Teachers - do you mind being called by your first name (by parents)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Call me Sir, godammit!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there any other profession where it is still common to use last names (other than doctors)? Teachers are actually aging themselves and making themselves look less professional by insisting on the usage of last names.

Disagree. It is a matter of respect. When kids are on teams, it's "Coach ___," etc. When they meet a friend's parents, it's Mr and Mrs Lastname until they say otherwise.

[Anonymous]

We're talking about forms of address used by adults, not kids.

[Anonymous]

My DC's young teacher pleaded to being called by her first name. At first we felt that she was trying to be friendly and would be more open with parents because of this, but it turned out she got defensive easily and really wasn't comfortable working with parents. I learned that a teacher's name does not show how they want to be treated in conversations. It's been much easier dealing with an older teacher who wants to be called Mrs. and is able to easily communicate with parents after many years of teaching.

[Anonymous]

I'm old school: use the title. It sets a tone of respect. Especially, in these times when every parent wants control.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've always referred to my kids' teachers by their first names (while referring to them in front of my kids by Ms. XYZ.) And I always sign letters/notes to them with my (and DHs) first names. I am not trying to be BFFs, but since we are both adults, I find it acceptable.

There is an old school culture in DC where people are still referred to as Ms. XYZ to each other. I get e-mails and calls daily referencing me as Ms. XYZ and it doesn't stop until I outright say, "Please call me (first name.)" And this is among peers at other agencies. It is a DC thing.

I think this is true.

[Anonymous]

I agree this is a DC thing.

I've been a teacher for a very long time. I have always introduced myself by my first name to both students and parents. I have never worried about respect. I'm a professional who earns the respect of parents and students by the good work I do and in the high expectations I have for my students. Never had a problem with respect and never encountered a parent who had an issue with my first name.

Here, I occasionally get parents who insist on calling me Ms LastName, even when I introduce myself by my first name. Students seem more comfortable with my first name, but many of them still call me Miss First Name. which is another DC thing.

I call parents whatever they want to be called. If they introduce themselves as Dr Whoever, I'll call them Dr Whoever. I don't care. Names and titles don't matter to me, but if they matter to you, cool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You address friends by their first names. Teachers are not your friends and should not be treated as such. Keep the relationship professional by addressing him/her as'mr., mrs., miss' etc

I agree.

I am a teacher and prefer Ms. To blur those boundaries is unprofessional. I am your child's teacher.

Do you call your child's pediatrician by his/her first name, or is it Dr. So and So?

your dentist?

When I hear teachers saying it's fine to be that friendly with parents, I am appalled.

Teachers, do you want Jane Doe to email you by addressing you as Larla and then ripping you a new asshole b/c Johnny Boo Hoo earned himself a D?

No wonder the general public thinks we're idiots.

[Anonymous]

Also, agree. When you get on a first name basis, you sometimes lose the professionalism. Maybe, not in all cases. I cannot imagine the kids calling me by my first name.

[Anonymous]

I address my child's teachers by their first name, and correct them Every.Single.Time they call me Mrs. Lastname.

Thirty years ago, my boss was Mr. Name to his entire staff. My current boss is Firstname to all of us.

Times change. Unless the teacher has a PhD, I use their first name. Anything else feels artificial to me.

[Anonymous]

Unless the teacher has a PhD, I use their first name.

What does a PhD have to do with it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Taught school. I cannot imagine having the kids use my first name. It's the same as dressing appropriately. If your are dressed better, you behave better.

Citations, please?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Unless the teacher has a PhD, I use their first name.

What does a PhD have to do with it?

I am also puzzled by this.

[Anonymous]

So you just ASSUME that Mrs. Jackson would prefer to be addressed as Joy?

And then if JOY calls you Mrs. Jackass, you promptly correct her by saying, "I am Dharma. Please do no feel the need to use Mrs. or Ms."

Is that how it goes?

Anonymous wrote:I address my child's teachers by their first name, and correct them Every.Single.Time they call me Mrs. Lastname.

Thirty years ago, my boss was Mr. Name to his entire staff. My current boss is Firstname to all of us.

Times change. Unless the teacher has a PhD, I use their first name. Anything else feels artificial to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Unless the teacher has a PhD, I use their first name.

What does a PhD have to do with it?

Then they get to be called Dr. Name.

(PhD poster from original quote here.)