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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to ask if teachers remember??!

57 replies

nycarchives · 11/07/2019 17:07

Hi all, just curious if teachers remember old pupils in a sense of if a former pupil emailed them or similar years after they finished Y11 or Y13, would you recognise their name/picture or remember anything about them??

I ask this because I have two DC who are out of school.

DD is 19 and done with the second year of university. She’s in the same Oxford College as her old Geography teacher was in and wants to email her to let her know how everything’s going and see how she’s doing. DD was very popular in school, had behavioural issues along with her disruptive but really loving group and got on with few teachers as a result of the high maintenance behaviour. Geography teacher was young, in her first teaching job and already fairly senior in the school and took a liking to DD and friendship group as they were all similar to her personality wise etc. DD went on 3 residentials with her abroad and they all bonded over similar interests and crazy experiences on the trips which to be fair were really a bit of a jolly. She taught DD from a 12 year old in Y8 up to Y11 when she was 16 and finished her GCSES.

DD isn’t sure if she will remember her but hopes she will.

AIBU to ask if you think there is any point in DD getting back in touch or not as when DD is let down (as she will be if said teacher doesn’t remember her after 4 years) she takes it to heart and can get quite emotional and upset over it.

OP posts:

Original poster

nycarchives · 11/07/2019 17:08

Ahh mistake, I do have two DC out of school (and one in school, mind you!) but that isn’t relevant so just ignore that short paragraph on it please!

OP posts:

forevercurious · 11/07/2019 17:09

I definitely think she’d remember. I remember the four year olds I supported in the first year I worked at a school and they are all heading to senior school in September.

madrose · 11/07/2019 17:10

Get her to get in touch, I love hearing from previous students. Makes it all worth while.

LittleLongDog · 11/07/2019 17:11

That sounds lovely. I’m sure she’ll remember. Does your DD definitely have the correct contact details for her?

bridgetreilly · 11/07/2019 17:11

Yes, when it's been such a short time as that, they certainly will. I would always just include a little prompt to remind the teacher when/where they know you from.

WonkoTheSane42 · 11/07/2019 17:11

I’m a teacher - I don’t remember all my pupils 4 years on but I’d almost certainly remember one I’d taught for many years and had a good relationship with. So yeah, I’d say there’s a good chance the teacher would remember her.

herculepoirot2 · 11/07/2019 17:12

If I liked and got on with a student, yes.

Pipandmum · 11/07/2019 17:12

Yes she’ll remember. And I’m sure she’ll be very touched that a former pupil wants to get in touch and say how much she was inspired by her! It will probably make her summer!

LL83 · 11/07/2019 17:12

Yes email. 4 years that long. My mum meets people 30-40 years later in the supermarket who she taught at primary.

Some she remembers immediately, others she chit chats politely then it comes back, others she doesn't remember but is friendly and happy they have remembered her and glad to hear how they are doing.

Rainuntilseptember15 · 11/07/2019 17:13

I can guarantee that if the teacher doesn't remember they won't let on!
Given what you describe I think she will be remembered, but it would be thoughtful to put some clues in the email - who was in the class with you, the trips, and old photo would be excellent. I can remember students I haven't taught for about 20 years - only some though, the nicer kids are easier to forget!

KellyMarieTunstall2 · 11/07/2019 17:14

My younger sister got in touch with her school history teacher after she graduated, just to thank him for inspiring her. It was 5 years but he remembered her.

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 11/07/2019 17:15

I remember children I taught years and years ago. One or two for the wrong reasons.

If some of those I taught more recently got in touch and let me know how they were doing, I’d be pleased.

Pinktinker · 11/07/2019 17:16

I remember a fair few of my former students, yes and it would be lovely to hear they were doing so well.

I got in touch with my former history teacher a few years ago on social media to thank him for encouraging me to become a teacher myself. He really appreciated it.

fleshmarketclose · 11/07/2019 17:21

I still get asked about my dc when I bump into teachers who taught them in Primary. My dc are 24 to 32. I'm taking it as a sign I haven't aged too badly
Ds at one time worked in school support in his Local Government role. He said lots of times teachers and headteachers would ask if he was the child they had once taught.
Some teachers must have the memory of an elephant if my experience is anything to go by.

Original poster

nycarchives · 11/07/2019 17:21

@LittleLongDog She has her school email address and according to her friends little brother (who isn’t taught by her but knows of her) she’s still at the school so it should be right, hopefully anyway!

@Pipandmum Ahh hopefully, she really did makes a magnificent impact on DD’s behaviour and attitude to learning so I would love for her to be pleased with DD getting in touch

OP posts:

Original poster

nycarchives · 11/07/2019 17:24

@Pinktinker Do you think it’s more likely that teachers will remember badly behaved, well known in the staff rooms students? If so, then as DD and friends did have their moments she will probably be remembered! It’s very understandable but quite sad as I have another DD who is still in school and much better behaved, less well known etc and she probably won’t be as memorable as DD1. Although I do get why that is.

OP posts:

Lancelottie · 11/07/2019 17:26

the nicer kids are easier to forget!

My English teacher remembered me (and could name my best mate) after 30 years.

Oh dear.

Bubblysqueak · 11/07/2019 17:27

Yes she'll remember. Today I saw a child I looked after at preschool. He had driven to school in his own car to collect his child! Not only did I remember him but also recognised him. I now feel old!

TremblingFanjo · 11/07/2019 17:27

We went to the local secondary school's open evening for prospective pupils and during the presentation the head welcomed - by name - the old pupils who had come back with their Yr 6 children.

Now that was impressive.

CanoeDoYouThinkYouAre · 11/07/2019 17:32

Not sure what the relevance of your daughter's popularity and badly behaved group of friends is op?

I'm sure teachers don't just remember the popular kids.

BruceFoxton · 11/07/2019 17:33

I've been teaching 26 years and I can remember most of the kids I've taught.

herculepoirot2 · 11/07/2019 17:34

Oh no, it’s you! We’ve all been had 😂😂😂

herculepoirot2 · 11/07/2019 17:34

Good one, OP. Reeled in like a haddock, I was.

Iwantacookie · 11/07/2019 17:34

They definitely remember. My dd is a double of me at her age and when we went to look round at high schools one of the teachers was still there. I went up and said hi you probably don't remember me when she cut in "I certainly do remember you I want a cookie"
Not sure if that's a good or a bad thing though

CanoeDoYouThinkYouAre · 11/07/2019 17:35

Hercule

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