How do you address elementary school teachers?

[Anonymous]

I address the parents by their last name and expect the same in return unless I tell you to use my first name. We (teachers) even refer to one another by last name out of habit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Always Mr/Ms unless they sign emails with their first name.

+1

I use their last name until they use their first name. Then I use their first name (to them -- I always refer to them as Mr/Ms when speaking to my kid). And actually, I use their last name when referring to them with someone else (another parent at the school, my spouse, etc.) because then it's totally clear who they are. ("Is your son in Ms. Smith's class?" "I got a note from Mr. Jones that we need to send in more pencils.")

This.

Same

+1. DD’s teacher always signs them Ms. Last Name so I will call her that this year. I’m a teacher and prefer parents call me my first name. I would not say anything over email but if we meet in person and you say Hello, Ms. Last I’d respond with please call me Larla.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I address the parents by their last name and expect the same in return unless I tell you to use my first name. We (teachers) even refer to one another by last name out of habit.

I’m the above poster. I don’t know any teachers that call each other by last names. Where do you work? I’ve been in three schools and have not seen this.

[Anonymous]

I prefer teachers to call me by my first name. I still use Ms/Me for them.

[Anonymous]

I am a white parent addressing a Black authority figure. Always Ms. [lastname] unless/until she asks for something else.

[Anonymous]

Whatever my kids call them. Until the teacher says "Oh, call me Lauren." And then I call them Lauren.

[Anonymous]

Even if a teacher signs an email to me with their first name, I still email them Mr/Ms (and if they specifically go by Mrs, I use that). I think the school setting is just different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a white parent addressing a Black authority figure. Always Ms. [lastname] unless/until she asks for something else.

They're not YOUR authority. They're your child's authority.

[Anonymous]

Always Mr./Ms. Whatever, unless they specifically request otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Always Ms. unless I know they are married then Mrs. and their last name. Even teachers I'm friendly with I always use their last name when addressing them either in person or via email. I teach my daughter to do the same with all adults in her life. Unless they have said they prefer salutation and first name. Her cello teacher prefers Mr. First Name.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whatever you call them doesn't matter to me as long as you don't act too familiar. I really dislike the school environment, when a parent befriends their kid's teacher. Keep it professional.

+1… I find it very bizarre when I find social media photos of parents and teachers hanging out together outside of school hours. If it’s an event or fundraiser that’s one thing.. but at someone’s private home?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a white parent addressing a Black authority figure. Always Ms. [lastname] unless/until she asks for something else.

They're not YOUR authority. They're your child's authority.

That’s how you see it, I understand. It’s not how I see it.

[Anonymous]

If I’m talking about my DD’s teacher in front of her I use Ms/Mrs, but if I’m emailing her I will address her using her first name. I wouldn’t expect a teacher to call me Ms/Mrs X. We’re both adults. I’m not too familiar, but it seems overly formal to call her by her last name - especially if she’s younger than me, which a lot of the teachers seem to be! Of course if a teacher signs their email Mr/Ms, I wouldn’t use their first name. My DD school seems less formal so it’s rare that a teacher would.

[Anonymous]

This thread made me realize I don't know my kid's teacher's last name. Ms or Mr FirstName is norm at our school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a white parent addressing a Black authority figure. Always Ms. [lastname] unless/until she asks for something else.

They're not YOUR authority. They're your child's authority.

That’s how you see it, I understand. It’s not how I see it.

It's weirdly patronizing and trying really hard. Why can't you just be a parent addressing a teacher? I promise, it's fine for you just to address your child's teacher by Ms. and not bring the white parent/Black authority figure part.