David Sheftman - Cabrillo College, Aptos, CA

Professor: David Sheftman

Department: English

College: Cabrillo College, Aptos, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENG1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He will make you a better writer if you put the work in. He gives awesome feedback on rough drafts and gives you points for turning in a rough. If you keep in touch with him after the class is over he will give you feedback on other papers! He's very helpful and caring.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENGL1A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

This was one of the toughest classes I've ever taken. Having said that, I learned so much with Sheftman, honing in my writing skills and feeling quite confident in myself as an English student by the end of the semester. It's not a breeze, but it's fun and he's hilarious sometimes, guiding the class with the pure love of English.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENG2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I enjoyed David's class. I took a critical thinking class that pushed me to do so in my writing. David is a tough grader, and pushes you to get the best work in your essays, and is helpful with questions about the readings assigned. I wouldn't opt for this if you're looking for an easy A.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENGL2
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Sheftman has great passion and enthusiasm for English. I loved his class because he spent a long time giving me feedback on my writing, he was always accessible via email to answer questions, and he made his class fun. His essay prompts give you a lot of freedom and require in-depth research. I would recommend this class!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENG1A
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Syllabus is long, mostly disclaimers, expectations and structure of the class. A research paper assignment is due in 4 parts; all materials are available for free, great for low income students. Quizzes focus on grammar and comprehension, make sure you study beforehand. Due dates are absolute. Make the effort, you will become a better writer.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: 85066
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The subject matter provided is culturally dynamic. The grading is appropriate and helpful, feedback is always constructional. The online 2 course was brilliantly set up. Organized plan, helpful study guide and great paper topics made this fun.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: 85029
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I did not like this class or find it helpful at all. I don't think he's a good teacher. He doesn't teach he excepts you to know things already and if you don't its a problem of you. I felt like i tried so hard but i could never live up to his expectations. He also is not very respectful to his students.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: 85029
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I HATE THIS TEACHER and i am not one to hate teachers. i am an A student and i tend to be that nerd that enjoys teachers lectures and completing assignments. But this is the worst teacher I have ever had. He does not respect his students, and is openly rude to students he does not like and will yell at them. His assignments also suck ect.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENG1A
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I honestly wished I would've read this before taking his class. I signed up for his class last minute due to not being able to get into another class, & his class was the only class that fit my schedule. He was a very hard/harsh grader, even when I did go get help from the writing center. I ended up just dropping the class.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENGLISH2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I learned so much in this surprisingly useful online class. David replies promptly to all inquiries and gives detailed feedback on assignments and discussion posts. Directions are clear and accurate, but long-winded. Group project was difficult, but David accounted for MIA team members and graded fairly. Time-consuming class; don't get behind.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENGLISH1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Great teacher. If you want to learn some good tools for writing professor Sheftman is great at giving students tools. I was a little shocked at some of the reports of Sheftman. He was clear about expectations and due dates. I felt comfortable to speak and learn freely. It is hard to get an A but he was fair about my grade. I recommend him.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENGLISH2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This course is ok, but I don't think he's for everyone. I got As on every paper and he provided throughout and helpful feedback. His online site is confusing, I missed a few quizzes because it's so vague. He accepts late work sometimes which is nice. I would say if you're not really passionate about English avoid this teacher.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENG2
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

He isn't helpful. You learn more from the books you read than the technical essays he bitterly scores.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENGL2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Must be a super ENGLISH Major to be able to keep up with his daily requests that are demanding. First week felt I was already getting ready for a Midterm exam. Will create anxiety with so much information thrown at you even before the course starts. I would not recommend this course if you aren't a English Major.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENGL2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher! If you want an "A" you must work for it. His class is challenging, but you will learn a lot. The textbooks are not easy to read but what you expect from an Critical thinking English class. Be prepared and don't try to BS on your papers because he reads and grades students' assignment thoroughly like no other teacher I ever had.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENGL2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I've always gotten an A in English classes, but man did I struggle with his class. The books he makes you read are incredibly boring and one of them is super hard to read. It's hard to know exactly what he expects from your essays and having the class online doesn't help. Choose a different teacher on campus.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENGLISH1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Learned nothing new. stressed the entire semester.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENGL1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He is a terrible teacher and only grades your papers from a conservative republican point of view. We had a class of 35 and by the end there were 7. He was just vulgar and awful with little class or respect for his students. If you want an A in this class, you have to sacrifice the quality of your work for the opinions of a close minded man.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENGL1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He has a “no textbook” or notetaking approach. This would work if he didn't gloss over critical material and force students to use HIS poor in-class notes. My suggestion to Mr. Sheftman would be for him to take the time to compose a textbook of his own to give out to students so that they have an accurate and understandable reference source to use.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENG2
• 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:

Sheftman is not a gregarious person, but he grades papers more thoroughly and promptly than any instructor I have ever had. Taking this class will improve your technical writing skills, unequivocally. Getting an A was hard work, something a lot of students dislike, so take an easier teacher if you struggle with reading and writing. Be challenged.