Are school students in the USA allowed to call their teachers by their first names?

Question

Or do they call them Sir / Ma'am / Mr / Mrs / Miss...etc?

Some people are under the impression that US school students can freely call their teachers "Bob", "Susie", "Mary" and so on, instead of calling them Sir, Ma'am, Mr. Jones, Mrs Randall, etc... Is it true?

Answer 1

in grade school, always no. it's disrespectful for a child to speak to a mentor using a familiar name.

in highschool, no, it's even more disrespectful, usually because the teenager is getting sassy with the teacher.

in college, it's possible, but depends on what the teacher asks to be called. most prefer their formal title: Dr. or professor

graduate school is the same as college, but maybe a bit more relaxed since it's more of a peer environment. i find that many adjunct teacher, usually without PhD's will allow 1st name, but those with PhD will want to be referrred to as Dr.

Answer 2

Not at all...students use teachers sir names. Even if you have a cool teacher that would rather be called by their first name your still use Mr. or Ms. before the name out of respect. For example Mr. Bob.

Answer 3

In lower education, like elementary and High School that would be a no unless they are directed by the teacher to call them by their first name. In college there are professors who choose to be called by their first name rather than Mr./Mrs./Miss. It is up to the teacher.

Answer 4

when I was in school, most teachers prefered to be called Mr. Mrs. There were a few teachers that allowed the students to call them by their first name. My favorite teacher "science class" we refered to him as Mr. D. because no one could pronounce his last name.

Answer 5

There are some teachers that allow/encourage students to call them by their first name, while the majority still call them Mr/Mrs/Ms..etc..

Answer 6

As a teacher in California, I know teachers who have let their students use their first name...but these teachers have been few and very far between.

I require my students to use Mr.... and sir. I know of no teacher at my school currently who allow students to use their first name.

This practice leads to problems with discipline and learning...teachers are not a students peer.

Answer 7

In California, we're not allowed to call our teachers by their first names.
Saying "Ms./Mrs./Mr." shows respect toward the teacher. It's rude if students call their teachers by their first names.

Answer 8

I guess that would be up to the teacher.
many teachers think they need to be the child's friend in order for them to be effective teachers; that is a huge mistake.
I know that many teachers do allow it.

Children do not respect adults that act like their friends instead of adult leaders.

I, as a parent do not allow my children to call any adult by their first name; although many adults nowadays seem to encourage it making my job to teach otherwise much more difficult.

Answer 9

Unfortunately, it is true in some schools. It is a trend that i don't like and it is based, I believe, in teachers wanting to be the friends of students,

When i began teaching at the age of 24 one of my students asked me my first name. My answer to her was Mister. She did not inquire again.

Answer 10

NO way, at least not in any Texas school. Its Sir, Maam, Mr, Mrs, Ms....you get the idea.