Memory Issues (08-31-09)

This is the time of year that my memory gets tested the most. While absence may make the heart grow fonder, it plays havoc on my mind.

Three months, while not a long time for adults, can be a very long time in the life of a child. My own son grew an inch and a half over the summer, and he hasn’t even hit a growth spurt. Those growing rapidly can gain several inches over the summer, leaving school in May the same height as their classmates, returning to school as one of the tallest in their class. Whereas my previous perspective had been the top of their head, now I am looking them in the eyes, without having to lean over. All this makes recognition that much more of a challenge!

There are times I think I can actually hear the wheels spinning in my head. I’ll see a familiar face. I’ll instantly know the last name, the name of a sibling, and for some odd reason, I’ll know where Mom works. However, the most important piece of information, the name of the student, escapes me.

Or I’ll see a student and think I know the name, only to embarrass myself by calling the student by the name of their older sister, or sometimes by the name of another student entirely. Sometimes, I know the name, but I can’t recall what grade they are in.

I take a lot of pride in my knowledge of the names of my students. I believe that it is the first duty of any administrator: be able to call every student by name. But it is far from easy, and with each passing year, it seems to get more difficult.

If my brain were a computer, it would be Commodore 64, vintage 1986. I grew up in the days of three channels on the television, black and white video games, and no VCR’s, DVD’s, or Internet. “Multi-tasking” meant walking AND chewing gum.

So even in my mental prime, my memory recall was always a tad slow. My disk drive chugs along, and yes, it will retrieve the data eventually. You just may have to time it with an hour-glass.

Last week found me working at the recall of names. I think the students enjoy this interaction. In the hallways before school, or during lunch, I’ll go up and down a line of students, doing my best to name them. Some kids love to give me hints such as a first letter, or the name of a sibling. After I get the names of all the students in the group, I go back over the line a couple of more time to cement the names in the quicksand of my mind.

Repetition is the key. I have memorized entire play scripts, simply by saying the lines over and over, usually aloud, while pacing alone in a room. I add inflection and some dramatic emphasis to provide context. Memorizing the names of students isn’t much different. Knowing the family, the teachers, the hobbies and activities, favorite colors and favorite foods, all of these are little handles for me to grasp to pull the suitcase of information out of the mineshaft of my memory.

I ask the students for their patience. I am not getting any younger, and my memory is not getting any sharper. I am thankful that I work with such understanding people. Yeah, they may laugh at my mistakes, but they are patient. They know I’ll get their names down soon. In the meantime, like an old computer, I just keep plugging away.

Oh, and one more thing…uhm…it was just on the tip of my tongue…what I wanted to say was…uhm…well I guess I forgot. I hope I can remember what I was going to write in time for next week’s column!