J. Zigby
He understands when students are having trouble and will help you but also recognises excuses and will not tolerate them. Don't bs around with him, that's the only reason some ppl might be scared of him. Other than that he's a super nice guy and knows everything he teaches very well. I never had trouble in bio with him and he leads sla well by giving us enough independance while defending us in front of admin. Also know that he is busy a lot so don't waste his time and don't be late.
What a character. Really enjoyed his classes - he makes you think hard every class and it may seem exhausting, but you'll find that you'll learn new stuff everyday. I learned a lot from him, and he really cares about the success of every single person. Bring your manuel every class!! you never know when he'll ask you to take it out. Also, do not zone out. He's not afraid to call people out and embarrass you in front of everybody!
I love him. He's really knowledgeable and funny. Zigby keeps it real. He constantly reminds us that we are stressing far too much over everything.
But be warned, he's going to say that if you go to the school dance, or fully dress up for Halloween, he'll give you bonus points. ITS ALL A LIE. Seriously, he never gave us those points and when we asked about it he laughed and mumbled something about us being too obsessed with marks. So don't be tempted. WE TRUSTED HIM *sobs*
(Part 1)
This man confuses me. Not in the educational sense, personality wise. He is possibly one of the most contradictory people I know. This man will tell and reassure you that marks are of no importance, but simultaneously will do everything he can to not give a student 100% on a test. This man will seem like the nicest guy until you cross his word and he will leave the student who spoke and the five people next to them scarred for the next couple of days.
Pt2
Furthermore, I would like to point out that this is the man in charge of SLA, the 'Student Life Association', and that he has openly stated that he does not care to be the organiser, that he has been trying to give the position away for years. This is one of the things that has most upset me, since he has assumed this position of enormous importance to represent the students of royal west, and as the representative of the SLA body he is complaining about it, to a class full of his students.
Not particularly skilled at explaining mechanics and totally useless with optics. He's nice outside of class but an overall mean person in the classroom. The material itself is so easy though just go find external sources like youtube videos or another textbook!
Very good teacher. He makes sure his students really understand what they're learning. Easy to take for granted. Sometimes can be confusing or seem contradictory, but generally consistent.
I had Mr Zigby for both Physics and Biology and geez it was a lot of work. I hope it will be worth it when I go to CEGEP next year, but as one of the previous commenters said, we are high school students, not university students. When we have not heard of the subject before, we don't know the answer. Also he always keeps you on your toes. He calls people out in the most random times in class. You always have to be prepared for his class, but a great teacher. "F for physics, f for fun"
A national treasure
(Mr. Zigby if you're reading this you're the best... Just stop and think about it.)
Great Physics teacher. Knows the material really well and will work you to the bone, but worth it in the end. Not the most positive person however, but super reliable. Oh and loves the phrase, "Just stop and think about it."
Foremost positive things-
-Brilliant, really does understand physics and tries his best to transmit that understanding.
-Makes himself available for students to come if they need extra help.
-Tough but fair, be ready to work your brain.
-If you open your mind and are willing, you will really learn!
Foremost negative things-
-His attitude tends toward arrogance. Not everything we've ever learned was for the purpose of physics.
-I find him to be impersonal and cold at times.
Zigby is one of the best teachers I've ever had. I took his cultural math class and he made me interested in learning math for the first time since elementary school. He will help and make time for you if you need it, but he really makes you give your absolute best and prove to him that you're trying your hardest. On top of everything, he is just a brilliant man. He is kind, funny, sarcastic, witty and genuinely cares about his students and their concerns with social issues and life in general.
Zigby is absolutely fantastic. He knows exactly what he is talking about, his class in enjoyable, he is always there to help and he is so nice and personable. Great prep for cegep physics! Have fun :)
Prepares you so well for CEGEP and such a great person all around. Thank you Mr. Zigby for being amazing.
What an amazing teacher! He will make you laugh all while learning and his many stories are worth all your attention. Rugby coach for two years, my biology teacher in grade 10, and physics teacher in grade 11. Made high school simply awesome..!
A confusing character. He wants his students to think on their own. Wont give the answers. But if u need help he will give it. He is hard but fair. He wants us to learn concepts not get marks. Go in with an open mind and try to understand him.
You are really a great teacher. Sometimes a little rude, sometimes a little off topic, but definitely one of the best teachers that I have ever had.
Hey mr zigby! Im in cegep right now, and I can say, hands down, youre the best teacher that ive EVER had. Thank you SO much for making me love physics, and an autonomous learner. I really miss your classes, and sometimes wish in mechanics that I was back in your class! Thanks a bunch... Your students might hate you in the moment, but keep doing what youre doing- it works.
I love you Mr. Zigby!! Always able to make me smile. Makes math an enjoyable class
Hope everything's well Mr. Zigby. Just wanted to let you know that cegep has been a breeze so far and that you shouldn't hesitate to go even harder on your students (they'll thank you for it later).
Really a great teacher overall, but dont expect him to help you during an exam. hes a chiller 99% of the time.
Mr. Zigby, I know you're reading this right now. You are a wonderful teacher. However, you need to understand sometimes that we are HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, not in university. I know I'm going to thank you in Cegep , but we are not all geniuses,nor perfect. A lot of students feel inadequate in your class sometimes. Sometimes a little positive reinforcement would be nice instead of making us feel stupid. You're still amazing nonetheless, sometimes you just need to think before putting people down.
Solid teacher, its rare but it happens. Kids like him, keep up the good work sir, you earned my respect 100 percent. peace
Put his 2010-2011 Technical Math students through hell. Pure delight with Culture math kids, however.
I dont know him well enough yet, but so far, he seems great. He is HILARIOUS, he means well too. I have him for math and physics, and he is AMAZING at explaining things. His analogies make every thing make so much more sense ! I am honestly so grateful that I have him in both math and physics. Honestly, yeah, marks do matter, but Id rather learn alot from a great teacher than just have a good mark but not learn anything out of the ordinary.
Knows his stuff. Preaches self-learning. Enjoys power trips. Can be randomly moody and irritable. Challenges his students.
He gives adequate notes but do the handouts and exercises in the textbooks
He is by far the most memorable teacher i had at RWA! He made me understand that math will only come to you if you really work hard at it. To all you haters... GFY!!
Overall he's pretty good but sometimes he gets on your nerves a bit. Hint: When he gives the entire class a zero on a lab report it means he wants you to redo it.
Often quite vague, digresses frequently, and an overall marking mess. However, my classes spent with him are perhaps the most memorable of my High School education. Don't be afraid of him!
he hates on his sla a lot.. but deep down he knows he loves us! i understood physics even though he got mad a lot, he's a funny rugby coach, he loves his presidents! lab notebooks dont mean anything
Great teacher as long as you don't get offended easily/take jokes personally. He truly cares about his students, he wants you to succeed and he'll push you. Have to work hard in his class to succeed
Interesting man... Won't answer your questions and has a frightening temper... Do not mess with him, it's easier to learn the material by yourself online. All though great sense of humor.
best math teacher. will not hesitate to tell you you're terrible at math. but I've learned a lot this year despite being in a really hard course (T S). 10/10
Your first impression of Mr.Zigby is always gonna be negative. You'll say he's mean, or dead honest, or that he isn't always there when you need help. You only realize later on that he will be the most memorable teacher you'll ever have. Because he teaches you not only math, chem, or physics, but he teaches you the reality of life. If anything, Mr.Zigby only wants the best for his students and will do anything to make them succeed. He may be hard on you, but you realize that its for the best.
I know your reading this Mr. Zigby and you'll hate it, but he was such an amazing teacher!! Ya, he doesn't care about the marks but he really wants you to understand the concepts. Incredicly helpful, you can go and see him anytime and he's willing to help you. Don't be afraid of him, he's really not as scary as your think!
There are two types of people who don't like mr. Zigby, the people who don't take him seriously, and the ones who take him too seriously. The fact that you are at royal west means that you are smart enough to understand that he is just a teacher, a person, not some ominous presence willing you to fail, just like any normal person, i doubt he cares that much about you. He wants you to succeed but he wont do it for you and if thats what you're looking for he wont respect you. He'll treat you like an adult.
Uses "independent learning" as an excuse for him not to teach or help students
he's not very helpful when you ask questions, but he wants his students to think for themselves. but sometimes the students need some guidance on certain subjects.
Awesome Teacher! Really helps you understand what's going on instead of just throwing formulas at you!
Awesome teacher, he really knows what hes talking about, no matter if its about the material itself or life in general.
Extremely discouraging and unhelpful, especially for Science
he is the best teacher in the world!!! he is fantastic!! im telling everyone to take physics!!
hey mr zigs! i know you're reading this right now :P you're the greatest teacher ive ever had and to this day one of the only people not to disappoint me. You were the highlight of RWA and i'll miss you. Shout out to the "slow ones" '10 and to Juvi girls rugby!
brutally honest and some find hard to like. he tests everyone. stand up to him. don't be scared. he cares about his students, even though he thinks marks aren't important. he will go to the ends of the world to accommodate you. but don't be fooled, he will make you work hard and can be VERY stubborn at times (hard to talk to when he's stressed)
Really amazing Physics teacher. One of the few teachers who actually knows what he is talkikng about. understands what we don't understand and should take good notes. Can do well only if you listen to everything he says. Don't be afraid to ask questions even if he doesn't answer them sometimes. Crazy picky and paranoid about lab notebooks.
Fair and very clear in class, but not the most easy person to come and talk you when you need help with understanding something.
Horrible teacher, just horrible, Pretends like he cares when he really doesn't. Acts tough for no reason and picks favorites.
bestttt mattthhh teeaccchhheeerrr ive ever had!!! he's clear, always willing to help and always gives you the extra push so that you give your all. :) im going to miss himm next year... no more zigby :( . he always made me laugh with his stories and yelling about uniform codes!!
I have Zigby for math and i have never understood it so well! i love him as a teacher, hes entertaining and extremely helpful. My friends and i actually look forward to go to math. thank you Zigby!!:)
I love Mr Zigby, he gives 110% of his time to his students either as a teacher or helping with extra curricular activites. I would say he gives more than any other teacher. He is alwasy there to help with anything and is understanding and a great person. The students all love Mr Zigby.
He's a really nice man but he always says that marks don't matter but they do matter to a certain extent. Solid chemistry teacher put could put more depth into his explanations for physics.
I'm just doing this because lately he's been concerned about his rating dropping. But hes pretty gud
He's an awesome teacher and is so involved in the school. He's always there to talk to and gives great advice. He's one of the BEST teachers at RWA!! :D
Funny, inspirational, pushes you to do your best. Never have I worked harder than under him. He understands his students' questions and concerns, trying his utmost at clarity and understanding.
What happened to RWA ,Zigby's the best and you who criticize him are flat out babies.I am in University because of him.Grow up!
Zigby's a great teacher, makes u think while you learn. physics is by far the easiest to understand. plus, he helped coach the juvi boys volleyball team that won 5 championship trophies in fall 2007
i resisted at the beginning but he's an awesome teacher with interesting things to say and a passion for what he does. physics is now bearable... interesting, even
He's so funny and really cares about his students (not about their marks). His little lectures take up much of class time!
He's one of the best teachers I've ever had. Perhaps some students have gotten the wrong idea about Mr. Zigby. GET TO KNOW HIM. He teaches very well. Do your homework if you plan to succeed.
ok at the beginning i hated mr zigby with a passion but i realized really quickly that hes actually the best science teacher we have without lang there and a really nice guy too
He's not exactly helpful when you ask questions, maybe it's because he can't really teach very well.
Very unclear in what he does, super unorganized, avoids direct questions if you ask him (sometimes makes me wonder whether he knows the answers to them or not), rude, attempts to be intimidating.
Best homeroom teacher ever. Inspiring, and has a beautiful soul. VERY helpful
Mr. Zigby was by far my favourite teacher at RWA... His jokes can sometimes be funny but overall he's just a really chill guy who rides his bike a lot. He also checks this site.. what's up Mr. Zigby!
Amazing, socially just, perspicacious teacher. Formulated a magnificent conjecture of wisdom (The Zigby Conjecture). Inspirationally enlivens the Royal West Academy school atmosphere.
Good teacher, bad jokes. That isn't to say they don't make me laugh, though.
Ha Ha Ha Ha... oh, my apologies, my apologies. Awesome guy, great teacher. Really prepares you for cegep. Gotta love sig figs. Tough tests, mostly due to length. I loved his class.
JZ is one of the top teachers at the school. Do the work he assigns, pay attention. and you will do well. He is a hard marker on the labs, but you get very prepared for cegep.
lol he is really cool... we have a long standing play-feud but he's great with pep talks (and putting you down :P ) and is so good at what he teaches. beware however... do EXACTLY what he says...
When I saw that I had Zigby for Physcal Science I was kinda scared..cause I heard such bad things about him..boy that has changed..he makes science interesting, he keeps us laughing and is rly smart!
great science teacher. interesting ways of keeping your attention in the subject, but very cool anyways. mr. zigby, you do know science has no moral imperative
it is not necessary to speak to us in the same voice that you would a 3 year old. please speak normally.
Eloquent teacher, full of social justice, witty, kind-hearted; creates wise, perspicacious conjectures. Is the ultimate inspiration. Contributes to the scholastic and world community considerably.
jamal seems tough but is a softie, do 1/2 the work and you will get 90s
J-Dawg Zigby is a very good teacher, very helpful and clear. He likes chicken and cheese sandwiches very much, as well as his dog J-Dawg junior.
rly good teacher, clear explains well, prepares us xtremely well, makes class interesting, sarcastic funny, gives great real-life examples, lil wierd sumtimes
Awesome teacher. Carries his bicycle up two flights of stairs in the mornings, and then down again after school.
My god what agreat teacher and man and what a great dancer,loves hairpie!
Mr. Zigby is by far one of my most cherished teachers of RWA. His sense of humour is "interesting" but once u get used to it, he's such a good teacher. AND IM STILL IN SCIENCES!!!
I HOPE HE READS THIS... IM STILL IN SCIENCES, BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thanks big guy... "and thats basically it"
As a parent I was extremely pleased and indebted to this man for the time,effort and dedication he showed my son. Tremendous teacher and role model.Thanks Jamal
Very kind, helpful, and witty. Has a great sense of humour. Very friendly and outgoing. Very popular. Very involved in school activities (i.e., SLA, etc.)
Mr Zigby is the greatest. Class always rocked. His diagrams were the best.
honestly, best teacher ever. and...that's basically it...
BEST TEACHER EVER IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD. MAKES ME WANNA GET UP IN THE MORNING AND LEARN!
i actually passed math with him. he was a great hmrm teacher, we definitely bonded. zigby rules
Good teacher, Good man, DONT HAVE A MESSY ROOM ON THE SKI TRIPS...Aw dam now he knows who i am
Amazing teacher and an admirable teacher, DEFINITELY an inspiration. Great person and really fun and laid back teacher! Makes Royal West a better place. yay!
He's young, so really relates well to the students, great pep talks, good teacher, and extremely respectable, rwa would NOT be the same without him!
I speak for everyone when i say this, you are an inspiration, all of your stuednts love you, not only are you an amazing teacher, but you are a great friend.
Mr. J. Zigby is an exceptionally fantastic teacher who has a sense of humour, contributes to the school, and is explains his subject matter well.
He's the coolest and makes you want to go to science class.
