Western Kentucky University / B / Jackie Bretz

I have to agree with the first reviewer, she is an evil lady and she hasn't gotten any better, at least from what the previous person said, i can't change much. She is awful and just knowing that you have her class on a certain day makes your day even worse.

She needs to be more specific in what she wants and she also needs to teach us, not expect us to perform well at something that we have never done before.

Watch out for the tests that she likes to call "quizes"; plus you may want to keep in mind that she allots different weights for each of her grades, so there is really no way to keep up with you grade during the semester, until she posts it.

Oh yeah, one more word of advice, don't take it if there is any way to get out of taking it, create a circumstance and run with it.

There is one more thing that i want you all to keep in mind this is much like an education class, you will produce a three week unit plan with 5 full days of lesson plans about a topic you know nothing about, and she is little, to no help with it, the only good thing about it is that there are no observation hours.

Remember: don't punish yourself if you don't have to, try your hardest to avoid her like the plauge!!!!!!!! lol

Mrs. Bretz is an evil lady! From the beginning, it was clear that she was not one to help a student when it was needed. Assignments were confusing, and when asked to make them clear or if a specific question was asked, she replied that it was in the syllabus. She would yell and degrade you if you asked a question. Assignments were given to you with no explanation, and no rubric as to how she will grade. The quizzes were more like tests with over a 100 questions. If you missed class, you were on your own. This class could have been handy, but everyone dreaded it and left upset or angry with how she treated the students. Unfortunately, she is the only one that teaches this course.

Jackie Bretz is a fantastic person but her grading is incredibly strict. Never assume an assignment is easy. If you think you've done enough, always do more. She does give lots of opportunities for extra credit, though.

I really didn't like this class too much but its required so just tough it out. There's 8 lectures and you can go to all of them and drop one or 7 and skip one. She weights grades more at the end of the course so don't get lazy! And she only uses extra credit to bump you up to the next letter grade if you're borderline so that can suck. (And some of the extra credit is random stuff like people at the Herald or WKU officials so be prepared!) Keep up on current events because she'll spring a quiz on you! I bought the book but really didn't need it so I would just make a friend with someone who has one and save the money! Also, turn papers back in with corrections and you can earn back some points!

Jackie Bretz means well. She is very passionate about her job. However, if you aren't as passionate it could hurt you. She does have her class favorites.(if you work for the paper or the year book you are in!) She also will call you out in class, so if you are shy beware!! I liked her, she will work with you on your grade. However,her other evaluations are true...hope she is in a good mood. She grades really hard!!! She is also flexable on deadlines. This is a hard class...I worried about my grade all semester! Good Luck!! Stay on top of your work, don't miss class unless you are dying! and get people to check your papers! (lots of different people before you turn it in!

This course is difficult, but you really learn how to write, in true journalistic style that you can be proud of.

Professor Bretz is not the easiest professor, but she is helpful and fun to listen to.

She even brings pizza sometimes!

You will write a LOT in this class. Be sure to study what she hints for you to - because she WILL put those things on the tests and/or exams.

If you are serious about Journalism for yourself or teaching, take Professor Bretz. She will do more than teach you - she will make sure you get the skill you need.

Be prepared for some hard work in this class and volunteer for all the extra credit you can do, because you'll need it at the end of class. And come to class every time. She gives you a "professionalism" grade that includes that.

she is the worst teacher i have ever taken. she is cold hearted. she plays favorites, acts like she want to help you but is totally fake. do not take her aviod at all costs. she teaches like it is an all majors course when in fact on 2 majors were in my class.

She is an awesome teacher. You will write a lot of stories for her class and that meaning sometimes 2 or 3 a week. She is overly helpful and gives many opportunities for extra credit. My advice is take the class when it meets just once a week. You will be busy almost the entire time during class but she switches things up quite often so you aren't always doing the same thing. She gives a lot of short quizzes which are easy points but you just have to keep up with what is going on in the outside world.

Mrs. B is a nice woman and an easy teacher. She would be more than glad to help you out if you needed it. She posts her notes on blackboard, so you don't necessarily have to take notes. The book is not required, but sometimes she wants you to read a few small parts of chapters. The tests are fairly easy, if you just read over your notes a few times. You have to do a book report over any book that has anything to do with the course, which is cool b/c you get to choose the book. She's fairly lenient b/c I turned my book report in 3/4 weeks late and I still got an 89. Overall, the course is really interesting and I would def. tell anyone to take her for the course!

Ms Bretz is truly the best teacher a student can have. She is the reason that I changed my major from PR to Print Journalism. She inspires her students to strive to better than just a writer, but to actually be a journalist. Even though I had her class at 8 in the morning she still woke me up with her jokes about current events or something that she thinks will make us laugh. She is caring--nothing like most of our professors here at Western. I would recommend her to anyone!!!!!