As an educator I believe in creating an environment where students feel valued and their identities are celebrated. It is important that we get to know students and the pronunciation of their name from the first day of school. If a name is difficult, having that private conversation with the student one-on-one to work on the pronunciation is important to them to make it known you are making an effort and care to learn the correct way to say their name. A name is our identity and it is ignorant to turn a blind eye to pronouncing a students name wrong. It should be one of the first things you learn during the first week of school to make that student feel respected, valued, seen, and heard!
