It was just a regular day, a regular class period. I do remember it was after lunch, and it was towards the end of the year…spring… when José out of the blue asked me, “Will you remember me?” I like to answer my students’ questions and on a regular day, during a regular class period the expectation of that question wasn’t in my lesson plan. hmmmm…how to answer?
I have been told I have a good memory. For quite a while it was rare that I didn’t remember a name, and I certainly didn’t forget a face. After meeting with each student every day during the course of fifty minutes x 183 days, that equaled a lot of together time. And because oral participation in my foreign language class was weighted heavily, there was a lot of conversation. Then there were after school activities where we got to get to know each other even better. My students left a trail of clues that helped me remember later when our paths would cross again.
I remember outstanding projects. A beautifully retold fairy tale with marvelous control of vocabulary and structures, not to mention the carefully crafted illustrations. I remember artistic renderings of a bullfighter and Panamanian mola.
I remember coaching and directing various plays in Spanish and witnessing the cast receive blue ribbon recognition. I loved those plays because they gave the cast members a sneak preview at proficiency. Yes, the lines were studied, rehearsed and memorized, yet I saw before me an evolution that completed understanding right down to the pronunciation, intonation and delivery. Months later after a performance, a line would re-surface in the moment and I would smile knowing that “Yes, they remember.”
Not everything can be planned, so when he asked that question, I reached into my memory bank and reminded him of his volunteer work teaching Spanish to elementary students. I reminded him of his blue ribbon performance just a month or two previous. And then in one of the most amazing moments of synchronicity in my teaching career, there was a knock on the classroom door.
I answered. There stood a young man in a three piece suit. “David!” I fairly shouted. “Please stay and meet my students. Visit with them and tell them what you are doing.”
I ushered him into class introducing him by first, middle and last name. Only God knows how I happened to remember his middle name after over twenty years. It was the 90’s and he was one of my first from those early years of teaching in the 70’s. I engaged him in conversation, interviewing him so that the class could hear from a former student from their high school. He was driving in from Dallas and with the school right off the highway, he wanted to stop and visit, see who was still there. He had become a lawyer and was driving back from presenting a case. Then finally, when the period was about over, I looked over at José and said, “Yes, José, I will remember you.”
Years later José invited me to his wedding. No, that wasn’t in the lesson plan either.
No doubt your students will remember YOU always!
As I start another term, trying again to raise the level of interaction, weaving a tapestry of groups, pairs, facilitating rather than teaching…I just go back to that one magical moment when I know one student wanted the answer to one question that was very important to him.
I wish all students could experience having a teacher like you, Georgette 😀
I like to think I can “up my game” with each term: improve success rates, lead students to mastery…but it just boils down to you do the best you can do…consider other variables out of my control enter the picture… and then it’s up to them whether they become lifelong learners or not. Thanks for reading and commenting, Lisa.
This, moments like this, is what makes teaching so worthwhile, so magical.
I used to think I was in control, that I had to have an answer for everything. But then, in this one moment, I learned it was definitely not about me, but about them and another variable…God?…played his hand answering my student’s burning question and teaching me a lesson I will never forget. Some things are just not planned.
Georgette, Your students were so blessed to have you as their teacher. Hopefully, some of them are receiving your blogs. It’s obvious that you thoroughly enjoyed teaching and your love for your students will stay with them forever. I so enjoy reading your blogs. Thanks for sharing them. Happy New Year to you and Rick! Love, Pat Hill
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Thank you for following, Pat. I know you were a very good teacher and we were both privileged to teach under leadership that allowed us to teach, make our own discoveries and make a difference. On another note, finally, there is very interesting research beyond Bloom, that points to Caring and the Human Dimension, that confirms these are two dimensions that contribute to defining Significant Teaching. D. Fink out of OK has created an interesting taxonomy of learning beyond Bloom. Fink’s Taxonomy of Significant Teaching/Learning includes: Foundational Knowledge, Integration, Application, the Human Dimension, Caring, and Life Long Learning. Interesting that the Human Dimension and Caring make up 1/3 of this taxonomy, 1/2 if you consider Life Long Learning is a love of learning, passion if you will. Haven’t we seen a lot of trends during the course of our career? But this latest research especially excites me. I’m so glad to have been able to teach this long, to see this articulated and taught to the latest crop of teachers.
As a former human resources exec, everyone at my company come through my door somehow. If I wasn’t directly involved with their hiring I always made it a point to meet them on their first day so they felt comfortable coming to me with any problems. I still meet people on the street that remember me. I usually remember the face but pulling out the name sometimes is tough, especially if they never had issues that brought them to my door. I admire the fact that you can remember complete names so much later. You are my idol!
I’m sure you met many associates in your capacity. How rewarding that you can walk on the street and they remember you before you notice or recognize them. I remember faces and can tie students to a classroom, level or group of students. However, names from the past can be a blur for me now. However at the start of a new term, I do make it a point to address each student by their first name before the first class is over. If I run into a former student, I have to ask them right away if I don’t remember, “Now, tell me your first name.” Sometimes, if they have really changed, I have to search their eyes to recognize them. The fact that I remembered David’s full name at that particular time, was a gift from an angel.
There are those teachers, like you, who really love what they are doing and love their students. These are the ones that students will always remember—just like these two examples you cited today. You have been a blessing to a lot of students over the years, I am sure, and they will remember the kindnesses you showed them. I love this story because I do not possess such a great memory. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
As I mentioned to Kate, names from the past can be a blur for me now, but faces, the look in their eye, a smile or their body language take me back.
I bet they do—and they remind you of something special about that person. What a gift .
Everyone has a story…which reminds me I think it was one of your posts where you alluded to just that, that prompted me to follow you.
Oh how I love this story! I bet you are the most amazing teacher, Georgette.
I went to a high school reunion several years ago, and it was such a treat to be remembered by a smattering of teachers. Because we remember them!
I’m so glad you were able to return for your reunion and that you reunited with former teachers. I bet you remembered their names, too!
truly awesome – and total synchronicity. 🙂
I’ll never forget that moment…one I never could have orchestrated.
When something is truly good – even exceptional – I get shivers at the back of my neck that go up to my head. This is odd but true and reading your post just now, that weird thing happened. What a fabulous teacher you must be!
I’m not sure about fabulous, Dor, but teaching does consume me…just ask my sainted husband who in so many ways made this career of mine possible. Thank you for reading.
Wow! What a moment! What a teacher! Oh, that we could all have had buckets of teachers just like you :). I have ~3 that I remember with great fondness, a rash I remember because of other reasons (odd habits etc) and the rest are a blur. Inspiring, Georgette 🙂
MJ
There’s another detail to this story that I’ll share in my next post. The story went on past the year 2000.
It’s that time of year again when I hunker down to prepare for another term, when I get “stage fright” and hope it will be a good one. I shore myself up with this memory that reminds me, it’s not about me and my “fright”, but about them…things roll as they are meant to and I’m not totally in control.
sounds great 🙂
Georgette, this is a wonderful story. A teachable moment captured by a thoughtful teacher. Excellent.
Thank you, Honie. I have a confession to make. I don’t read as much as I should. Your recent story capturing the vernacular of a certain culture, prompted me to ask…What has she read to bring those details altogether, to paint such a rich picture, to capture such authentic dialog? But with so many students to read, so many questions to process, so many papers to read and grade, I am grateful for the volumes handed over to me read, reflect upon and respond to. Thank you for reading and commenting today.
I’ll try to answer your question here, but will probably spill over into your comment on my post. I have a great respect for teachers. Each child brings their own story into the classroom. A thoughtful teacher fills in the gaps of those stories with useful knowledge and if the student meets you halfway, a spark ignites that fuels a lifetime of learning and creativity. That is what your post said to me…
The fact that David came to visit you twenty years later speaks volumes about the kind of teacher you are, Georgette. You leave a lasting impact on your students. Unfortunately that’s rare in the education field these days. You should be proud! Thanks for sharing the beautiful artwork!
I know I treasure my career for the continuity, for the ability to follow individuals and their stories. Although I had a remarkable childhood, loving parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, very interesting places to live, our family moved a lot due to my father’s career in the space industry. As much as my childhood was characterized by several moves, I stayed put throughout my career and am so grateful for the opportunity to experience stories develop. It was wonderful to get past introductions, “Hello, my name is…and I’m from…” A story that spans more than twenty years is priceless to me.
Will you remember me?
Hit a sore spot. My son always sends me a birthday card around the end of August. Only problem with that is my birthday is June 18. My daughter has been around with kids about once a month-for a little extra money for this or that.
So sorry this is a sore spot. The fact is they know where to find you. I take it your son lives far away, and I can tell by the photos the grands love being with you.
Oh, what a nice story!! I just love synchronicities!
Thank you, Dianna. That was one of the most memorable ones.
The title of this blog I knew I would respond to immediately as I will certainly NEVER forget YOU! But, the story behind the title touched me deeply as well. There is nothing more rewarding than the bond between student/teacher and being ‘found’ after so many years touches ones heart like nothing else can. A student of mine from 1972, a 3rd grader at the time, found me through Inger on Facebook. I was pregnant with her the year I taught Yvette & she’s never forgotten me or my children (guess she kept up through the years as she even told me she named one of her sons after mine). I was beyond words when Inger messaged me one day & asked if I knew an Yvette Summers. I responded immediately, “Yes, I taught her 3rd grade during the ’72-’73 school year!” She told me all about how she’d contacted her asking if I was her mother, had taught school in N.O., etc. She left her phone number & I called her immediately … she’s in Lafayette, LA (taught her in New Orleans) & has asked if we can get together … she’ll be 50 this year!!! I can’t wait to see her – we’re friends on FB & I would’ve recognized her anywhere!! Life is good. God is great! Will never forget you my lifelong friend. XO
God certainly steers things in directions we can never foretell. After so many years, I hope you do get together. What fun to have connected through Inger, though–go figure.
Georgette, You sound like an amazing teacher, one who really cares about her students. But I’m confused with the ending. Who invited you to their wedding? Jose or David. I wasn’t sure if Jose’s question came years ago, maybe the 90s? Only because you said David was in your class in the 70s, right. So if that’s the case, Jose could be getting married about now. Hmm…
Years later around 2008 or 09, José invited me to his wedding. He was probably around 28 or so when he did. I just edited “he” to “José”…thank you for the heads up if there was any confusion. The story goes on. I have still another installment next Sunday.
I’ve been sitting here thinking about the teachers I remember most fondly – and most vividly – and all of them had three qualities in common: an absolute grasp of their subject matter, a passion for teaching, and a willingness to be truly available to students.
Clearly, you have all three, and my own experience has been that, when a former teacher hasn’t remembered my name, for whatever reason, if they had taught me well and engaged me in the classroom, I’d forgive them almost everything!
It occurs to me that the same qualities which make a classroom teacher memorable and effective can be found even in non-academic settings. Traditional apprenticeships often found the same bond between the “master craftsman” and those learning how not to cut their fingers off! And heaven knows there are plenty in the educational system who may have academic degrees aplenty and years of teaching behind them, but who are experienced only as horrors to be escaped. I think of a particular 10th grade biology teacher…. 😉
Such a wonderful, thought-provoking post. As for those beginning-of-year nerves? Those are a sign of someone who cares.
You and I know a grasp for the subject matter is what teachers love most…that’s what brings us there first. Then as we are challenged to convey the material to many different intelligences we know we have to do what it takes and yes, be available at hours beyond the classroom.
In moving often with the space industry, I really missed the continuity of keeping up with teachers, the community and classmates. Once I established myself in one community, I had no desire to move or change jobs. For one, I was given the freedom to up my game learning from the previous years and compiling files. Because of that my present life is possible: consulting on the state and national level…what an honor, and now teaching at a community college. Students call me professor…I do not have a doctorate, nor am I tenured. I consider myself an instructor and that is in my signature on every e-mail. I was fortunate to have great professors and one I wrote about in “Significant Teaching Meets Significant Learning” a couple of years ago. He was one who inspired, definitely knew his subject matter and always made himself available to me.
Thank you for reading this and commenting.
“… an absolute grasp of their subject matter.” ¡Ojalá fuera asÃ! Would that it were so! Of course there’s always a mixture of abilities in any group, including teachers, but I’ve observed (informally) over the decades that fewer teachers now seem to know their subject well and have a passion for it.
Maybe having an affinity for a subject is more common with teachers of foreign languages, where there’s all the food and customs and songs of another culture to be enjoyed. I taught mostly math, and one of my disappointments was rarely seeing any personal enthusiasm in other teachers of that subject. Outside of school I’d read math and explore math for the fun of it, but I didn’t see that in other math teachers.
En todos casos, in any case, I’m glad Georgette’s enthusiasm for Spanish has stayed with her students after so many years. That’s a deserved reward and a great comfort.
That is one of the joys of being a language teacher, you tend to get to know the students quite well. I remember many of my students. Some still keep in touch vis email even though they are back in their country. This is such a lovely story. Thanks for sharing it.
We do get to know our students in teaching language. It’s relational as well as material driven. Thank you for reading and commenting.
I’m so thrilled for you that your Amanda series is receiving wider and wider attention. Congratulations.
How sweet that he invited you to his wedding. Teachers don’t get enough credit in this world and this makes me happy. You influence and help so many young minds. Good for you!
Samuel Adams once said, “Teachers affect eternity. One never knows where their influence stops.” It’s true when I remember mine. I challenged myself to remember all I could all the way to elementary school. Funny, I came up with all but the PE teachers. I think that was so because the PE classes were so large and I never really felt noticed in those classes.
Congratulations on your book, your discipline to write and the notice your book is getting. I’m honored that you visit and comment.
What a sweet story, and impression you’ve left in each others’ mind.
Thanks, Patti.
Warm Greetings from cold and snowy Poland.
Thank you for visiting.
The love you have for these young people (and the love,many of them feel for you) is priceless. It is fun to get those occasional glimpses to how we’ve touched another person’s life. I’ve known teachers like you…never had the opportunity to sit under one ;-)….having done a little teaching through our local community college, I know how much mental energy it took and I was only doing it part time…I have a paper weight sitting on my desk that says, “Teachers plant the seeds that grow forever.”… you’re doing that. going to sign up for your blog. There is a warm healthy energy in your writing! thanks for sharing your stories! DM
Why thank you, DM. Funny, how I’ve cut back from a full high school teaching load to only two community college classes per term…sometimes 3…and I still manage to stay at school from 7-2 on teaching days.
I appreciate your kind words. I learned early…because my high school students shaped my style, I can’t do snarky or attitude. They. just. didn’t. respond.if I dared use it. I can’t “do” it very well, but I do get quite a laugh out of some stuff in the blogosphere.