The other day, someone tried to "friend" me on Facebook. Apparently, we graduated from high school together... but I had no idea who it was. I mean, the name was posted on the profile, but I didn't recognize it at all. I had to dig out my old yearbook - the one I keep telling my students I've lost - to look this person up. Didn't work. The first name was really common in that era and the picture wasn't any help either. I finally just clicked "accept", because who wants to get a reputation of being a Facebook denier (is that a word) back in my hometown?
The reason I tell my students I lost it? They're utterly fascinated with seeing it. They want to see my hideous photos and laugh at everyones hair styles. Hey, I laugh too! But really, do I want them to see cute boys labeled? Or the copious drug and alcohol references? Sure it was all talk, but that's just not something I want to share. I'm just glad I don't teach in my hometown. They display all senior photos in the class for every year along the hallways. I went to school looking at my stepmom's 1970s flip and her father's 1940s ducktail posted above lockers and doorways. For some reason, the school where I teach doesn't do that for any class. I think the staff may just be protecting their reputations - over half are local graduates.
Would you share your senior yearbook with your students?
The reason I tell my students I lost it? They're utterly fascinated with seeing it. They want to see my hideous photos and laugh at everyones hair styles. Hey, I laugh too! But really, do I want them to see cute boys labeled? Or the copious drug and alcohol references? Sure it was all talk, but that's just not something I want to share. I'm just glad I don't teach in my hometown. They display all senior photos in the class for every year along the hallways. I went to school looking at my stepmom's 1970s flip and her father's 1940s ducktail posted above lockers and doorways. For some reason, the school where I teach doesn't do that for any class. I think the staff may just be protecting their reputations - over half are local graduates.
Would you share your senior yearbook with your students?
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