The Snyder

I recently wrote a blog about names, but forgot to write about the interesting things that have come up because of my name.  I've got my opening speech consisting of, "Hello, my name is Mrs. Snyder and I will be your teacher today" down pat.  I don't even have to think about it too much anymore.  It's kind of fun writing Mrs. Snyder on the board each morining like I'm claiming the classroom in my name.  Usually I am quite happy to revoke my ownership of the room by the end of the day though.  Some schools also welcome their guest teachers by name of the intercom during the morning announcements.  It's a bit exhilarating to hear my name over the intercom.

I've had some students do some interesting word plays with my name as well.  Snyder, in all of its different spellings, is quite the common name.  At the school where I completed my student teaching and have subbed at a few times since has a librarian named Mr. Snyder.  I get asked by every class if I'm married to said Snyder.  Ironically, this Snyder is also named Richard, like my actual husband, and spells Snyder with a "Y" like I do.  I have since learned to just add the "no relation to Mr. Snyder the librarian" to my opening speech at this school.  I was asked by my fifth grade class yesterday if I was their Mr. Snider's (a sixth grade teacher) daughter.  I've also had a few students named Snyder that get quite excited to share a name with their teacher.

I think the name thing that has surprised me the most is that many elementary students seem to like to rhyme my name with spider.  I don't know if I look particularly archanidish, but I announce my name and first graders giggle with glee "Mrs. Spider?"  I know they are hearing me correctly, but somehow they cannot just accept a name for what it is.  Maybe it's because they are young, but I still find it amusing.