Name Game

Being a teacher, certain names have definite connotations. When I was pregnant with both my children, my mom (also a teacher) warned me about naming my children. Of course, we all know kids can be brutal and turn any name into a horrible nickname, but I have taught my fair share of kids to know that I would never name my child Brandon or Kyle or Britney or Ashley or many others. Now, I am not saying all kids with those names are trouble makers but even one can simply ruin the name for you. So now that I have my own kids, appropriately named Ethan and Emily, I cannot help to think about all the kids' names that I teach. Now that I have my own kids I wonder what they will be like when they are in high school. How will their teachers see them?
In all my classes, there is only one Ethan. He is in my lowest level class. He is tall and skinny. A skater boy (or whatever they are called these days). When I asked my students to share something about themselves that they'd like me to know, Ethan told me he had both his nipples pierced.
I also have one Emily, but she is Emelie. A cute girl with dark brown hair and big brown eyes. She seems a bit mousy but very sweet.
I also have a female student named Alex. She is very bright, thoughtful, a bit shy but friendly. A lot like the Alex I know and love.
There is even a Jon - spelled Jon not John. He seems to be well liked, athletic and kind. He even told me to have a good day on his way out of class today.
I also have an Allie and an Allison, which is a bit hard to get used to. I keep thinking the students are calling my name, but then I remember I am "Mrs. Rose" to them. That in itself is weird to hear. Jon's mom is Mrs. Rose.
So far none of the kids have behaved badly enough to ruin any names, but then again, it is only the beginning of the semester.