We have many students who use a name other than the one they
were given at birth. This is for so many reasons that I rarely ask why they go
by a different name. I always ask the student what they wish to be called
because I think that is extremely important. They should have ownership of
their name. When checking out books, our
system requires me to type in the name of record. This can cause confusion
and/or embarrassment. When this occurs
with a child whose records show a non-traditional name, I always tell them I
think their name is beautiful. If their face lights up I know this is really
their preferred name but that over the years, it has been discouraged. I always
offer to learn and call the student by this name. The choice is always theirs
to make. Our ENL teachers always encourage students to use their given name not
the one that was assigned to them when they were little. I love this practice
and am happy to be a part of the change.
