What do you call the teachers??

[Iwannabeababynurse]

i was wondering what do you call the teachers at school? do you call them mr./mrs. or do you call them professor??

[Multicollinearity, BSN, RN]

Only one of my instructors have asked to be addressed as "Mr ---." The rest have said to use their first name. After all of my instructors saying "call me by my first name" - I messed up and called an instructor by his first name. He blasted me to call him "Mr. ---." I was embarrassed. This particular instructor had taken over for my regular instructor who had become sick, and he never actually introduced himself. He had no hesitation referring to female students as "honey" in a tone dripping with sarcasm. So always be very very careful!

Also, I have seen instructors blanch when referred to as a "teacher." I think at the community college level they expect to be referred to as "instructors" rather than "teachers" like one does with her high school "teacher." Just an acknowledgment that you are at a higher level in education, you know?

I did have one instructor with a PhD. She didn't ever tell us how to address her. Her English was very bad and she just ignored the questions of how to address her when asked the first day. Most students called her "Ms ---" since they didn't know what else to do. I called her "Dr. ---" and I could tell it stroked her ego. Good thing to do, and she does in fact deserve the title.

If for some reason the professor (university or not a community college) doesn't introduce themself or indicate how to address them, I'd fall back on "Professor Last Name." If at community college, I'd address them as "Dr. Last Name" if they hold a PhD or other doctorate. Otherwise, I'd address the instructor as Ms. Last Name or Mr. Last Name - then immediately follow up with the question, "how would you like me to address you?"

[nessy]

The ones at my college are all called by their first name.

[romie]

In all of my college experiences, most of my professors had PhDs or Doctorates in whatever, so I generally refered to them as Dr..... Those without I would either call them Mrs... or professor, regardless of their professoral status. I rather enjoy academia and the pagentry of it all, but that is only me, so I usually made an effort to acknowlege the professors accomplishments. If I ever earn my PhD or DNP I would want everyone to call me Dr. Even my junk mail will be addressed to Dr. Romie after all those years of sacrifice and work. Working with patients--- I don't know yet, that is another issue.

[RebeccaJeanRN]

I agree with last post. Call 'em what they introduce themselves as. I do the same with patients. I introduce myself by my first name and title, then ask them how they would like to be addressed, sometimes prompting with "...and do you go by Mrs.Smith?". If I don't get an answer or miss this nice start for whatever reason, I automatically call them Mr. or Mrs X ...until they correct me and say 'oh just call me Mary'. In other words, I find it best to err on the side of being generally MORE polite rather than less. This is a good guideline to use with EVERYONE, instructors and patients alike! (and I am an older 4th career nurse, so this is not a deference to age!)

[diamondmeadows, BSN, RN]

i'm still doing prereqs, so i can't speak for nursing instructors.

i've honestly never thought about this before. it just hasn't entered my mind. hopefully my instructors don't feel that i'm being rude, because i address them all as "dr." or "ms./mr." depending on the degree. i haven't thought to use "professor." i've never had an instructor ask to be called by her or his first name, but to be honest i think i'm more comfortable using a title anyway. i have also found that most of my instructors address me as "mrs. lastname" so it works out fine.

[Multicollinearity, BSN, RN]

i'm still doing prereqs, so i can't speak for nursing instructors.

i've honestly never thought about this before. it just hasn't entered my mind. hopefully my instructors don't feel that i'm being rude, because i address them all as "dr." or "ms./mr." depending on the degree. i haven't thought to use "professor." i've never had an instructor ask to be called by her or his first name, but to be honest i think i'm more comfortable using a title anyway. i have also found that most of my instructors address me as "mrs. lastname" so it works out fine.

Interesting. Perhaps this is Southern politeness manifesting? I'm in Arizona. We are just very casual here (first names w/most profs).

[diamondmeadows, BSN, RN]

Interesting. Perhaps this is Southern politeness manifesting? I'm in Arizona. We are just very casual here (first names w/most profs).

that's an interesting thought. i have never lived anywhere but the south, so i couldn't say. i wonder if this is in fact something that differs regionally.

[shrimpchips, LPN]

during my senior year i went to a community college to take classes for both college and highschool credit. college teachers are professors but everyone just called them mr./mrs./ms. _____ .

[NursingStudent08]

I call them whatever they request. Some prefer Doctor, if they have a Ph.D, Mr., Miss or Ms; Professor...whatever they prefer is what they get from me.