My main rule was that I wouldn't be called "Mista" I thought the students would show me respect if they identified me as a person and not just any white guy they had to listen to in school. I introduced myself as Mr. Kaminski and wrote my name on the chalkboard. I asked the students to repeat if I mispronounced them.

When I was saying my name, one girl said, "Ka-what? I ain't sayin that." So Mr. K was the compromise. At least it wasn't Mista.