‘Hot’ professor of the week: Dr Jinger Gottschall
‘Bahahaha I am sure it was a mistake or the student was drunk’
It’s time for another look at RateMyProfessors.com and a Penn State professor rated with the infamous hot, red chili pepper.
Professor Gottschall is an associate professor of Kinesiology and has been at Penn State for eight years now. She teaches KINES 360 Neural Control of Movement and KINES 488 Mechanics of Locomotion.
Let’s get to know her.
Have you ever been hit on by a student?
I have never been hit on by a student.
Do you read your reviews on ‘Rate My Professors’?
Actually, funny story: my stepdad just retired last year and he now has too much time on his hands. He just recently informed me about my terrible ratings. He was the first to alert me that students think I’m a little too hard and bitchy. So, I try not to read them.
Even the SRTEs make you feel like you got hit by a truck. I definitely do like to get feedback from the students about my content, pace, and difficulty. But, I take individual emails more seriously.
Did you previously know you had the chili pepper or “hot” rating?
I didn’t know! I’ve heard of it because another kinesiology professor had one and thought it was cool. But, I didn’t know it. I just feel so old, at least when I’m teaching.
How does it feel knowing you were given the chili pepper rating?
I guess it would depend on who it came from and in what manner it was given. Like I said, I’m sure it was a mistake, or the student was drunk and thought it was funny. I try to take it as a compliment, but I don’t know if it’s given out regularly or not. Does everyone get one?
Do you think some students actually take classes based on the hotness of a professor?
I doubt that they would. I feel they first take it on based on their schedule, and then if a professor is easier. When I was an undergrad my Biochemisty professor was a ‘chili pepper’ and it didn’t hurt. It definitely made me want to go to class more. I think it’s different too between girls and guys. Girls might want some eye candy as a distraction, where as boys probably don’t care.
Based on what other professors think, do you think the “hot” rating is just there for fun, or should teachers take offense to it?
No, they shouldn’t take offense to it. I’m the worst person to ask because I think people take things too seriously anyway. I can’t imagine somebody would actually use that for their course selection. I see it as being a more fun part of the website rather than being offensive.
Are you married?
Not married. There are VERY few single guys between 35-45 in State College… maybe your next article can find me a date.
We’ll do our best… but according to the ratings are RateMyProfessor maybe she should just lower that age limit a little bit.