I'm entering my fifth year at the school, and fourth as a prep coverage teacher. I teach well over 200 students. By now I'm used to the unusual names. But the spelling... everyone needs to be unique. Here's the fourth entry for What's in a Name?

First off, we have our religious names. Yes, they're probably meant as being more hippy than religious, but we'll stick with the religious theme. We have Harmony, and her wonderful sister Serenity. We have theological virtues too! Faith is important. But Faith seldom shows up. Faith needs to come to school. Love is a great little girl, but I still cringe at calling her Love. Sadly we do not have a Hope in our school. And what would the religious theme be without Trinity.

Then we just have a mish mash. Daz, Kael, and Laiden sound kind of cool. Nixon still makes me shake my head. Nixon?! We have country stars Paisley and Shelten, but no Garth or Hank. Ezmera, Hazen, Taiven, Aydrea, Breckin, Ruger, and Genya. I just sort of guess how to say their names. Others, you can have more fun with. Let's build a story...

The Deakan, a former Saylor, took a Jett in the pouring Summer Raine to Foster a Chanse at fighting Isis because he wanted to Cache in on more Merit.

Oh I could go on. But honestly, by year five I am starting to get numb to these names. What shocks me more is that I now teach a George and a Ralph. The two most unique names in the school, if you ask me. Well. Almost. I teach a True. yes, a True. Better than a False (although I'm sure that'll be next, those rebel parents). True is not Vietnamese. Just... True. 

I've Been Called Worse

Seeing as I teach nine different classes, close to 200 students, I have a difficult time in remembering names. However, if you'd think it's tough to remember student names, apparently it's way harder for the majority of these 200 students to remember my name.

Start with the grade 5s. They're pretty good, except for the class where they have another male teacher. I'll be addressed as Mr. Kubat usually about 10x per class.

Then the grade 4s. I replace two male teachers! This means, on any given day, I will be called Mr. Yee or Mr. LamMa more than I will be called Mr. Millette. Sometimes I end my mornings not even knowing who I am. Like, do I go home for lunch? Do I still have a home? I'm confused.

The grade three teachers I replace are female, so grade three is where I start to get called Mrs. Either Mrs. __________ (Classroom teacher), or simply Mrs. Millette. I always respond that she's probably at home putting a boy down for a nap, but they can call her if they need to.

Finally there's the grade twos. I am Mrs. Pilling to most of them. There is no differentiating. Teacher = Mrs. Pilling. But there is hope. Things are getting better. I think. I was called Mr. Pilling last class. On one hand I'm thrilled to be considered a Mr. On the other hand, I don't know how my wife feels about me now being Mr. Pilling.

All in all, it shows me that younger children rely on familiarity. They crave a steady and comfortable environment. The best example comes from a few years ago when I taught grade one. One boy, in a sweet innocent voice, asked me in front of the entire class: "Mom, can you help me?" I was touched. To think that I help him to the degree that a mother helps her own child! I responded with an equally sweet: "of course, dear."And I was never called mom again. It's all good. Really.

I've been called worse.

What's in a Name: Pt. III

A new school year. New hopes. New dreams. New names I'll never remember. And some I'll never forget. Yes, as a prep coverage teacher I have the responsibility of teaching over 200 different students. This is a nightmare for trying to remember names. What names do I have to contend with this year?

First off, it's not all bad! I teach three Daniels! Now they all come from different countries. But still! Then I get into the usual: Zenek, Kayson, Nash. Xander, Drayden, Arizona, Tilka and Athena. I must not get Elenna confused with her sister Elaine (wha...?). Nor the seemingly five dozen Riley/Rylees mixed up. I am intrigued by the spelling of Alexyss, and I wonder what Nastya means in Ukrainian (Anastasia?). Little miss Summer-Rae is a beam of sunshine, and I try not to think of the you know who when I call Isis.

But, without a doubt, there is a name that I'll always remember. You see, on the first day I saw a child walking down the hallway. Then a teacher next to me called out: "Hi Love!" I shot the teacher a glance. You don't call kids love! How inappropriate! The teacher saw my confusion and quickly clarified: "No! Her name is actually Love!" So now in class I have the responsibility of calling Love when she raises her hand. It was so awkward yesterday! Maybe I'll just ignore her... she won't mind. After all, Love is patient. Love is kind...

I'll stop now.

What's in a Name? Pt. 2

So with a new school year comes a new headache of trying to remember all of my students names. Thankfully there are some repeats from last year, although I will have to re-learn some of them. I teach 120 students.

Now I've complained here before that the names of kids these days have no true meaning, and all more or less sound the same. I mean, Brayden and Drayden and Dayton and Kaiden and Jaiden and Jaida and... whatever.

Yet there is, or was, hope! There is one girl in my grade five class I noticed right away. Her name is Gabriella. As I was doing my opening day meet and greet with the class I pointed out to her that Gabriella was a beautiful name. She promptly corrected me: "Don't call me Gabriella! Call me Gabby!" Ok. Nevermind.

So here is an updated list of names that I struggle with, or scratch my head over.

There are the usual holdovers from last year: Zenek, Brecken, Serenity, Cheyenne, Kade, and so on.

This year I get to add the likes of: Ruger, Shelten, Chace, Cache (which I think is just a rearranged version of Chace) and, perhaps my least favourite name, Maesyn.

We also have Zaynah, Jenika, Xander, Mercedes, Jazlyn, Ashton, and Tatum (pronounced Tay-tum, as I found out the hard way). There are a couple of Hunters ("So..." I asked one, "do you like to hunt?" He said yes.), a Kaycie, Maicie, but no Stacey or Tracy. A Porter (named after St. Andre perhaps?), and those two trouble makers, Ryden and Rylan. I'm just thankful I don't have little Nixon who just started kindergarten this year (I take it U.S. history is not taught in schools).

Long story short. If you can't decide on a name, either blend two together, or create a new one. Saint names are so pre-Vatican II. And above all, let your child be their own person with a unique name!

But as I always tell my students: if we're all special, nobody is special.