It seems there are a million things I need to say on the first day of school, but I save only the most important for day one, knowing I'll get to the rest as soon as I can. For sure though, my kids will get the my-name-isn't-teacher talk.
Granted, this isn't a life or death issue, but learning names is a life skill. And seriously, no matter how young, I think students should be expected to use their teacher's name. Hearing the word "Teacher!" is about as annoying as that poking finger in my side from a little person who's trying to get my attention. (That would be another vexing problem that's worth addressing.)
"Teacher!" is a lazy habit, but it can be fixed. Our kids are capable. It simply takes an adult who notices and then respectfully and consistently addresses it. I think all teachers should be that adult.
Guaranteed, by mid-September, my name will officially and thankfully be Miss McMorrow once again. Hopefully that poking sensation will go away soon after. :)
P.S. Anyone else annoyed by this?
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the first day of the school year. I am on the other side of the planet and we still have two more weeks for the beginning of the school year.
ReplyDeleteI start having dreams of the school year before it begins, Its my sub-conscious mind telling me "get ready you have long year ahead of you:".
I wish you a meaningful and a productive school year.
Samir, I have a few weeks to go as well, and I sure know about the dreams your talking about. Good luck with your year!
DeleteOh, one of my unlikes, also. When one of my little friends says that to me, I call them "student" back. Some of them catch on, lol. Sara
ReplyDeleteSara, I like to make the point on the first day of school that I won't be calling them "kid" so it would be nice if they don't call me "teacher." :)
DeleteYes! That drives me crazy, too! But I do the same as Sara and respond, "Yes, Student?" Works like a charm :)
ReplyDeleteBarb, I'm glad that you and Sara are with me on this! :)
DeleteOh my, the poking gets me too. I politely tell them they are not a bird, so they need to stop pecking on me! They giggle and laugh and we go on, but they understand not to do that. :)
ReplyDeleteLori
Conversations in Literacy
Lori, Ooh I like that. I'll have to borrow the bird analogy!
DeleteI always just say "do I poke you to get your attention?". Yes, I do think this is a lifeskill! I always introduce everyone we pass as well-including our cafeteria staff so they understand the power of calling people by their actual names! :)
ReplyDeleteMiss Trayers, I like how you introduce staff members you pass. The cafeteria staff must love that too.
DeleteMany of the children I work with call me "teacher" as well, but these children are newcomers from cultures where calling someone "teacher" isn't laziness, it's a sign of respect. Calling a teacher by their name is seen as disrespectful, and when I ask them to call me Jane, I end up with "teacher Jane" instead!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jane for that perspective. We obviously need to understand the cultures of our clientele. :)
DeleteOh, Tammy, you are so right! Too funny that two of your little annoyances are mine as well. There is absolutely NO poking me allowed. Ha! I work on that Day 1. Most of my kids know my name from me teaching them in music K-1, but the Kindergartners who come in definitely call me "Teacher" or even the K teacher's name sometimes. Ha!
ReplyDeleteCrystal
Teaching Little Miracles
Crystal, I'm glad you're teaching our little k kids to use teacher names and to stop poking. That's where the real training happens. :)
DeleteOh my goodness! This made me smile!! I am called everything! I just quickly remind them of my name and move on. I guess that is what can happen when they switch classes each day :)
ReplyDeleteEm, I've been called mom and grandma before. Those definitely make me smile. :)
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