Navigating 170 Student Names: A Teacher’s Journey of Memory and Connection

I have 170 students. It’s hard. I’ve tried. That’s my cat. His name is sly. I would tell you that in the first three weeks of school, it is a survival game for me. Student Information system has pictures in it of all of the students, but in the first three weeks of school, it’s their photo from the previous school year. Try to remember names. I try, but if they’re not sitting in their seats in my classroom, I will see them and I’ll be like, you’re not being helpful, buddy. See them. And I’ll be, hi, you. I know that they’re my student. I recognize them as my student. Start trying to put it together. But I am just honest with my students that it’s gonna take me a minute to fully flesh that out and fully figure that. Student information system is helpful. Tying a personality trait to each student is helpful. He is not helpful. At 170 kids, they tend to look at this. I can’t. With 170 students, it takes a long time. Just. Just let them know that you love them. Just be there for them. They’re gonna love you. Don’t be nervous. I now have a cat. But my face. They’re gonna love you no matter what. You will eventually learn their names. I promise. I don’t know, I. I really should edit this video, but honestly, this is. This is. This is my life. This is where we’re at right now.