OPINION: At least the face looks familiar
They say that life is a journey - but sometimes I want to pull off the road!
At 20, I started losing my hair. When 30 came, I noticed some gray in the hair I had left. At 40, I needed bifocals. And, four years ago, at 50, I started forgetting the names of former students.
That's understandable, said my friends, you've had over a thousand students. But, I reply: I can't remember the ones I had LAST year.
I teach seventh grade and in September when I see those former students in the hall as eighth-graders and they say sweetly, "Hello, Mr. Schachter," I'm baffled. Is that Katie? Jen? Kira?
"Hi, girls," I smile lamely - and then scurry off to find the school yearbook.
Recently, I was in a local insurance office when a young woman ran in, eyes filled with glee. "Mr. Schachter!" she cried, throwing her arms around me. I stepped back, looked at her, trying to find a clue, a hint, anything. Sensing my confusion, she said helpfully, "It's me, Lindsay!"
"Lindsay!" I cheered. "How are you, Lindsay Pegrum?"
"No, it's Lindsay SEIDER."
I was immediately deflated and embarrassed.
This Lindsay - whom I had had a few years earlier in class - was no anonymous, blended-into-the-woodwork student. She was one of the all-time most wonderful kids. I felt so bad I sent her a note of apology.
And, this struggle just doesn't occur with my students. I have the same problem with my colleagues. In the past three years, we've hired so many new teachers, I can barely keep up with their names. And, they are so young (I think the average age of the faculty is now about 15).
But, fortunately, in that first year, most of them seemed to be named Jessica. The second year brought a wave of Michelles. It took me awhile, but I was able to learn their names.
But, then they did something that I really can't forgive them for: They went out and got married - and took their husbands' names! Michelle Lever became Michelle MacLellan (I think). Jessica Berner became Jessica McKinney (I think). Jessica Hoffman became Jessica McNally (I think). I was grateful for Jessica Donovan. She married Miguel Ortiz and . . . remained Jessica Donovan. Bless you, Jess!
And, what's going to happen when I hit 60? What malady will strike me then? Oh, I'm worrying too much. Maybe I'll go see our school psychologist Richard McKee. Or is it Roger McKee? Rex McKee?
Sigh. Life was easier when I was just losing my hair.
