[KyleGoetz]

My big tip, since you're going to be doing names, is remember that if you find a famous person with the name on Wikipedia-English, usually on the left-hand side you can click on 日本語 and read the Japanese article on the person and see how to write his name.

So if you think "How do I write 'Rodney' in katakana?" just go on Wikipedia, look up Rodney Dangerfield (a comedian—not sure if Caddyshack was ever famous across the pond), go to the Japanese version of his page, and you'll see ロドニー・デンジャーフィールド, so ロドニー is your answer!

Also, be glad you're not teaching in Wales! I can't imagine having to write LLLeeyyywwwyyylllyyyeeennnyyylllnnn in katakana!