The past tense of cost is usually “cost”.
Very rarely is the past tense “costed” used, it’s more common to just say cost.
In chapter 3, Namesake, Candace Lapidus is introduced in the story as the principal of the school who will be taking Gogol's registration. During their meeting with Gogol's parents, she noticed that Nikhail is the written name on the registration but the parents call the kid Gogol. She then asks the kid what name he prefers and decides to go by it.
This instance shows Candace Lapidus as the archetype of a teacher because she has a genuine interest in the kid. She focuses on the things that will make the kid feel relevant and be more responsive. These are traits most commonly found in teachers.
