What should learners call their teachers?

By 2024-10-31T05:56:00

A name badge showing people of different ages and genders

Source: © Gillian Blease/Ikon Images

Step into a classroom and you’ll often hear Miss, Madam and Sir. But is it time for change?

Names are vital to our identities. And what learners should call teachers in the classroom is a longstanding debate grounded in gender issues. Here, Education in Chemistry’s editor  Lisa Clatworthy shares her views on why it matters and invites you to discuss the gendering of title and the pros and cons of switching to Teacher instead of Miss, Madam and Sir.

Thanks for using Education in Chemistry. You can view one Education in Chemistry article per month as a visitor. 

A photograph of a teacher standing in a white lab coat, speaking with a class of children in a laboratory, is superimposed on a colourful background. Text reads "Teach Chemistry means support for classroom and staff room".

Register for Teach Chemistry for free, unlimited access

Registration is open to all teachers and technicians at secondary schools, colleges and teacher training institutions in the UK and Ireland.

Get all this, plus much more:

  • unlimited access to resources, core practical videos and Education in Chemistry articles
  • teacher well-being toolkit, personal development resources and online assessments
  • applications for funding to support your lessons

Set up your Teach Chemistry account

Already a Teach Chemistry member? Sign in now.

Not eligible for Teach Chemistry? Sign up for a personal account instead, or you can also access all our resources with Royal Society of Chemistry membership.