Originally Posted by master of none
Evidence the teacher cares:
1. She wants kids to learn to get the right answer (we had a teacher that gave the test, then gave the answers, then gave the test again. She didn't care as long as they produced the answer on the test).
2. She may have learned math by following procedures and may feel that any difficulties she has are in her failure to properly follow procedures, check her work, etc. So she's teaching the kids to avoid those pitfalls.
3. She's upfront with the parents and kids about her style.
4. She has called a meeting.

Teachers that don't care do not do these things. They are arbitrary, they put kids on guard, never knowing what will happen next. They change their mind frequently as part of a power trip or because they don't listen to themselves-- always include units. Points off for putting units--that type of thing. So far, you've seen no negatives here. Just sit and listen.

This is a false dichotomy.