COLLOQUY Responses
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COLLOQUY Responses
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 I have adopted the policy of addressing all of my students by last names, preceded by the generic titles of courtesy, 'Ms.,' or 'Mr.," as a reactive measure to multiple students taking the liberty of addressing me by my first name. My 'last name only' policy is my way of immediately informing my students that teacher/student dialogue is to be conducted in a mutually respectful forum. This practice has been worth its weight in gold and has done little to distance students by virtue of its formality. Many traditional age students are especially amused, offering, "None of my teachers have ever called me "Ms." or "Mr." It's really cool that you talk to us like that." I am equally amused when students begin to imitate the practice, and are overheard saying for example, "You know, Mr. Smith," when "John" fails to suffice in identifying a classmate. It remains true, however, that the first name approach, say Jack and Jill, is less demanding in terms of pronunciational acumen. Consistent usage of 'last name only' can require practice in learning how to pronounce a name correctly. Using students' last name is certainly no panacea for ensuring student civility. A case in point is based on my recent postponement of a quiz in one of my statistics classes. My surprise was evident to the class when a lone male student immediately bolted from the classroom with the hastily offered explanation, "I just came for the quiz." Unlike Sissa I was not quick enough to shame him into returning to his seat, forgoing his unplanned departure for our scheduled class. He was already out of sight and earshot before I could finish my reprimand; needless to say, the class began with an unplanned lecture on civility.
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