, determination, and willingness to question everything (your beliefs, your standards, even Mr. Hillenbrand himself) you will succeed. I have never learned more.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENG102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I was told English 102 was easy... I guess it depends on the teacher. I once missed an assignment, and he threw me out of class. Not the nicest guy in the world, and he's 72, so he can't hear anything you say; you practically have to yell at him. I would NOT recommend this teacher for 102. Period.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENG102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This teacher is fantastic! (if you know how to read and write, not to mention are on a somewhat high (higher than God) intelligence level)Be prepared to scamper into the corner when he starts calling on people, or sit in front and be DOOMED! Don't be late to class,because you will miss the quiz and be questioned (which is funny for the rest of us.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENG102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Very difficult class, I use to sweat every time he ask me a question yet I was just thinking for one answer that would please him. But as the course went on I learned that he wanted me to think for myself and let my "UNCONSCIOUS" side out, I love this teacher very helpful, even though I work really hard I ended up dropping,not to hurt my GPA.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENGL102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He was very condescending and refused to hear any opinions different from his own. He expected perfect assignments, yet gave very little definition for what he was actually looking for. I have experienced "hard" professors at this school & enjoyed them, but he is not one of them. He is not there to educate, he is there to ridicule.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENG102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Bar none, the best teacher I've ever had. Yes, he will make you work for your grade; is willing to help those who help themselves. Do college-level work, and you can earn an A without a problem in this class.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENG102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

My name is Terry Myers. I took his class in '96, he is amazing as a teacher. He forces you to learn to think critically, evident from the comments about his fervor and demeanor. At times, he appeared to be overbearing and cynical, but you wanted to learn or not. I still have the texts I used in his class. I also have his copy of Walden Pond.:)

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENGL102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Not a class for the typical community college student. He expects you to spend the time necessary to make a good paper. Was very willing to discuss questions. Don't enroll if you are easily offended, and don't state any opinions unless you are fully prepared to back it up. My favorite teacher of my college career.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENG102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Quite demanding, but if you engage in conversation and make an effort then it isn't so bad. He just doesn't want all community college students to end up like idiots, which the majority of the people in my class were. He is highly opinionated, it doesn't mean he's talking down to you. He's funny if you enjoy dry humor. Ask lots of questions.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENGL102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

With all due respect, this is one of the worse teachers I have ever encountered. He is a pompus ass and allows his political views to interfere with his grading process. Has the patience of a crackhead needing a fix. Overall, a waste of my tuition dollars. I have complained to the department, yet they've done nothing about it.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENG102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Very pompous. He likes to call on students that he knows won't know the answer and embarrass them in class. Full of himself. Not very helpful.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENGL102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He is not the worst instructor I have ever had, but he is probably the hardest to please. Consider this class very time consuming when planning your schedule if you dare take him, and if you are used to an A realize that it is nearly impossible in his class, although with hard work I earned one, so they are not unheard of. He will challenge you.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENG102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

You will be questioned for being late, but he will miss your personal conference appointment and not want a word about it. He is a hypocrite. Grades very hard. There is a reading assignment and a quiz every day. He wants questions but then if he doesn't like the question will embarrass you for asking. "A" student and barely passed. DON'T TAKE HIM!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENGL102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

he tries to be a philosopher. he will make you think about questions you've asked and make sure that you account for everything you say. he demands alot more than other english 102 teachers. i took this class twice and he was much harder. the class started with 30+ people and now there are less than 10, and most of them wont pass either.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENG102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He is impossible to please. We started with almost 30 people in the class and ended with 6. I heard that his other 102 class was the same way. He answers every question you have with anoter question. I was always confused and was never sure what he expected. I have always made A's in every class and ended up with a C in this one.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENGL102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Very different from other classes. Student's success depends solely of effort and desire to pick his brain for information. ASK QUESTIONS!!! Discuss topics, read ahead, take on complicated or difficult topics, push yourself, pick his brain and don't act like child. Mostly open to personal argumentative papers, good grammar needed.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENG102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Hardest teacher I had all semester, papers were long and difficult. I barely passed with a C, you must try hard to pass this course. Sometimes his reasoning is confusing and he turns into a philosopher. My class went from 20 something to 9 in a few short weeks.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENG102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

All I can say; is if you're not the teachers pet than you won't get a good grade. Quiz almost everyday, very hard on grading, writing not readable. Very mean man, if you volunteer you will be put-down, so don't bother. DO NOT TAKE THIS TEACHER; I WOULD EVEN POSTPONE TO A DIFFERENT SEMESTER IF NO ONE ELSE IS AVAILABLE.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENGL102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Very interesting instuctor! Although he makes inappropriate comments, he's only joking. Pretty picky when it comes to papers ( won't let you write on popular topics). Discussions are great. I think the problem is students don't want to be engaged and would rather just get a grade and go. If you're willing to think, then this is the class for you.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENG102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Amazing! He is my all time favorite English teacher. His discussions were interesting and well put together. If you ever have any questions he will spend forever answering them after class. He always meets with every student individually after their papers or rough drafts if needed. Bring your brain to class. Lazy and dumb people beware! Loved him!