brid widder, I had to laugh when you asked what do students prefer to be called! It reminded me of a High School class where all the girls had nicknames. I just couldn't bring myself to call Casandra by her nickname "Blister"!

It seems in teaching, it's best to be aware of the "history" of the school system you're in, and the past classes your students have been in. If it's the custom for teachers to always be addressed by Mr./Mrs./Ms. Last Name, better stick with it. I was surprised at what a big deal it was for High School students to learn my first name and make a point of addressing me by it after they graduated.

Another topic, closely related, is the use of yes sir and yes ma'am. It's mandatory in some Southern states, not particularly common in Kentucky. I feel that to require it is repugnant...but our local legislator prided himself in introducing a bill in the state legislature to "instill discipline" by requiring the students to say yes sir and yes ma'am.

Still, having been a classroom teacher, I know how important it is to have no "back talk." I told my students that when I said turn to page 20 in your books, their appropriate response was yes, yes ma'am, or NOTHING.

I also taught adolescents in a mental hospital. There we were strongly cautioned to never enter in a personal conversation. And the kids knew this, so would quite often test the "newbies" to see what they could get by with.