Tweet

Is It Important to Remember Students’ Names? Advice for Substitute Teachers

By Barbara PressmancloseAuthor: Barbara Pressman Name: Barbara Pressman
Site: http://www.substituteteachingatoz.com
About: Barbara Pressman is an adjunct professor at the College of Education, Florida Atlantic University. She has been a classroom teacher for more than 20 years, and a supervisor for student teachers for 10 years. She currently mentors Substitute Teachers as well. When asked how she came to be interested in writing for substitute teachers she responded: I have subbed for many years during my teaching career. When my children were small, I found subbing to be a wonderful "free lance" job. At that time, I took on a 6th grade long term subbing assignment, which led me back to full time teaching. Upon retirement, I went back to subbing once again. Barbara is the author of book Substitute Teaching from A to Z (McGraw-Hill, 2008), available in all major bookstores and Amazon.com. To find out more, visit: www.substituteteachingatoz.comSee Authors Posts (32)

Is it really important for me to remember students’ names?

Dear Barbara,

Each time I go into a new classroom, I find it very challenging to try to remember the students’ names. And if I call someone by the wrong name, they all laugh! Sometimes I avoid using their names, but that doesn’t seem to work either.

I’d like to remember names, but I’m just not good at it.

Sam from Teaneck, NJ

Dear Sam,

It’s almost impossible to be an effective teacher without using students’ names. The personal touch you get from calling someone by their name is a very effective tool that good teachers use.

Teachers should leave you a seating chart or have nametags on desks. However, as the year goes on, nametags fall off and seating arrangements change. So you need some techniques of you own.

Here are some tricks that work:

1. As students file into the room, introduce yourself and ask their names. Repeat the name immediately. “Hi Marcus, nice to meet you.”
2. When students are doing their work, walk around the room, see the name of the paper, and say, “Nice work Alex.”
3. Bring in a package of sticky nametags. Before students arrive, look at the attendance sheet and make a nametag for each student. As you take attendance, have students come up and take their nametag.
4. Keep a little “cheat sheet” at your desk. When you learn a name, write it down with a description of the student. Refer back when you need to. This is helpful for those students who need extra attention.
5. Work out a secret code in your head. For example, Rhonda is very helpful. Sing the song to yourself, “Help me Rhonda” and you’ll always remember her name.
   You only need to use a few names to give yourself credibility. When students see that you remember and use names, they see you as a “with it” teacher who is capable and caring.

Barbara