Second Grade

Maria lived in a small community with one elementary school. In this school, there were only a few classrooms for each grade. Many of the teachers worked in the school for a very long time. Maria's older sisters and brother went to this school before Maria and knew many of the teachers. In fact, Katrina (Maria's oldest sister) had the same second grade teacher as Maria - but five years earlier.

Now it is important to note here that Maria and her brothers and sisters all looked very much alike. In fact, sometimes it was hard to tell Maria and Katrina apart in old photographs.

The first day that Maria went to second grade, the teacher called role to start the day and to get to know her students' names. When she called Maria, Maria raised her hand and said. "Here." The teacher looked closely at Maria. Then she said, "You look very much like a little girl I taught before named Katrina."

Maria smiled and said, "Yes, Katrina is my older sister."

The teacher smiled and moved on to the next name on the role.

Over the next few months, Maria was happy in school, but disappointed that the teacher never called on her for questions. In fact, the teacher barely said Maria's name ever.

One day, Maria's mother was called into school for a parent/teacher conference. Maria's teacher had scheduled a meeting with Maria's mother to discuss Maria's progress in second grade.

Maria's mother came home very worried about Maria. She asked Maria to sit down and asked her why she was not listening to the teacher. Maria's mother told her that the teacher has repeatedly called her name and Maria has ignored her.

Maria was surprised and said, "Mother, I do listen to the teacher. I always answer the teacher when she calls my name."

Maria's mother was baffled. She called the teacher and talked with her some more. In the middle of the conversation, the teacher asked Maria's mother to encourage Katrina to pay more attention. It was at that moment that her mother realized that the teacher had been calling Maria - Katrina.

Maria and her mother had a plan. When Maria returned to school, she began to answer to both Katrina and Maria. When he teacher would call Katrina, Maria would ask her if she meant Maria. The teacher began to realize her mistake and Maria was never accused of not paying attention again.