Elena Catoiu - Joliet Junior College, Joliet, IL

Professor: Elena Catoiu

Department: Mathematics

College: Joliet Junior College, Joliet, IL

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MATH171
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Her class really stretched me academically. She expects a lot from her students, so be prepared to work hard. Lots of one or two question take home quizzes. Do the homework and youll pass the class. Its hard to understand her at first, but you get used to it a few weeks in. She comes off intimidating, but shes truly nice. Would take again!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MATH098
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

this woman is actually crazy. i visited her during office hours and she pretty much told me I was a lazy student which is far from the truth considering i went to the tutoring center almost every single day. Dont take her even if youre desperate. Ive never met someone so mean in my life before

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MATH138
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This was an online class so I cant speak on her teaching and student interaction, but I can say that her class was laid out pretty well, with ample amount of time for each section. She even reopened earlier HW so you could improve your score late in the semester. Although, she did include an entire 2 extra units that arent even in math 138.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MATH098
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Just took her online class. Straight forward. Accessible out of class. 5 units test, quiz, and about 8 sections of homework each.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MATH138060
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Truly atrocious. By far the worst teacher I have ever had in my life. Heavy accent, intolerant to student questions, demeaning attitude, unclear grading criteria, running over time on lectures, very easily angered, insensitive to student needs, the list goes on. Even if you are desperate, please don't take this class. Run away as fast as you can!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MATH138
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Hard to understand. Not great at teaching. Bad attitude. Very passionate about math

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MATH138
• Grade Received: F
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Worst teacher ever! I give her an F! Honestly I can't describe how awful this teacher teaches students. I just can't figure out a better teacher to use and to understand how this class should be taken without someone who doesn't care or doesn't bother to answer a question on a problem when we get stuck on a situation for math.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MATH138060
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She literally gets mad when you ask her a question

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MATH138
• 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:

Elena is the worst professor I've come across. I've never once struggled with math, but she made it impossible. She was degrading to anyone who asked questions and would elaborate on nothing but their "stupidity". Expected students to have all of the answers for material two chapters ahead. Dropped her.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MATH138
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Arbitrarily altering homework due dates with little notice. Taking points off of tests for not providing information that wasn't asked for. Running consistently over time on lectures. Rushing through material without asking for feedback, while speaking with a thick accent. Expect these things from her. At least the study guides are good.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MATH138
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I absolutely loved Mrs. Catoiu. Her notes are very thorough and easy to understand. All of our homework assignments are on MyMathLab and they are due at the end of the semester. Her reviews are VERY helpful on the exams. The book is only necessary if you want to do the recommended problems she gives you for each chapter (not are not due).

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MATH138060
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I have never met someone that makes me so infuriated. She will make the online homework due on random dates (usually due day of final) if she feels people are not doing it, days like Saturdays or Mondays all without telling you. To sum up my feeling of her let me just say this, we started with 30 students and ended with about 10. DO NOT TAKE HER!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MATH138
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I'm not that great in math, but I will never take her again! At first, she was really hard to understand, but it got better over time. You cant ask many questions while she's giving a lecture, she goes over the time limit, and she tells you everything is BASIC algebra. She's nice 1 on 1 but she's different in class. A lot of people dropped her.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: 138
• 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:

Grade is only consisted of 4 test, and there are maybe like one or two quizzes. Her ancient ( for me) was hard to understand. She teaches at a fast pace, and get irra and upset when you ask her questions. The study guide is not helpful for the test and there is a ton of homework on my math lab, and book work is not graded at all. bad experience

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MATH138
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

So.. she's not a bad teacher. You need to remember your high school algebra -- sometimes I don't, but I roll with it -- THAT'S when she gets frustrated with people's questions. She won't give you a hard time when you have a question about new material. Math isn't easy, but she gives great examples in the notes and a study guide for her exams.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: 139
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Elena Catoiu is an excellent professor. She thoroughly explains all the material. Homework is graded on mymathlab (annoying but useful for study) She gives a study guide (with answers) for every test. The tests are almost exactly like the study guides so if you don't pass with at least a C, only you are to blame. Just put in a little effort .

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: 138
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Basically the worst teacher I have ever had. She doesn't explain anything in detail and when students ask questions she is extremely rude. She doesn't answer e-mails because she claims she doesn't have to. Her testing system is a joke. Don't take anything she teaches. Ever. Even as a last resort.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: 138
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

WARNING: I do not recommend this teacher to any one who struggles with math. This professor gets really frustrated when students ask questions and does not reply to emails. I would be scared to ask questions in class, observing the way she'd reply to other students so I would email her and nothing . Only grades off 5 tests. You've been warned.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: 138
• Grade Received: D-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Horrible teacher, gets mad when you don't answer a question in five seconds. Teaches too fast for anyone to comprehend. Test are timed so you never get enough time to even finish. If you're okay with getting a D on every test then take her. She is rude and the homework is ridiculous.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MATH139
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Do not take her if you are not willing to put your 150% into the class. I dropped out of the class before it would show on my transcript that I failed. I have always done above and beyond in Math until Ms. Catiou. All of the homework is online, if you are having trouble you NEED to seek for help. Like I said, don't take if you won't be dedicated.