I have definitely had classmates in the past who this has happened too. I have always felt bad for those students. I think that most teachers actively try to correct this. I definitely have taken this as a learning experience. As a teacher, I always make a conscious effort to ask my students how to say their names correctly. It's important to me that they feel acknowledged and respected. Even if I initially make a mistake, I ensure that they correct me, and I actively work on getting it right in the future. I want my students to know that their names matter to me, and I value their identities. Building a positive relationship with my students starts with something as simple, yet significant, as knowing and saying their names correctly.
