Stephen Lafer - University of Nevada - Reno, Reno, NV

Professor: Stephen Lafer

Department: Education

College: University of Nevada - Reno, Reno, NV

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CTL620
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Lafer was one of the most inspirational & challenging professors I have ever had. He is passionate about education and helped me see how important education is to our society and human kind. He assisted me in becoming a better critical thinker and inspired me to not just sit back while bad things happen. He also helped me become a better writer

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: EDU 110
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class does not talk about anything that has anything to do with education. We have just know started about how we need to reform the college of education here. I went to him to ask to clarify his comments on my paper and he was an hour late and just re said his comments and gave me an impossible topic for the next paper.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: EDU110
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I do not see how this class relates to education at all! We have talked about brain injures in football,assults on college campus, and a little on common core standards. You ask him how to do an assignment and he says it's all up to us. Then we had to read a book that does not connect to education at all! I have learned nothing about education.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: EDU110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Nice guy, tries really hard but kind of goes on and on about the same things that he is passionate about. He really hates football so if you like it beware. At least he cares about teaching and opinions. Take this class if you are ready to debate and discuss and talk and talk and talk.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: EDU111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Class was a struggle. He would rant and rant about the same thing and then just look at us like we were morons. He assigned a log where were supposed to write about everything in the world and become what he wanted us to be. If you do get this class, just bite the bullet. show up everyday and just mindlessly agree with him and you'll be ok.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: 415
• Grade Received: Audit/No Grade
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Lafer will always get on his soapbox and will never get off of it. He uses the class to stroke his own ego and tells you that writing is different for each individual, but then grades using a one-scale approach. He is not fair, not approachable, and too old to be in this profession. His assignments are also not realistic for employed students.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: EDUC415
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He sucks. plain and simple. The class was a complete waste of my time and money and I learned absolutely nothing. I've been a writer my entire life and don't need to take a class to know that you can find inspiration to write through everything in life. which is literally all he talked about every freaking three hour class. He needs fired.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: EDSC433
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This professor is by far the worst at UNR. His classes are mandatory and sadly he's the only one that offers them - so here I am. His syllabus is 30+ pages long and, honest to God, it's never seen any editing. The class goals and objectives were unclear, and his comments were unhelpful and rude. This class was a waste of time and money.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: 620
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Great professor if you are openminded and interested in expanding your views concerning the true purpose of the edu system. Most of the people in my class that did not like him were those that viewed the world in black and white, and did not appreciate having their narrow views challenged. Tuff course but worth it if you enjoy edu philosophy

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: EDSC433
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Angry man who uses the classroom as a soapbox to discuss everything he dislikes about the education system. It's nearly impossible to understand what he expects students to do on the assignments. If you get bad grades throughout the semester, don't worry; he bases your ENTIRE grade off of the final assignment of the semester. Avoid him if possible.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CTL620
• 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:

Lafer's class was by far the most interesting class I took in the Master's of Ed. Program. Many people complain about him because, unlike most education courses, he makes you think critically and be creative. He is hilarious and encourages you to dig deeper and think beyond lesson plans and standards.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CTL620
• 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: N/A

Comment:

This was one of the best classes I have ever taken. It is a class that will make you think, and will make you feel uncomfortable, but didn't Piaget say that in disequilibrium is where students learn? He gives feedback that will make you a better writer. He chooses books that are pertinent to education and society. He works to improve education!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CTL620
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Just the least helpful, rudest, unmotivating professor I have ever had and I am a graduate student. The dude needs to get out of education. He doesn't like to help, but he loves to criticize. I will never take him again.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CTL620
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Aside from his class being just a total rant on his own personal feelings, students that challenge, or even question his authority are graded and judged harder then the ones that fall in line with his personal belief system. The books chosen for the course have absolutely nothing to do with the subject matter at hand. HORRIBLE!!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: EDUC415
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Lafer is a very interesting professor.He kept my attention most of the time during lectures.Though he is ambiguous at times he still makes valid points.He is very liberal with due dates which actually worked to my advantage.I suggest meeting up with him during his office hours.You get out of the class what you put into it--Do not neglect your log!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: EDUC415
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Terrible. He doesn't realize that he's preaching to the choir when he asserts that changes need to be made in the education system. The problem is, he doesn't teach any way to navigate through the current system. In fact, he doesn't teach at all. He just stands on his soap box every class with the same irrelevant argument.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: EDUC415
• 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:

Although we did learn SOME useful strategies for teaching writing in the classroom, he is so scattered, condescending and utterly full of himself that it is downright difficult to truly get anything out of his class. He sets a great example of how NOT to be in a classroom. This class was painful and frustrating.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: EDU432
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Looking back, as a teacher now, many of the points we discussed in class were valid regarding the education system. However, when the class is Teaching Writing, that is what we should be learning. It has taken a lot of time to make up for the foundations I did not learn in that class AND I earned and A+ in it.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: EDSC433
• 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:

Remove the complete disregard for student's feelings and futures and he has some great views. Although his comments are incredibly negative and most often misspelled his intentions were at one point pure. Personality clash is bound to happen. Speak up and ask for help, whether or not you think you need it!!!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: EDUC411
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Nevada offers the second to worse education as of yet...It's no wonder when the teachers are graduating from UNR under Lafer and his useless pedagogy.