How do you address elementary school teachers?

[Anonymous]

I received an email today from my son’s teacher addressed to My First Name. He signed it Mr. Last Name. I’m old enough to be teacher’s mother. I did reply back Mr. Last Name and signed it with My First Name, but was totally annoyed. If you’re going to call me by my first name, then sign your first name. Otherwise, I’m Mrs Last Name and you’re Mr. Last Name.

[Anonymous]

My kid's teacher emailed me and called me by my first name so she'll get the same treatment.

[Anonymous]

I treat them as any other adult I meet professionally. Mr/Mrs/Ms last name. When they tell me - or use via email - their first name, then I'm fine with it as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just find it hard to believe that people are talking to their cardiologist’s front desk staff and saying “I need to Barb next week for a follow up.”

This made me LOL.

[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.

Why do you care what other parents do?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I’m not asking for your advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First name, I’m an adult talking to another adult. My kids say “Mr/Mrs” unless the teacher requests otherwise.

No. We aren’t friends. I’m not your employee. When parents call me by my first name I make sure to let them know I go by Ms. Lastname. I am a professional speaking to you as a professional, not your teenage babysitter. And I don’t call parents by their first names either.

[Anonymous]

Always Ms.X or Mr.X.
Mostly out of convenience but also bc I’m not overly friendly with their teachers and prefer to keep it professional

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mr/Ms first name is the convention at my child's school. I use those in emails. Face to Face I use the teacher's first name.

lol. I do this with my gastroenterologist, but that’s because I know him personally and it’s hard to break the habit. It confuses the front desk staff.

I’ll note that it is very common to use the first names of mid-level providers, namely nurse practitioners and physician assistants. I don’t see why it would be strange to do the same with teachers. Vaguely similar, I don’t know anyone that actually uses the “Dr” title with a PhD, save for a few people only in the context of speaking to students in a college-level class. No one introduces themselves with that term, and it very uncommon for others to introduce them with that title.

Teachers seem to be the odd one out here. Both for “Ms/Mr” and frequently using “Dr” in relatively informal settings for a PhD and especially lower-level doctorate degrees like an EdD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mr/Ms first name is the convention at my child's school. I use those in emails. Face to Face I use the teacher's first name.

lol. I do this with my gastroenterologist, but that’s because I know him personally and it’s hard to break the habit. It confuses the front desk staff.

I’ll note that it is very common to use the first names of mid-level providers, namely nurse practitioners and physician assistants. I don’t see why it would be strange to do the same with teachers. Vaguely similar, I don’t know anyone that actually uses the “Dr” title with a PhD, save for a few people only in the context of speaking to students in a college-level class. No one introduces themselves with that term, and it very uncommon for others to introduce them with that title.

Teachers seem to be the odd one out here. Both for “Ms/Mr” and frequently using “Dr” in relatively informal settings for a PhD and especially lower-level doctorate degrees like an EdD.

Teachers aren't "mid-level providers".

[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.

Okay. Sounds like we'll just agree to disagree on this one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First name, I’m an adult talking to another adult. My kids say “Mr/Mrs” unless the teacher requests otherwise.

No. We aren’t friends. I’m not your employee. When parents call me by my first name I make sure to let them know I go by Ms. Lastname. I am a professional speaking to you as a professional, not your teenage babysitter. And I don’t call parents by their first names either.

You won't call a parent by their first name even if they ask you to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mr/Ms first name is the convention at my child's school. I use those in emails. Face to Face I use the teacher's first name.

lol. I do this with my gastroenterologist, but that’s because I know him personally and it’s hard to break the habit. It confuses the front desk staff.

I’ll note that it is very common to use the first names of mid-level providers, namely nurse practitioners and physician assistants. I don’t see why it would be strange to do the same with teachers. Vaguely similar, I don’t know anyone that actually uses the “Dr” title with a PhD, save for a few people only in the context of speaking to students in a college-level class. No one introduces themselves with that term, and it very uncommon for others to introduce them with that title.

Teachers seem to be the odd one out here. Both for “Ms/Mr” and frequently using “Dr” in relatively informal settings for a PhD and especially lower-level doctorate degrees like an EdD.

I find the Dr part hilarious. I know a few teachers with PhDs and most got them part time from the easiest program they could find just for the pay bump.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I received an email today from my son’s teacher addressed to My First Name. He signed it Mr. Last Name. I’m old enough to be teacher’s mother. I did reply back Mr. Last Name and signed it with My First Name, but was totally annoyed. If you’re going to call me by my first name, then sign your first name. Otherwise, I’m Mrs Last Name and you’re Mr. Last Name.

You could have just written dear First Name. To me someone using my first name is usually an open door to do the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mr/Ms first name is the convention at my child's school. I use those in emails. Face to Face I use the teacher's first name.

lol. I do this with my gastroenterologist, but that’s because I know him personally and it’s hard to break the habit. It confuses the front desk staff.

I’ll note that it is very common to use the first names of mid-level providers, namely nurse practitioners and physician assistants. I don’t see why it would be strange to do the same with teachers. Vaguely similar, I don’t know anyone that actually uses the “Dr” title with a PhD, save for a few people only in the context of speaking to students in a college-level class. No one introduces themselves with that term, and it very uncommon for others to introduce them with that title.

Teachers seem to be the odd one out here. Both for “Ms/Mr” and frequently using “Dr” in relatively informal settings for a PhD and especially lower-level doctorate degrees like an EdD.

Teachers aren't "mid-level providers".

Right. They've had less training in less rigorous programs. Which means it makes even less sense to not use their first name.