Kirstin Zona - Illinois State University, Normal, IL

Professor: Kirstin Zona

Department: English

College: Illinois State University, Normal, IL

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENG100
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Kirstin is by far my favorite professor! Her ENG 100 class has been my favorite, and I am sad that it is ending. Our grade is based on weekly response papers, class discussion participation, and a group project. She is not a tough grader, and is very understanding when conflicts arise. She does not believe in tests, which I LOVE! She is the best

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENG125
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Currently finishing up the semester, so I have not received my final grade yet. I must say, this class is worth the work. As well, it is very interesting! Professor Zona is one of the best professors I have had so far during college and her teaching style is much appreciated.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENG125
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

There is a lot of reading and decent amount of writing but it is easy to get through because all of the material is interesting. Class always went by fast because discussion is intriguing and entertaining. Professor Zona is very passionate about her work and cares about what everyone has to say.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENG227
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This class was supposed to be an intro to creative writing as a whole. Instead it became about how to improve yourself by becoming a vegan. We weren't allowed to write anything but poetry and were subjected to her vegan propaganda. She has her head in the clouds and will constantly remind you that she is vegan in case you forget (or she forgets)

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENG227
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The class was difficult because it felt more like a self-help class than creative writing. Honestly, while I appreciated it, it didn't help my writing. However, she is good at at least trying to understand your argument in a discussion and understand what you're trying to say. But her assignments are write 20 pages in 2 days. Not practical.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POETRY247
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Okay. So I understand why she is having us do things COMPLETELY unrelated to poetry to help us in the long run. I think she is very passionate in what she does. I do not, however, enjoy the confrontational nature she has. If you don't share her POV, she will say you're wrong and argue. Uncomfortable classes and unclear assignments.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENG227
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

When I first started this class I HATED it. There's a ton of work and sometimes her expectations were unclear. She truly does care about her students though and is extremely passionate about what she does. She's really sweet and is always willing to help. If you have no interesting in poetrycreative writing I wouldn't take the course.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: 227
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She's very passionate however it's can get really annoying to have her. She get really judgemental. Make sure you don't have class right after hers as you will be running late because you will end up having to rush to write the assignment down and ask her at least twice for clarification. Long assignments to do in two days. No tests.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENG284
• 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:

Dr. Kirstin Zona is one of the greatest professors at Illinois State. She has certainly shown the class to reach outside our minds and grasp something new. Our class became more of a family rather than just a boring classroom, thanks to her. I would recommend her to every single student in the English department. Favorite course I've ever taken.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENG284
• 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:

Prof. Zona is very intelligent and kind. She is very well spoken; her lectures are lengthy, but most of the time interesting. The poems she chooses for the course are very complex and hard to understand, but class discussions are very helpful! She creates a very relaxing atmosphere. Although challenging, I highly recommend this course!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENGLISH
• 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:

She is an extremely intelligent teacher. She is exceedingly well-spoken and she has a bright and infectious personality. Her lectures do seem lengthy where open discussion is perhaps better served; but, her passion is evident and it makes the subject more affecting. She assigns a lot of hard work, but it is rewarding. A very nice person.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENG227
• 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:

I am no creative writer, by any means. But, taking this course with Prof. Zona has been a great experience. She has a lot of assignments but they all have a purpose. She has great advice when it comes to writing anything. She really cares about and is genuinely interested in the work of all her students. Great Prof!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENG227
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I didn't like poetry before I took this class, but now I'm big into it. As long as you have an open mind, she can really do wonders for your writing. Participation ranks pretty high with her, so if you ever have anything to say, just say it. She's really chill and accommodating. She'll teach you a lot if you let her.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENG227
• 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:

She is insightful and entertaining! She has great stories to tell and interacts well with students. The poetry portion of the class was difficult but enlightening.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENG247
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Extremely knowledgeable, extremely helpful and a great taste in poets. Also, a chili pepper HOT poetess, if there ever was one!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENG100
• 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:

I loved her class. It was not easy but she is great at answering questions.

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Not a bad teacher, but certainly not great. Her assessment of your work will have a lot to do with how she feels about you as a person. If you are in a fraternity, be warned, you'll find her abrasive. Fun class usually, backhanded compliments galore. If you arent a fan of poetry DO NOT take her class.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENG219
• 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:

a bit difficult to understand sometimes, but interesting and funny.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENG5000
• 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:

Kirstin was fantastic. Her classes are not easy...but that's the best part. She challenges her students to think and struggle with poetry. But at the same time she loves beauty and honesty, encourages student discussion and discovery, and personally connects with her students. Not to mention the woman is gorgeous AND a poet in her own right.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: END100
• 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:

LOVED her as a teacher. She is very nice and very understanding. She is a rather tough grader, but it's TOTALLY worth it. My writing has improved so much because of her grading. Fun reading selections too, kinda random and off the wall, but I enjoyed 9 out of 10 of them