"Ashley says hi. And she says she wants a pair of your earrings."
Um, okay. It was before class when a boy approached me with this. Ashley? A common enough name. I didn't recall the girl.
"You don't know her," the boy accused. I admitted I didn't. He thought that quite funny, and we moved on.
Two days later I was at the continuation high school. At snack a girl accosted me.
"You don't know me, huh?"
Oh, Ashley...
I recognized her, but I wouldn't have recalled her name if not for the interaction with the boy. I'm sure she's a very nice girl, but our interactions have not been such that make her memorable to me.
I stammered something out about how the boy hadn't mentioned she was at a different school. I left out that considering how many different students I see, I don't remember every one.
I guess I'm supposed to, though. Remember every one, that is. I really need to work on my facial/name recall.
It's hard to remember so many names, especially when you don't see them all the time.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is.
DeleteThey all think they are so memorable, don't they? Except when they ar trying to get away with something and they hope you won't remember them at all.
ReplyDeleteLOL. Yes, this is so true.
DeleteConsidering you rotate around the classes and schools, I'm surprised you remember your own name by the end of the week.
ReplyDeleteLOL with what Alex said. I do agree with him. Its like we know a lot of the cashiers at Wal-Mart since we go shopping around the same time weekly, but they might or might not remember us unless we get them weekly. Same I would imagine with you and students.
ReplyDeletebetty
I always thought that the kids had it easy, they had one person's name to remember per class; the teacher can have around thirty for each one! No wonder they need seating charts and helpful aids to remember everyone!
ReplyDeleteAnd yet there are teachers with no seating charts who do remember each and every student. Of course, they see the same group every day.
DeleteWell I guess there is good to the fact that she has not done anything that makes you remember her. Could be worse, she could have been a problem child! I would not be able to remember all the kids either.....but I know a teacher that would. I had her in 3rd grade (I am 57 now). Both my son and daughter had her (their ages 29 and 36). I actually ran into Ms. Bond about five years ago on the other side of town from where she taught and where we went to school. I saw her and knew just who she was, she saw me and said, "Why Pam, how are you"? Then she proceeded to ask me how Amber and Cory were!! That is a awesome memory for someone to have to remember us by names and be able to put my kids with me.
ReplyDeleteYeah, some teachers are amazing like that. Of course, it helps that you had her for 3rd grade. She only had to remember one class a year ;)
DeleteI'm terrible with name recognition. Even as a high school student I regularly walked with a girl whose name I could never recall. My mother wisely suggested I ask her how to spell it. Now I still remember LaNita May to this day. ~grin~ You do incredibly good work, regardless.
ReplyDeleteThat's good. I just cheat and look at their papers ;)
DeleteWe get the same attitude here at work. I had one guy look so crestfallen like I was his best friend or something. At this point in my life, I just don't care. How many people are you supposed to remember anyhow?? Crazy!
ReplyDeleteThat's a good question. What is the upper limit of people one person can remember? And does that change over time? Do people get forgotten? Interesting...
DeleteDo you know that Marylouu Henner from Taxi has one of those perfect memories that she can remember everything. If you ask her what were you doing on January 25, 1979, she can tell you, in detail.
DeleteYes, I did. There's a similar condition where people remember every person they've ever met. It doesn't matter how long ago or for how short a time. They remember absolutely everyone.
DeleteI think I was talking about upper limit for those of us with average brains.
They all think they're memorable, right? And that since they know you, you must know them :).
ReplyDeleteI focused on the eyes and hair when trying to remember students. Meanwhile, hang onto your earrings.
ReplyDeleteHair works when it's memorable. There's this one boy who wears this massive afro...
DeleteOh my, good luck with remembering everyone lol I have a horrible time putting names to faces
ReplyDeleteMe too. Although, I'm so paranoid of calling someone a wrong name that I rarely use names if I can help it.
DeleteThat's one of the things I thought must be hardest about being a teacher, especially one doing what you do. At least your earrings made an impression though!
ReplyDeleteYou and your earrings were certainly memorable to her!
ReplyDeleteApparently.
DeleteI have seven boys in my class whose names all end with "an". Eg; Declan Jaydan Haydan etc. I am always calling them the wrong name. Substitute teachers can't possibly be expected to remember everyone though. Your earrings must be nice :)
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how naming trends go, isn't it? Just today I had four Briannas in one period. And I had less than 20 students in class.
DeleteOops! I'm terrible at remembering names but know some who can recall dang near everyone they've met.
ReplyDeleteSucks that Ashley's FAVORITE SUB doesn't remember her. ;)
ReplyDeleteI wonder about "favorite sub". I always imagine Eddie Haskell talking to Mrs. Cleaver. I don't trust it.
DeleteI'm guessing you not remembering her is actually a good thing. I assume the more difficult ones are the more memorable ones. It's never a good sign if everyone in my office is familiar with a client.
ReplyDeleteIt's hit or miss. I do remember some good kiddos and I forget some bad ones.
Delete