Calling Teachers by first names--should it be allowed?

[Joshua Farrell]

Out of all the schools I went to, most of the teachers went by Mr. or Mrs.. The only time I was allowed to call them by their first names, was when school was out, or if they personally didn't care about what you called them by.

 

[AnAccount]

Funny thing to this debate. My friend called one of her teachers by Mrs. Thorn, but got in trouble because my friend wasn't calling her by her first name. :shrug:

That is strange, when you stop and think about it. I mean, what teacher would not want their students calling them by their marital status? Very weird indeed. I mean, I know different teachers take this thing differently; some won't mind if you call them by their first name, while others are downright strict and prefer you call them by their marital status at all times.

By the way, I could've screwed up my sayings here, but I'm refering to the marital status as in the Mr. Mrs. Ms. whatever.

Whatever a teacher signs an email (to students) with, I call them by. I don't call them Dr. if they sign their email as John.

I don't think I've ever had any teacher's send emails out. I know we have that one program "PowerSchool" where parents can go in and see what their child's grades are looking like. Kind of a way to know what's happening before report cards are mailed out. Most teachers are pretty good about letting you know what they'd like to be called by during the school year.<br /><br />-- Tue Sep 20, 2011 11:05 pm --<br /><br />

Out of all the schools I went to, most of the teachers went by Mr. or Mrs.. The only time I was allowed to call them by their first names, was when school was out, or if they personally didn't care about what you called them by.

Heh, not sure if we got off THAT lucky. We were told to go by Mr., Mrs. etc all the time, not when school isn't in session.

 

[Deleted member 1609]

I'm in university now, and some of the professors prefer that you call them "Dr." Some don't mind if you call them by their first names, though, and I refer to some of them that way. I'm becoming a teacher, and I don't really think that I'd care if a child called me by my first name. After all, it is my name. I think the fact that they remember my name at all is enough. 😛

 

[Lorcan]

I prefer to call teachers by their last name rather then the first name, I just feel more comfortable that way.

 

[AnAccount]

I'm in university now, and some of the professors prefer that you call them "Dr." Some don't mind if you call them by their first names, though, and I refer to some of them that way. I'm becoming a teacher, and I don't really think that I'd care if a child called me by my first name. After all, it is my name. I think the fact that they remember my name at all is enough. 😛

I'm surprised nobody says "Professor" and then the person's name rather than Dr. anymore I suppose in your professor's minds, though, I suppose "Professor" probably sounds too old fashioned, well, some of the teachers who've been there for years could think this, anyway.

 

[alfred01]

Personally, I call everyone by a title unless they tell me it's OK to call them by their first name. I understand the respect aspect, but if a teacher tells you to call them by their first name then you can consider it respect by abiding by their wishes. This, in my experience though, is very uncommon.

One thing to consider is the possibility that year's later, you could find yourself a colleague of a former teacher. In this case, if the former teacher called me by my first name I would do the same in return.

 

[Deleted member 1609]

I'm in university now, and some of the professors prefer that you call them "Dr." Some don't mind if you call them by their first names, though, and I refer to some of them that way. I'm becoming a teacher, and I don't really think that I'd care if a child called me by my first name. After all, it is my name. I think the fact that they remember my name at all is enough. 😛

I'm surprised nobody says "Professor" and then the person's name rather than Dr. anymore I suppose in your professor's minds, though, I suppose "Professor" probably sounds too old fashioned, well, some of the teachers who've been there for years could think this, anyway.

I think that most of them prefer to be called "doctor" because of their doctorate degrees.

 

[Tindris]

In Sweden all teachers are called by their first name, Mr. and Mrs. isn't used at all here.

 

[Watch Me Sink]

I'm in university now, and some of the professors prefer that you call them "Dr." Some don't mind if you call them by their first names, though, and I refer to some of them that way. I'm becoming a teacher, and I don't really think that I'd care if a child called me by my first name. After all, it is my name. I think the fact that they remember my name at all is enough. 😛

I'm surprised nobody says "Professor" and then the person's name rather than Dr. anymore I suppose in your professor's minds, though, I suppose "Professor" probably sounds too old fashioned, well, some of the teachers who've been there for years could think this, anyway.

I think that most of them prefer to be called "doctor" because of their doctorate degrees.

And unfortunately these degrees are not usually in teaching.

 

[Deleted member 1609]

I'm in university now, and some of the professors prefer that you call them "Dr." Some don't mind if you call them by their first names, though, and I refer to some of them that way. I'm becoming a teacher, and I don't really think that I'd care if a child called me by my first name. After all, it is my name. I think the fact that they remember my name at all is enough. 😛

I'm surprised nobody says "Professor" and then the person's name rather than Dr. anymore I suppose in your professor's minds, though, I suppose "Professor" probably sounds too old fashioned, well, some of the teachers who've been there for years could think this, anyway.

I think that most of them prefer to be called "doctor" because of their doctorate degrees.

And unfortunately these degrees are not usually in teaching.

It does seem odd that most professors don't have teaching degrees. :shrug:

 

[Gimgak]

Well someone like a professor of biology is there for the lab to further his own work. To them teaching is more just a hassle they have to get through to continue their research. At least that's what I've heard.

 

[Watch Me Sink]

Just like how colleges spend TONS of money on undergrad research.

/s

 

[Deleted member 1609]

Well someone like a professor of biology is there for the lab to further his own work. To them teaching is more just a hassle they have to get through to continue their research. At least that's what I've heard.

I go to a small school where the faculty don't get paid to do research, so most of my professors actually care about teaching.

 

[Gimgak]

Well someone like a professor of biology is there for the lab to further his own work. To them teaching is more just a hassle they have to get through to continue their research. At least that's what I've heard.

I go to a small school where the faculty don't get paid to do research, so most of my professors actually care about teaching.

You're lucky then, colleges usually aren't known for having passionate teachers. I've heard from pretty funny stories from my dad :lol:

 

[Kurama]

No, it should not be allowed. It seems and feels extremely disrespectful towards them.

 

[Black Angel]

I would refer to anyone in an authoritative or respected position as Ms./Mr./Mrs. or Professor, or by any other respected title unless they specify otherwise, and I have done so regardless of age difference.

 

[MissTake]

All throughout my school life we always called the teacher by their marital status Mr, Mrs, Miss etc.... It was the biggest fun trying to figure out their first names.
There was only one high school teacher who told us his name,
B P Hadley, he told us his first name was Brian and that his middle name was NOT Rick with a silent P.....I'll never forget it!
In college and Uni the teachers are known by their first names though.

 

[froggyboy604]

In College and Community College in Canada most teachers are called by their first name, and they are not called Professors. Most are considered instructors or teachers.

At Universities which require students to have a high grade point average, the Teachers are called Professors, or Dr. depending on if they have a Dr. or Masters degree.

At Kindergarten to High school, students call their teacher Mr. or Mrs. Last name.

 

[Gimgak]

No, it should not be allowed. It seems and feels extremely disrespectful towards them.

What kind of respect do they deserve compared to other people? Would you refer to the guy pumping your gas as Mr. something, not bill? I mean in high school yeah but once you're in college you're (legally) an adult.

 

[Watch Me Sink]

No, it should not be allowed. It seems and feels extremely disrespectful towards them.

So my TA that is less than 12 months older than me should be called Mrs. O'Brien?