What's the Big Deal with Students Addressing Teachers By First Name?

[Anonymous]

I've seen dozens of passionate posters about this topic. Some going so far as to suggest they'd completely rule out a school (e.g., GDS) b/c kids can address teachers by first name.

Really? Is it that big a deal? Curious to hear what detractors are so worried about...

[Anonymous]

Ick.

Because, Noni, it's disrespectful.

[Anonymous]

Not sure if all but most progressive schools use first names as it's part of the theory/history of progressive educations. We were in one and didn't see it as an issue although I wasn't thrilled with my child's friends calling me by my first name.

In new school now that is very formal. Child made easy transition to using Mr./Ms./Mrs.

[Anonymous]

I've always been fascinated by this as well. I'm a high school teacher and have taught at traditional "ms. so and so" schools, and schools where students called us by our first names. I have to say the more respectful students by and large were at the schools that called us by our first names. They usually thanked me for a good class as they exited my classroom. I never had any issues with the first name thing at all. I really don't see how it's disrespectful.

Teachers don't gain repsect from having students call them by a title. I've seen a whole lot of disrespect thrown at teachers. They gain it through their interaction with their students.

[Anonymous]

The practice of calling adults by first name is just not for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure if all but most progressive schools use first names as it's part of the theory/history of progressive educations. We were in one and didn't see it as an issue although I wasn't thrilled with my child's friends calling me by my first name.

In new school now that is very formal. Child made easy transition to using Mr./Ms./Mrs.

We were in a progressive school as well and in the middle school (starting in 6th grade) it was all Mr/Ms/Mrs. In pk-5 it was mixed depending on teacher preference but it leaned more towards titles than not.

[Anonymous]

The practice of calling adults by first name is just not for us.

Just wanted to say that this is one of the nicest responses I've seen on a thread with differing, strong opinions. Very thoughtful and not attacking others. Wish we had more of that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The practice of calling adults by first name is just not for us.

Can you elaborate why you feel this way? Do you think it creates bad habits? Are there any long-term effects?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The practice of calling adults by first name is just not for us.

Is it a deal breaker when you are deciding which schools to/not to apply your DC?

[Anonymous]

Have friends who teach at GDS and generally love the school, but they believe the first name rule does foster a lack of respect. Other teachers are indifferent or like it, though--so even in the community views are mixed.

[Anonymous]

I've worked in schools that use first names, Mr. Last Name, and even Mr. First Name. So I've seen it all. I don't think the name itself is that important. There is so much more that goes into the attitudes a student will develop towards his/her teachers and school in general. There are a lot of ways to teach respect in general and specifically respect towards elders and/or authority figures. Naming is one. But there are others. I realize that different families and cultures view this differently. I don't think there is a "right" answer. Parents should make sure they are comfortable with whatever the environment the school promotes is, including the naming of teachers.

Interestingly enough, at my current school where I go by my first name, a parent informed me that she still requires her daughter to refer to me as "Mr. First Name" when discussing school at home, because she prefers the Mr part. (She sticks with the first name only so as not to confuse the girl, who is in Pre-K). Anyway, I think it was a creative way for her to embrace the culture of the school and still maintain her own preferences. So, there are a lot of ways to handle it.

I would caution against making it a litmus test for a school, only because it is but a small piece of how a school develops its culture. But, if a family decides it is that important to them, I respect that decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ick.

Because, Noni, it's disrespectful.

what is "noni"

[Anonymous]

Did anybody call their college professors by their first names? At my college we called them "Mr. and Ms. So-and-So," which was supposed to be a bow to egalitarianism, since they otherwise would have been called "Doctor." It must be odd to go from a school such as GDS where you call teachers by their first names to a college or university where you have to use titles, even though both you and the teacher are, for the first time, both techinically adults.

[Anonymous]

At the college/university level, the nomenclature used is an indication of the relationship between instructor and student. The fact that everyone on campus is an adult is inconsequential. That is why on some campuses, even instructors who have yet to earn the doctorate are called "Professor." Just to clarify, no one who has not earned the doctorate is referred to as "Doctor," but many are referred to as "Professor."

[Anonymous]

As a professor, I see students who show respect and those who do not--and the difference does not hinge upon whether or not students call me by my first name. I allow students to call me Prof, Dr, Ms, or First Name. When students email me, they show disrespect by addressing me "Yo Prof!" (seriously), rather than "Dear First Name." It's all context.