Thank you all for the great suggestions. I spent another day in class (I'm still observing other instructors) and made the decision to be called Ms. Martinez. While I'm more comfortable being called by my first name, there are several reasons I chose to use my last name. Mainly, as I stated in a separate post, I am a fairly young instructor and given my height is that of preteen, I feel I must assert my leadership role at every opportunity. Sort of my Napolean complex, I suppose. Thanks again to everyone who took the time to respond.

I asked in an earlier forum but I feel this forum is more appropiate for my question.... I'm finding it difficult to get used to being called by my last name and wouldn't mind being called Ms. Annie (my first name). Is this too friendly or informal? About half of the instructors at my campus use their first names so I wouldn't be going against the grain but I do want to maintain the role of class leader. How do you prefer to have your students refer to you and why?

As a new instructor, I find it hard getting used to being called by my last name. Sometimes, it just doesn't even register when I hear it. I'd prefer if they called me Ms. Annie (my first name) but is that professional enough? Is it overly friendly? Most other instructors at my campus use their last names or the first initial of their last name but there are a few who use their first names. Please share which way you prefer to be called and why.