A Phd teaching 1st Grade

[mickaholic4077]

Me thinks Dr. Smith likes to hear the sound of her name being said over and over. Prob. the Dr. part in particular.

If I were writing this (re. of whether or not I had a PhD), I would've written:

"Next week, Dr. Smith's class will have a field trip to the museum. Every child should pack a brown bag lunch. All children must return the permission slip by Monday."

I do think that if a person has a title they want to be addressed by, that's what should be done.

I'm thinking that this year, I might have my students address me as "Your Highness" ... just for kicks, of course. I mean, it's not an official title after all. But, DH does end a lot of his sentences with "Yes, Your Highness", so maybe it is official?! Plus, I kind of like the way it sounds.

Or how about Your Royalness!!

 

[m&m's mom]

Do you think it would have ever been noticed if it said "Mrs" three or four times?

That is exactly what I was going to post. I am sure no one would have a problem with that.

 

[delilah]

In an academic setting, I feel that teachers should be addressed according to their earned degree. So a teacher with a BA or MA would be Mr./Ms./Mrs./Miss and a teacher with a PhD would be Dr. I have no problem calling my son's teachers "Mrs. Lastname". I would be uncomfortable with calling them "Firstname". I, myself, am a "physician, with a MD degree, so, in a situation where a teacher would use a title, like "Mrs. John Jones", I expect to be addressed as "Dr. Lastname1", even though Lastname1 is different from Lastname2, which is my son's and husband's lastname. The way I look at it, any of 2 billion women could be Mrs Hubby'sfirstname Lastname2, but there is only one Dr. Delilah Lastname1.

 

[NYBlue1]

See that's the part I don't get.

If you have a PHD, why the heck are you teaching 1st Grade???

The teachers in my area can make anywhere from 112,000.00 to 115,000.00 a year at top pay in the district, I could certainly see why a Dr in those districts may want to teach 1st grade

 

[Lanshark]

I have my kids call me General while they stand at attention and salute (hopefully with more than one finger)

 

[NMAmy]

I have no problem with referring to someone with a Ph.D. as Doctor. However, mentioning it 3 times in a vey short note indicates to me that they are a bit impressed with themselves.

My sister has a Ph.D. And, yes, she's incredibly impressed with herself. What annoys me most is that when my mom was in the hospital, she called the ER announcing herself on the phone as Dr. H. because she felt they weren't telling me everything because I'm not a Doctor (and therefore too idiotic to ask the proper questions.) Hello, you are not an MD, my friend. They told her the same thing they'd been telling me--they were waiting on the test results. She also feels anyone who dares to disagree with her is "just jealous because I have my Ph.D." Whatever.

I work at a college and I can't swing a cat without hitting someone with a Ph.D. or an Ed.D. Most are very down to earth and don't bandy their doctorate about to all and sundry. None of them impersonate a medical doctor either.

Because of my sister's attitude, I'd tend to think someone who mentioned the fact that they were a doctor 3 times in a short note just might be a tad impressed with themselves.

 

[Keli]

I think the note did use the teacher's name too much, it made me laugh. But it was funny whether it was Dr. or some other title.

But I have no problem with the teacher being called Dr. Lastname in their class. Just as I wouldn't have a problem with them being called Mr or Ms (or Miss or Mrs.) Lastname.

 

[pearlieq]

First off, yes, I would imagine no one would have raised an eyebrow if it had said "Mrs. Smith". Secondly, did it occur to anyone that this may be a standard form/template used for all notes home?

I don't see any problem with an educator using a professional title. As for asking why someone with a doctorate would be teaching 1st grade, are our standards really that low? It's kind of sad that someone would question that. As if early education wasn't important or that 6/7 year olds aren't "worth" having a highly educated teacher? Sad.

 

[disney junky]

I have my kids call me General while they stand at attention and salute (hopefully with more than one finger)

I like Your Majesty, but I'm thinking this year of having them call me Mr. Junky.

 

[Tink_Or_Belle]

Do you think it would have ever been noticed if it said "Mrs" three or four times?[/QUOTE

yes Mrs would have bothered me too UNLESS many classes were going and they had different rules like if the note said

the 1st graders are going to the museum next week Mrs Smiths class must pack a lunch however Mrs Andersons class will be eating at McDonalds I live in a very small town where there is ONE 1st grade teacher and her note would not mention her name at all except as the signature

As a matter of fact I have one sitting here beside me want to hear what it says

Dear Parents,

Beginning next week our class will be going to the library every Monday afternoon. This permission slip will allow your child to ride the bus or walk depending on the weather. Please sign and return the bottom half of the note by Friday August 31st. I am very excited to teach your children this year!!
Thank You
Mrs (not) Smith

if it had said

Beginning next week Mrs Smiths class will be going to the library every Monday afternoon. This permission slip will allow your child to ride the bus or walk with Mrs Smith depending on the weather. Please sign and return the bottom half of the note by Friday August 31st to Mrs Smith . Mrs Smith is very excited to teach your children this year!!
Thank You
Mrs Smith

I would have thought it was a little much


our local pastor is a DR and a fire chief I never know what to call him Chief Pastor Dr "Smith"
Mrs (not) Smith

 

[Mickey Fliers]

I, too, agree that people who have earned a Ph.D have earned the right to be called Doctor. However, I think it might be confusing to 5 and 6 yo's who's only previous dealings with a "Doctor", is thier M.D. KWIM? I just think insisting that 1st graders call you "Doctor" is a little over the top in self validation. Older kids? Sure, they would get it. But I would think little one's could be easily confused.

 

[DisneyPhD]

To be a teacher around here you have to continue to your masters. Many do get their PhD's, but then they often do go into administrative positions.

If they have one, and it is in a professional postion, I don't see the problem with the kids using it.

DH has an PhD (in chemistry) he teaches college and his students do use it (they normally call him Doc D). My kids friends call him Mr. Last name (or 1st name depending on the kid.)

Once when I was working as a therapist I had a patient who kept calling me Dr. last-named. I am not a doctor, or a PhD (only on line in Disney) I have a masters degree. We got a phone call on night and the person asked for Dr. last-named. This patient was the type of person who would try to track me down so I said "there is no Dr. Last-named here." Then she said DH's 1st name, and I remember........ Oh yep, he is a Dr. It was a student calling, but he hardly ever gets phone calls, just emails from students.

Funny though, it has been a part of my online screen name for so long it seems like my name, just initials. Strangely enough it is Dh's initials.

 

[kinntj]

I don't have a problem with a student (whatever age) calling their teachers Dr. It's the title they earned. On the note itself, I read it and it sounds funny. Whether you use your professional title or Miss/Mrs./Mr., using it that many times and not making a simple sentence without all those would be better. I mean, are parents that stupid that by the end they will be, hmmm...who is the money for and who wants it?

I read it to DH and he just went like this He said even if it was a form letter, these things can be changed or asked to be changed. In my DH's profession, it's better to have a Masters than a PhD, because employers would rather pay less and there are more options open to the salary range.

Fortunately my career doesn't require that much education. It's an intense program and I love education, but at my age I don't want to go through much more.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

I too do not understand what the big deal is. They work hard for these titles, and I think they have earned them.

 

[MushyMushy]

I, too, agree that people who have earned a Ph.D have earned the right to be called Doctor. However, I think it might be confusing to 5 and 6 yo's who's only previous dealings with a "Doctor", is thier M.D. KWIM? I just think insisting that 1st graders call you "Doctor" is a little over the top in self validation. Older kids? Sure, they would get it. But I would think little one's could be easily confused.

It's never been a problem at my kids' elementary school. One of their principals is named "Dr. XXX" and they knew she wasn't a medical doctor at all.

 

[Merriwind]

I too do not understand what the big deal is. They work hard for these titles, and I think they have earned them.

Agreed~!

 

[solferino]

Here's a little twist- at DD's school (and where I work) all of the students call the teachers and staff members by their first names. I'm not defending nor debating the practice because it is what it is. I don't have a problem with it regardless.

 

[teacherforhi]

I don't think the Dr. part is odd. I think referring to oneself in the third person is. When I send home a permission slip I usually just say "our class" and "your student". I don't refer to myself in the note until I sign it at the end.

 

[JoyG]

I don't think 1st grade is too young to start addressing someone other than a physician as Dr.

They learn about Dr. Martin Luther King at school as early as Kindergarten and he wasn't a medical doctor.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Hey-if they take the time to get that degree then they deserve it. I think it is awesome to see people get so much education.

I totally agree. What is the difference if you address the person as Ms. Mr. Mrs. or Doctor! I will tell you if I had a doctorate I would use it .They are not a dime a dozen (very expensive)AND they are a lot of hard work. I am sure it did not bother the kids so why should it bother the parents. If you took your child to a pedi would you get upset he/she expected the child to call him/her by the title doctor???