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Why do we still call our school teachers by their last name?

To be honest, when I was in high school I only addressed certain teachers with Mr. or Miss or the like. The ones I did address with those titles, I respected and thought highly of and I was treated the same way back.

The other teachers I did not address with those titles were the teachers that would hardly do anything and I'd be practically teaching the class.

Either way, I think a teachers main show of respect is their paycheck. I don't believe in the "superior" titles, everyone is equal, we all just excel in different ways.
 
I think it works pretty good that way at school but during school trips or anything like that we call most teachers by their first names.
 
They are older, wiser, and you are in a professional relationship with them. In college (although with your attitude, I'd hate to think how you are going to write any application letters or, perish the thought, thanks for interviews if you make it that far), you'll be using similar "honorifics" even when your professor is younger than you. Unless THEY, not you, suggest otherwise, that's the way it goes.

I have a PhD. When I introduce myself in e-mails or in professional settings, I am referred to as "Dr." I usually drop it (and my last name as well) after the initial contact. I always use the title (or Mr., Ms.) unless the person says something like, "It's Tom".

And that's Dr. Legolamb to you.:p
 
I don't expect people to agree with my personal opinion on this matter, but this topic is about everyone's point of view on this matter.

It's best not to get insulting when writing and reading in an opinion based topic Legolamb, like I said, I'm just expressing my opinion.
 
There are schools that use "Teacher John" if the persons name was john doe.
I know there are teacher at my high school who are fine with being called by their first name. Guess it depends where you are and who you're dealing with.
 
I have a science teacher who I refer to as "Dr. *first name*" She told us to call her that, so thats just what we do. I have had some other teachers that I called them by the first letter of their last name (Mr. D), and other I just called then their last name with out the Mr. or Mrs. (Turby)

I dont see a problem calling teachers by their first name if they say you can. Other wise, its just a sign of respect.
 
If you actually need to ask such a question, then you have no understanding of even the very basic concept of respect. I know you think it's just a title, but it's how you'd greet someone who's in a position of authority over you, or an elder. If our society was even more strict, you would even refer to co-workers (at an equal job level as you) as Mr. _____ or Miss/Ms./Mrs. _______ unless they tell you to call them by their first name.

It really depends on the society you're from, but even in the most casual countries, you refer to a person of authority with Mr/Mrs./Ms/etc.
 
raggedjimmi said:
Respect, and I wouldn't want it changing either.
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Me neither. My 9th grade English teacher (I was in 9th in 1989) recently became an assistant principal under my mother (mother is a high school principal). I still address her formally, as Mrs. Buttell. That's what she always has been to me, and that's what she will always be to me - just like the principal my mother worked under when I was in kindergarten I still address formally. Hell, I address all of the teachers I had formally (save two; they gave us the okay to call them something else).

tobefirst said:
I had a teacher in high school, way back in the mid-90s that addressed all his students by Mr. X and Ms. Y. He returned the respect we gave him by calling him Mr. Z by calling us likewise.
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When my mother is just acting as principal, she'll call the kids in her school by their first name, although they'll address her formally. But when she teaches a class (twice per month, my mother will give a teacher the day off with pay, and teach their class for that day), she'll address the students formally, and the students address her formally.

maclover001 said:
I guess those answers make sense. Still just seems so pre-1960 to me.
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It's so 1980ish, 1990ish, and 2000ish. Goes along with another old saying: To get respect, you must give respect. better yet, Deanna Troi said it best in ST: TNG, ep. 39, "The Icarus Factor":

Counselor Deanna Troi: Respect is earned, not bestowed.
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Wisdom worth living by.

BL.
 
In elementary school and high school I addressed my teachers with Mr./Mrs., but in middle school we were asked to address our teachers by first name only. To be honest, it didn't make any difference to the students or the teachers, and some might argue that it promoted a more effective teaching environment by encouraging a closer relationship between the teacher and his/her students.

The title of Mr./Mrs. may display respect, but at the same time it doesn't earn it. Students will respect (or disrespect) their teacher regardless of their title or name. In other words, the title itself accomplishes little, but if that's what the teacher/school prefers, then they are entirely proper to do so.

I think it should be up to the school/teacher to decide the appropriate practice, and I don't see why either should be deemed advantageous over the other.


jmann said:
I think it shows a form of respect.
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I'm not so sure.

If you willingly address your boss Mr. or Mrs. you indeed show respect; however, if your boss requires that you address him/her with Mr./Mrs. the respect formally contained within the title is lost, no?

However, it might be said that addressing teachers with Mr. and Mrs. teaches respect.
 
Respect and to that end, I make sure my kids use Mr/Mrs/Miss to any adults. While I seem to be in the minority by teaching my kids this, I think its essential to showing respect.
 
i call everybody mr. or mrs. unless i am told to otherwise, or dont know/remember their last name. have always done it since i was a kid. friends parents were Mr. and Mrs.

edit: i call children by their first name
 
Demosthenes X said:
I tuned out there. Most of what you think is grade ten is self centred, naive, and wrong. Case in point.
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I'm in grade 10, and this is a big time in my life where ive really realized that the point of life is other people. Doing good. Helping out. and expecting them to never repay you, but they are extremely grateful. Our entire school just went out and did a community service day last weak.

d wade said:
when i was in HS it all depended on the teacher. some we would just call by his/her last name without the mr./mrs.
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Same here. Thats what happens with our science teacher. "Verlo"

mlemonds said:
i call everybody mr. or mrs. unless i am told to otherwise, or dont know/remember their last name. have always done it since i was a kid. friends parents were Mr. and Mrs.
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Same here. like at school. our pe we call him Lance not "Mr. ___". and it kinda goes back and fourth for our math teacher. His name is Bob. Just fun to say i guess. and his last name is the same last name as our VP and like 3 other staff.
 
I still call my old school teachers Sir/Miss if I see them around town. Even the ones who were sacked for some rather serious offences.
 
When I was quite young (grade 5?) I just didn't understand our social conventions, and committed several errors in judgement. I really wanted to know the answer to something from her, so I (a) looked her name up in the phone book, (b) called her at home, and (c) asked for her by her first name. ("May I speak to Sarah please?") I distinctly remember hearing, in the background, her husband saying something like "there's a kid on the phone, asking for Sarah".

I was then (gently) taught a few little lessons about social interaction :)

I went back a few years ago to visit my old elementary school, and some of my teachers were still there. It was great to see them again, but they were still Mr. ___ and Mrs. ___ to me. One of my high school physics teachers has this annual Christmas brunch that she invites her alumni to. I still address her as "Ms. Hall" even though I'm sure she'd be comfortable with just being called her first name. It's just not something I'm comfortable doing.
 
When I used to teach, I'd go by "Mister Zane" (my first name). Mostly because my last name is so long and is prone to jokes and giggles in the classroom.
 
I think the great and wise men of RUN DMC said it best:

"You see, I want respect, if I'm correct. They're all like a ball that I have checked..."

It's all a matter of perspective. If your outlook is self-centered in that you force others to "earn" your respect because everyone is equal and "you must prove to me that I should respect you" then you probably just don't get it.

As the lyrical sages above pointed out so eloquently, respect is all about what you show to others. The secret is that when you are others-focused instead of self-focused then you will actually build something called character. And, character is widely respected by everyone. :)
 
It shows respect and it is the right thing to do. A good teacher is not a student's friend, but a student's mentor. Whenever I have had students ask my first name at the beginning of the year I always respond "Mister" as a joke. Learning those common courtesies as a young person will go a long way when you get out into the big world and have a boss.
 
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Back when I was 25 years old, I took at job teaching at a tech school. I was told by my supervisors to always insist that the students call me Mr. _______. Yes, it's a sign of respect - and once that line is crossed, it seems relationships change, in a way that's not appropriate for a teacher and a student. That level of respect needs to stay there.

And many people touched on this, but if someone tells you to address them by a first name, or nickname, or whatever, that's fine. I'm 40 years old and to this day I address every adult I meet as Mr./Mrs./Miss _______ until they tell me otherwise.
 
I still call teachers that I had in high school who became good friends "Mr. _____" even though we will soon be academic equals. I still respect them and the job that they do.
 
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