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

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

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Using first names should really be the norm particularly if both parties plan to make the relationship a collaborative one in terms of the student's/child's education. I agree also that it puts everyone at ease.  I do feel that many teachers, particularly younger professionals, feel that respect is found in a title or name.  It is not--respect is found in how we treat each other as humans in a professional or even in a casual setting.   That includes the teacher to parent relationship which in best practice is a collaborative and familiar one.  In professional settings, bosses and employees in the US call each other by their first names as the standard in the white collar world.  School board members are typically also addressed by parents in the community by their first names, so teachers and administrators should see this as a best practice and follow suit.  Insisting that parents address teachers formally (when in the teachers lounge, during staff meetings etc. they all call each other by their first names) is rather fraternal and can easily be taken as a wall being put up to keep parents out of the institutional side of education.  It is sometimes referred to as keeping a "healthy professional distance", as though that is not an oxymoron. First names foster mutual respect and a collaborative partnership.  Formally addressing people can come off as extremely elitist, and fraternal.  I believe that parents should refer to teachers formally in front of their children or other students--but when parents and teachers are having conferences, phone calls, meetings and emails first names should always be used.  [/quote]

I don’t quibble with the general point of this post but am confused by your use of the term “fraternal.”  My understanding of it is that it means “brotherly.” Surely it is more brotherly to call someone by their first name, rather than their last name, as you seem to be suggesting? I don’t mean to be a dick, I just don’t understand. [/quote]

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