Would a teacher be offended by this?

Question

I'm applying to college and need to get teacher recommendations. I'm planning to email my English teacher from junior year, and my letter begins with "I'm not sure if you remember me, but I was in your ____ class last year". Would that be offensive to the teacher? Should I take this line out?

Answer 1

no, it reminds your teacher who you are.

that's fine. your e-mail is most likely way away from your name.

she'll be happy to hear from you.

Answer 2

Yeah right take the line out and be up front

Answer 3

I don't think the teacher would be offended but there are better ways of writing it.

How about: I'm seeking recommendations for my application to college and as a teacher that taught me in class __ last year, i would be very appreciative if you could aid me in obtaining a recommendation.

The formality of the text shows that you are a mature student with great professionalism.

Good Luck with college!

Answer 4

its better to just go up to that teacher. aproach him/ her. it feels right.

sending an email feels distant..and they might not give u as a good a recommendation as if u were to approach them and talk to them..pplus its polite that way.

Answer 5

I don't know why it would be offensive. But it doesn't really make sense to have the line in. Do you want them to guess or something?

But if you want to I think it would be fine.

Answer 6

Take the im not sure if you remember me line out, it might offend him/her and you gain nothing from it if he/she is not offended.

Do leave in the stuff about when you were in his/her class though.

Answer 7

I'm not even sure what your talking about.

Answer 8

If i was the teacher i would'nt be offended.It depends hpw the teacher is.

Answer 9

No. Thats fairly polite.  

Answer 10

It's not offensive, but it doesn't exactly give the right impression. You should be selecting teachers who are familiar with your level of school work and your character, not teachers you aren't sure would even remember you from a year ago. Asking that question might make the teacher wonder why you are selecting them, if you are so unsure whether you made any impression at all upon them.

This teacher probably does remember you, so be more confident in yourself!  If you are still in the same school as this teacher it would probably be best if you could approach him or her in person, even just a quick hello in the hall, before you send the email, to jog their memory. And if they clearly do remember you when you say hi, tell them that you really enjoyed their class and ask if they would be willing to write a recommendation for college for you. Most teachers are happy to help their students in this way.

Be confident! Good luck!

Answer 11

No. Because Teachers have hundreds of students. I think it sounds reasonable.

Answer 12

If its a nice outgoing teacher than that would be really good but if its a teacher that is all about education than maybe you could start it like "As I was thinking about my future you came to mind for a person i could count on to help me.."

Answer 13

Of course not!

High school teachers have like 300 or even more students each year. It's hard to remember everybody.

Answer 14

PROBABLY NOT Y WOULD IT BE  

Answer 15

No, I dont think that would be offensive at all, Because maybe they really dnt rememeber you. Id use it!

Answer 16

I don't think it's offensive, but if you want, you could reword it with, " I hope you remember me; I was in your ________ class last year."

Good luck with your applications!

Answer 17

haha. yeah

Answer 18

Lily, I'm a teacher and I don't think so.  No, I wouldn't take it out cuz unlike me, teachers can't remember every Tom, d**k and Lily.  Good luck in college!!!

Answer 19

It's not necessary and could be offensive. just start with something like Hi, I'm NAME and I was in your class last year. at the end, apologize for not asking her for a rec at the end of last year.

Answer 20

I think it's fine if you weren't particularly close with this teacher. But if you were pretty close than maybe it's not the best idea. Even if you were close I think it would be fine.