HomeMy WebLinkAboutFirst-name basis: No more 'Mr.' or 'Mrs.' in the classroom - CBC News - 09/04/2018 - CBC News - 09/04/20189/5/2018 First -name basis: No more 'Mr.' or'Mrs.' in the classroom I CBC News
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First -name basis: No more 'Mr.' or 'Mrs.' in the classroom
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Teachers shedding surnames in bid to build rapport with students
CIBC News ° IPosted4 Sep 04, 201 1028 IPIM IET 1I ILast Updated: September 4
IIt's a given: Some teaclhers are buclkiiing tlradiitioin by aslking students to call tlheirn by their first
name. (Radio. -Canada)
Teachers at some Ottawa schools are breaking with tradition by asking students to
call them by their first name.
https://www. cbc. ca/newslcanadalottawa/teacher-first-I ast-name-title-1.4801846 1/3
9/5/2018 First -name basis: No more 'Mr.' or'Mrs.' in the classroom I CBC News
Joel Westheimer, a professor at the University of Ottawa's faculty of education and
regular CBC contributor, told Ottawa Morning host Hallie Cotnam that more casual
approach to the teacher -student paradigm can help ease tensions in the classroom.
"Students and teachers have to feel comfortable," said Westheimer, who goes by
"Dr. Westheimer," "Mr. Westheimer" or "noel," depending on his own students'
comfort level. "I spend a lot of time paying attention to the way relationships are built
in my classrooms, and the way students connect with me."
However, the teachers must be comfortable with it, too.
"I never think that teachers should be forced to do this," Westheimer said.
Should teachers drop the Mr. and Ms. and Ihave students caI1 tlheirtn by t1h61r first narnes? Our
education collurnlniist nr 6glhs iin. 7:50
Here's some of the reaction to the new, more casual approach some teachers are
taking.
r CBCOttawaMorning @OttawaMorning • Sep 4, 2018
Should students call teachers by their first name? Discuss.
@j o6 wesd:lh°n oli irneir
all,@willywillster
No! It's a show of respect for their elders. What kind of people
are we trying to raise?
7:55 AM - Sep 4, 2018
5 See ......'s other Tweets
Lily King
@Lilzillaz
Replying to @OttawaMorning @joelwestheimer
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9/5/2018 First -name basis: No more 'Mr.' or'Mrs.' in the classroom I CBC News
I'm an EA and I've always asked the students to call me just Lily.
It doesnt matter what they call me; respect is shown through
how we treat one another.
7:50 AM - Sep 4, 2018
9 See Lily King's other Tweets
Karina
: @karinakn12
Replying to @OttawaMorning @joelwestheimer
Unless stated otherwise its just polite to call your teacher Mrs.
ma'am or Professor.
8:17 AM - Sep 4, 2018
1 See Karina's other Tweets
With files from CBC Radio's Ottawa Morning
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