Teacher! Teacher! Maestro!

“Teacher!  Teacher!” They shout, their hands shooting in the air.
 After eight years in the classroom—and after growing up “Hispanic”, albeit with weak Spanish speaking skills—I still find it mildly jarring when a Latino middle school student tries to get my attention in class by addressing me as “Teacher.”  In these cases, they don’t say the usual “Mr. Rodriguez.”  They don’t say, “Excuse me.”  They certainly don’t say “Sir.” 
 Just “Teacher” followed by their question or comment.      
 I realize they mean well.  I know they are literally translating the Spanish word “Maestro” directly into its English form.      
 The same thing happens when they greet me with a solitary “Mister” (invariably pronounced “Meester” with a Spanish accent) and no last name.  The Spanish word for Mister—Señor—sounds more appropriate (though I think the word “Sir” translates more accurately).           
 But such words just don’t translate smoothly into English.   
 When used by students in a U.S. school setting they sound blunt—much too curt.  Definitely not part of the traditional American education vernacular. And sometimes I believe they choose this greeting simply because it contains fewer syllables than “Mr. Rodriguez”, therefore requiring less effort on their part.  
 I can’t always help myself.  I’ll sometimes respond to their one word greetings like “Teacher” with a mildly mocking, “Yes, student.  What do you need?” 
 They laugh or smile at my response.       
 I believe they get my point.         
 Occasionally they will say “But that’s the way they do it in Tijuana,” referring to the usage of “Maestro” or “Señor.”  It all makes sense when they use the Spanish words instead of the English equivalents. I respond with a smile and say, “Hmm. Maestro sounds cool.  You can call me Maestro if you want.” But they never do. Not even the more appropriate “Profesor.” After all, they want to practice their English language skills.            
 I’ll never forget the day I was first addressed as “Maestro” by the parent of a Mexican student.  I felt flattered.  It made me feel important.  The term “Maestro” carries a tone of respect that can’t be so easily captured in most English words.   
 I wouldn’t mind being called “Maestro” all the time.  That’s a title that more appropriately describes what I do—a leader conducting something as unwieldy as an orchestra’s performance (or a middle school classroom), getting each performer to respond to my directions.
 I always think about the memorable Seinfeld T.V episode in which an acquaintance of Jerry, a pompous and eccentric conductor of a third-rate community orchestra, insists that everyone address him as “Maestro”, pronounced the Italian way (Maestro).   
 I laughed the first time I saw that episode. But now I sort of relate to that humorous character. 
 Both the Spanish and Italian pronunciations of the word “Maestro” sound so cool, so impressive. 
 Perhaps the idea isn’t as pompous or eccentric as the Seinfeld scriptwriters made it out to be.

Author

Steve Rodriguez