Part 2: Pronouncing Names... Kind of a Big Deal

I have had students that preferred to be called nicknames. I feel like its not my place to determine what they choose to be called. I always respect their request. I do know that often times what kids are called in the classroom does not align with what is in powerschool. I feel like when we honor kids wishes to be called what they prefer to be called they feel seen and heard. It cultivates a community of safety and acceptance. Most often I find listening to kids speak to each other is the best way to learn names. What names are preferred, how to pronounce etc. The Hollywood story is sadly is all too common. Renaming someone is awful. I found this disturbing. To show kids you respect them get their name right. Record it, practice it, do whatever it takes.

1. What do you Think??  REFLECT: Do you recall a student who had a “nickname” given because others’ couldn’t pronounce it?  What was the effect?  What are your thoughts about the Hollywood story provided?

I have had students that had nicknames given because they wanted to be called by a different name.  I do not recall having any student using a nickname due to people not able to pronounce their name. 
As for the Hollywood story, it is unfortunate that Ryan Seacrest had not prepared and/or learned how to pronounce the names of all that he was interviewing that night. 

1. Now What??  OPPORTUNITY TO GROW: What steps can you take in your class or school that will show respect and honor toward one or more of your students?

At the start of any school year, I try real hard to learn how to pronounce the names of my students.  If I sense that I am not correct I would pull a student aside and ask them politely. Taking the time to learn how to improve one self in this scenario will help your students feel welcomed into the classroom. 

1. When I was in Driver's Ed, my teacher referred to me and the other three girls in my assigned car as "Mary." We spent weeks with him saying, "Make a right, Mary. Pull over, Mary." The only differentiation was when we referred to us by our hair color or body type. When he said "It's your turn, Tall Mary," that's how I knew it was my turn to get behind the wheel. His open misogyny was so off putting. As students we felt we had little power to object. This teacher probably thought he was being funny, but his actions belittled us. 

I think something important to keep in mind is honoring students' preferred pronouns and names other than the ones assigned at birth. So often students' preferred names do not match their documented information on Powerschool, even when the family has adopted the new name. I even make notes for the substitutes so they don't accidentally call a student his or her "dead name."  It's a small thing we can do that goes a long way in making students (who are are already struggling with so much) feel valued and included. 

I had a student two years ago who adamantly wanted to be called Dumbledore as part of his acculturation process.  (I remember the years we had to choose a new "Spanish" name when I was learning Spanish in high school.)  I asked him and his mom what his given name was, calibrated a bit but still wanted to be called Dumbledore in class.  I even spoke to the mom and said that we can learn his given name but she again insisted.  So that is what we used.   The classroom environment was interesting when he entered.  Other students asked me if that was REALLY his name.  They also asked me what that name meant...  I think Sweet Home's diversity has made students aware of different languages around the world so they knew that wasn't his given name. 

Now that I am thinking about it, I should have used that question as a learning moment and asked him to introduce himself with his given name and also state that he prefers to use Dumbledore and we will honor that.   

I think calibrating is an on-going process and shows how you care.  Being overbearing and insisting on a nickname or shorter name isn't culturally responsive or conducive to a respectful learning environment.  Learning and practicing their given name is. 

I have had students who have introduced themselves with a name that differed from the official name under which they were registered. I never thought to question why they had done that and am not sure if they had made the decision to go by a different name because they wanted to or if they felt like they were required to use a more "American" name.  I think that in the future I will privately ask them the pronunciation of their given name and ask if they would prefer that I call them by that name. 
The story about Ryan Seacrest speaks to the work that we still need to do. Hopefully because of the work that we do  all of our students will have a better understanding of the importance of everyone's name than previous generations.

I do know a student who had a nickname because his name was "too difficult" to pronounce.  It is amazing that children could pronounce his name, but adults couldn't find the time to learn it.  I am broken hearted at the Hollywood story.  She was given such an honor and had that taken away by giving her a nickname she didn't want.

I do realize I am not perfect and have an opportunity to grow.  I will check in with kids on names they prefer (which may not be on their transcript).  I will also make sure I take the time to learn the names of parents and siblings correctly.

I have had several students who have asked to be called another name; I have always respected the request. Some students seem to shorten their given name, and some have chosen an "Americanized" name to better fit in...although I am not sure that they always liked their new name. The Hollywood story is sad and revealing. Sometimes I think that people do not realize their micro-aggressions unless they are pointed out to them. We always need to give people a chance to redeem themselves and grow from the situation. I certainly need grace when it comes to pronouncing names. I will continue to ask students to help me and to respect how important it is to them that I give their name my full attention. I will use the website hearnames.com in the future.

When I listened to the story about Ryan Seacrest, I felt really bad.  How long did it take for us to hear Quvenzhané Wallis' name and get it correct?  Not too much..30 seconds? I feel like sporting event announcers really take time to learn names in the NHL, MLB, NFL and NBA.  We should, too!  It does not take that much effort at all.  The phonetic spelling on the class roster saves me every year. I think asking a student many times shows them that you value and respect their name and it's important to you as a teacher.

1.) I think that it is a microaggression, especially if a person does it over and over and isn't trying. In order to ensure that my student with the phoneme we couldn't hear was affirmed, I tried everyday to say her name correctly and never gave up. My goal was to let her know that she was doing great with English and I was struggling with just her name. By reversing the situation and making her the expert, I wanted to make sure that she felt affirmed and cared for, while I felt the struggle. Rather than her feeling like she was an odd ball or different, this sweet girl from upper China said that no one in the school could say it properly and she would laugh at me, while I laughed at myself. She knew that I was trying very hard. We also came to an agreement that she would let me know when if anyone said it right before me and then we went about our business. Rather than make it a big issue I wanted her to know that I cared. I wrote her letter of recommendation for college, but at that point nobody had said it correctly. 
2.) The major problem I have with the interviewer is that they decided to rename someone. A person may choose what they would like to be called and then we should respect it. People have accents and say my name incorrectly all of the time. It does not wound me because I am the majority. It someone is already feeling marginalized and vulnerable it will hurt them more. This relates to my students that are choosing different pronouns in my opinion too. People's feelings should not be pushed aside. 

1.     I have a student this year named Chigozie but goes by the name Joseph.  Taking this in-service course actually prompted me to ask him about the meaning behind his name and inquire when people started to refer to him as Joseph. The student informed me that not only was Joseph his middle name, but Chigozie was also of Nigerian descent. His classmates and teachers had such a hard time pronouncing his name, that they suggested using his middle name in school at the age of 5 or 6.  As other students entered my classroom and listened to our conversation, it actually sparked a few students to attempt to say his name Chigozie.  It was a very cool and humbling experience to see this podcast’s message in real life.  This interaction reaffirmed the podcast’s major lesson that our names have so much meaning and importance.  They are rooted in our culture and traditions.  It is worth the effort to get it right and show students you respect them.

 I was genuinely surprised at how dismissive Ryan Seacrest was of not even attempting to pronounce Quvenzhané Wallis’ name.  The young actress made such a valid point that Hollywood took to the time to learn other difficult actors’ and actress’ names, but felt she was not “worth the time or energy” to learn hers.  

The podcast has made me reflect on what steps I can take to grow as an educator.  These instances where we struggle to learn students’ names are learning opportunities.  We can take the time to pull students aside, ask him/her to slowly repeat their name, practice after class and check back later to ensure it is correct.   While this may put us in an uncomfortable and humbling position, it is worth the effort to make students feel comfortable and avoid feeling marginalized.  I loved the idea of carrying around your roster during the day on a clipboard and asking the students during a study hall, lunch, etc. in a different setting instead of in front of a class of 20 students.