[MamaS]

Thought this was interesting for those still deciding.

Why teachers single out pupils called Callum, Chelsea, Connor and Jack as troublemakers | Mail Online

[anilorak13ska]

Wow, thanks for sharing. I teach adults English for Speakers of other Languages, so I am guaranteed to have students with names I have never heard of before every single semester. And while it's true that if I've had a particular experience with a student by the same name, that will come to mind when I first see the roster, as soon as I get to know the new student, that impression replaces the assumption.

I also don't like being judged myself for my name, as folks both misspell it and mispronounce it, so my name is always a cause of headache and sometimes even eye rolling among grown ups.

Can't please them all.

[jcm]

Interesting, and makes sense. I think a lot of people make assumptions when we hear just the name, before meeting the person. Thanks for sharing!

Having a name that no one could pronounce or spell was such a burden as a kid, and hated it at one point. Now I relish my name.

Jocelyn

[anilorak13ska]

Oh, absolutely. I wouldn't change my name for nothing either! I just wish other people quit having such a problem with it. Sometimes they're like "why" do you pronounce or spell it like this. What kind of question is that? sheesh.

[mommytoEli]

as a teacher, i totally understand. lol. my "bad" name is matthew. it was my absolute most favorite boys name in the whole world before i was a teacher. every freaking year i either had a matthew or there was one next door. either way, there was at least ONE VERY BAD matthew in my life every year i taught. like - worst student in my class- bad. i have never met a well behaved smart matthew. it ruined a perfectly good name for me.

however, there must be some really awesome matthew's out there i've never met for it to be on the "brightest boy" list.

i'm laughing right now that i am on the "naughtiest girl" list. lol.

[jp4ga]

Interesting article. As a teacher I do try to not make assumptions about a student based on the name they were given. Sometimes it is hard. Especially when you remember the last student you had named "x" was a holy terror.

I found it very difficult to name my children after I had been teaching several years. Every name my husband liked had a "bad- for lack of a better word" student attached to it. We finally did come up with names. My son is 13 and I had never had a student with his name until last year. OH BOY- if I had met this kid before I had my son I never would have picked that name.

I hate pronouncing unusal names the 1st day of class. So I don't call roll. I have every student stand and introduce themselves to the class. This gives me a chance to hear the name pronounced as it should be without me messing it up and embarrassing the child in front of everyone. Also, this activity helps everyone in the class learn the names of their classmates.

[arkansas parent]

Maybe DD is right. She is always saying her teachers hate her. Well guess what, her name is on the list (spelled different than the way we spell it)