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Is it just to give them some formal version of respect since they tend to be incompetent to start out with?
I think it would be much better for teachers to use first names when teaching a class. It would be much easier for the students to connect with the teacher than hiding behind a useless title.
I don't think using a title helps much in class control. I've seen really terrible managers of class control still have a title.
Are they allowed to use their first name if they wish?
What I'm asking basically is have teachers always used titles while teaching or is there some strange research that makes some claim?
Simply, it's proper manners for any child to refer to any adult as Mr., Mrs., Miss, Dr., etc.
I mean why though. Like saying it's proper manners doesn't really explain why.
I'm saying I think it would help teachers relate to their students better if they used first names. Is there any research into why they shouldn't do it?
To answer your question: it depends on the school and it's educational philosophy. A school with a progressive philosophy is more likely to allow students to address their teachers by their first names. A school with a traditional philosophy is likely not to allow it.
Most public schools are traditional. You'll find progressive and hybrids of progressive/traditional in independent schools.
I'm not a teacher but I work for a traditional school that leans toward progressive. All adults from the custodian to the head of school are addressed as Mr., Ms., Miss, or Mrs.
I suppose I'll need to rethink addressing my neighbor as Mr. Wilson or Mrs. Rodgers - I mean, they haven't done anything to earn my respect so according to you, they are not deserving of being addressed as Mr. or Mrs.
Moderator cut: - But of you're truly interested in the differences between progressive vs traditional education philosophies, Google will help you out.
Last edited by Oldhag1; 11-14-2014 at 06:10 PM..
Reason: Sigh. Even if it's true, it is against the TOS and this forum's guidelines to say so on the open forum.
I mean why though. Like saying it's proper manners doesn't really explain why.
I'm saying I think it would help teachers relate to their students better if they used first names. Is there any research into why they shouldn't do it?
Did you call your teachers by their first names when you were a child?
Did you call your neighbors by their first names when you were a child?
It is called common decency and manners, something far too many kids (and some of their parents) lack these days.
I am in my 6th decade of life, and I STILL call the neighbors I grew up with by "Mr. and Mrs. So and So". Some of them still live by my childhood home, and when I see them (they are now in their 80s-90s), they are "Mr. and Mrs.". No Joe or Betty.
Children can relate better when they listen! Zip the lip and open the ears.
Did you call your teachers by their first names when you were a child?
Did you call your neighbors by their first names when you were a child?
It is called common decency and manners, something far too many kids (and some of their parents) lack these days.
I am in my 6th decade of life, and I STILL call the neighbors I grew up with by "Mr. and Mrs. So and So". Some of them still live by my childhood home, and when I see them (they are now in their 80s-90s), they are "Mr. and Mrs.". No Joe or Betty.
Children can relate better when they listen! Zip the lip and open the ears.
Yeah, I did, but I don't see a point in it?
Just calling something manners as an explanation doesn't really sit well with me.
I don't think a child listens just because someone calls themselves Mr. and Mrs.
To call a teacher by their 1st name put them more on a level of the student. Not a good thing in a school, especially when the child gets into their teens.
To call a teacher by their 1st name put them more on a level of the student. Not a good thing in a school, especially when the child gets into their teens.
Well that's what I was referring to.
How does calling someone by their first name make them more authoritative?
I think it does very little in helping with classroom management and also makes teachers seem distant to the kids when they might want to ask a question.
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