If Voldemort was a Professor at Hogwarts: An Examination of his Teaching Skills and Morals

Would Voldemort have been an effective professor at Hogwarts? This question invites a nuanced exploration into the mind and methods of a man consumed by ambition, power, and control. To answer this, we examine both his potential effectiveness and the morality of his methods.

Effective Teaching Methods

From a strictly pedagogical standpoint, Voldemort would undoubtedly exhibit excellent teaching skills. Characterized by a relentless pursuit of excellence, his approach would be aspirational and challenging. Drawing inspiration from the dynamic lessons of Remus Lupin and Harry Potter in the Prisoner of Azkaban and Order of the Phoenix, he would engage students with hands-on, interactive, and dynamic lessons designed to push boundaries and enhance capabilities.

For the pure-blooded and the powerful, Voldemort would be a beacon of respect and excellence. He would tailor his instruction to meet their needs, ensuring that they thrived and excelled in all aspects of their studies. His popularity among the most privileged students would be undeniable, as he would make them feel seen, understood, and nurtured. In this sense, he would be an effective teacher, but more as a master of manipulation than a true educator.

Subtle Cruelty and Adversarial Tactics

However, his effectiveness would come at a heavy moral cost. Voldemort would employ a subtle form of cruelty, setting up muggle-borns and the less privileged against the more powerful students. He would challenge everyone with minimum expectations, ensuring that there would be no legitimate reason for his dismissal. Despite this, he would foster an environment where muggle-borns and the weaker students would face tougher challenges, thereby creating a divide within the school community.

His adversarial approach would be designed to favor the pure and powerful, promoting a meritocracy where only the strong survive. This system would ensure that his students would excel in their OWLS and NEWTS but would create a hostile and unequal environment. His subtle cruelty would be a silent pressure, enabling him to maintain control over the school and its students in an unwelcoming manner.

Cultivating Influence and Followership

To solidify his control, Voldemort would methodically gather followers, a strategy reminiscent of Severus Snape. Just as he was a student of Slughorn, he would identify and cultivate students who could help him gain influence. Those who could become future warriors, teachers, and faithful followers would be prioritized. His recruitment strategy would be top-down, starting with sympathetic students and extending to faculty members and even the Ministry of Magic, filling key positions with loyalists.

Through a combination of cunning and force, he would manipulate the Board of Governors, gain the post of Headmaster, and ensure his dominance. This would not only solidify his control over Hogwarts, but also exert control over the wider wizarding world. His influence would extend beyond the walls of Hogwarts, guiding the magical community into a place of darkness and anti-Muggle bigotry.

Conclusion: Effective but Morally Bankrupt

In summary, Voldemort would be an effective teacher, but his methods are deeply morally questionable. While he would excel in terms of student engagement and performance, his tactics would be exploitative and cruel, tearing the Hogwarts community apart. His ultimate goal would be to bend the wizarding world to his will, maintaining control through fear and manipulation. An excellent teacher, but not one we should emulate or admire.