Would this bother you? School Thread

[kimkarli]

As a first grade teacher I dress mostly for comfort. Of course, I keep professionalism in mind, but as previously stated I have to bend down, sit down, get on the floor, ect.. that demands a certain level of comfort in clothing. Please consider that!

 

[Talking Hands]

As a first grade teacher I dress mostly for comfort. Of course, I keep professionalism in mind, but as previously stated I have to bend down, sit down, get on the floor, ect.. that demands a certain level of comfort in clothing. Please consider that!

Yes but you can look professional while still being comfortable. One doesn't preclude the other.

 

[kat3668]

I think that we all as teachers keep professonalism when choosing our outfits for the day. I know that at my job it is of utmost importance that I am able to move freely and quickly! I wear my crocs and sneakers everyday and dress for success in that I am not worried about ruining expensive clothing while trying to implement my curricullum. I get down on the floor, roll down hills sit in the sand and fingerpaint many times in the course of a school year and with the money I make I know I cannot afford to replace clothes every week. I think that teachers should follow dress codes to a certain extent however, Many families need these quidelines in place to keep classrooms appropriate and safe.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

Yes but you can look professional while still being comfortable. One doesn't preclude the other.

I buy almost all of my clothes at LLBean now because they are both nice-looking and comfortable!

 

[Daxx]

If the students have a dress code then the teachers should try to dress as close to it as possible.

Sorry, but no way on God's green earth am I wearing knee socks, a plaid jumper and polo shirt. Just isn't going to happen. It's the school uniform for girls and just b/c it's for them doesn't mean I have to wear it!!!!! It's enough that I've been mistaken for an 8th grader in the past. I don't need to dress like one.

 

[Sinderelli]

I buy almost all of my clothes at LLBean now because they are both nice-looking and comfortable!

Same here! I LOVE their shoes

 

[Pigeon]

I see this from a different perspective- I am a teacher. I am much more inclined to get down on the floor, sit with the kids, paint, dance, play outside, etc. if I am comfortable. Trust me, I would not be sitting on the floor in skirts or heels.

As a parent, I would much rather a teacher who dressed comfortably but really got involved in her teaching than one who dressed "professionally" but stood at the front of the classroom and lectured all day.

Me, too. Give me a teacher who dresses comfortably and interacts with students any day of the week. The tank top issue, I'm a little more ambivalent about. But our elementary school is so hot that I don't begrudge my kids' teachers leaving off the sleeves.

Unless the teachers are out playing on the playground or shooting hoops in the gym, they should be able to wear whatever shoes they want.

 

[SavvyMom]

Me, too. Give me a teacher who dresses comfortably and interacts with students any day of the week. The tank top issue, I'm a little more ambivalent about. But our elementary school is so hot that I don't begrudge my kids' teachers leaving off the sleeves.

Unless the teachers are out playing on the playground or shooting hoops in the gym, they should be able to wear whatever shoes they want.

Exactly. Teachers are college educated adults, not 7 year old children. Teachers ((generally)) do not run around at recess nor do they go to gym. I've seen children fall down while running in flip-flops. It's a safety issue. I understand the point that teachers should dress professionally. Today I wore olive green capris and a blouse. My shoes were "fancy" flip-flops with 'gems' and coins on them. I promise, if I have to run after a child I will kick off those shoes and run bare foot to protect my babies if necessary. Most days I wear long skirts and a blouse. I will say this though - I do NOT think it is appropriate for a teacher to wear "club attire." The children should never see excessive cleavage, cracks, or, um, other anatomical features.

 

[LaraK]

Exactly. Teachers are college educated adults, not 7 year old children. Teachers ((generally)) do not run around at recess nor do they go to gym. I've seen children fall down while running in flip-flops. It's a safety issue. I understand the point that teachers should dress professionally. Today I wore olive green capris and a blouse. My shoes were "fancy" flip-flops with 'gems' and coins on them. I promise, if I have to run after a child I will kick off those shoes and run bare foot to protect my babies if necessary. Most days I wear long skirts and a blouse. I will say this though - I do NOT think it is appropriate for a teacher to wear "club attire." The children should never see excessive cleavage, cracks, or, um, other anatomical features.

With all due respect, in my world, that is not professional attire. Again, I fully understand being comfortable and able to interact with the children, but being a former teacher, I think that the entire profession needs to take a hard look at the image they portray.

Many of the parents of the children do have to wear suits to work every day. Seeing someone in capris says that they are not in a professional position. I think it hurts what I think is one of the most important jobs we have to minimize the professional nature of being an educator. In the real world, image is very important. People will respect those who have a professional demeanor more than those who are wearing casual clothing, it may not be fair, but it's human nature.

I think that polos and slacks, or a blouse and slacks or a skirt would be fine. Flip flops are not safe no matter who is wearing them, but more importantly, they're beach attire, not business attire. Just my opinion.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

i think that the teachers are supposed to be an example to the children and if the children see the teachers wearing things they're not "supposed to" than i think it sends the wrong message.

you should talk to the principal of your school about it. it's only fair to the kids.

 

[SavvyMom]

With all due respect, in my world, that is not professional attire. Again, I fully understand being comfortable and able to interact with the children, but being a former teacher, I think that the entire profession needs to take a hard look at the image they portray.

Many of the parents of the children do have to wear suits to work every day. Seeing someone in capris says that they are not in a professional position. I think it hurts what I think is one of the most important jobs we have to minimize the professional nature of being an educator. In the real world, image is very important. People will respect those who have a professional demeanor more than those who are wearing casual clothing, it may not be fair, but it's human nature.

I think that polos and slacks, or a blouse and slacks or a skirt would be fine. Flip flops are not safe no matter who is wearing them, but more importantly, they're beach attire, not business attire. Just my opinion.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion. I would never wear these particular flip-flops to the beach. I would consider them more like sandals than flip-flops, but they do have the thong between my toes. I guess by definition they are flip-fllops. I do not seem to garner any more respect from my students/parents when I wear a dress than capris. It is certainly a consideration, however. Thank you for your input.

 

[SavvyMom]

i think that the teachers are supposed to be an example to the children and if the children see the teachers wearing things they're not "supposed to" than i think it sends the wrong message.

you should talk to the principal of your school about it. it's only fair to the kids.

My clothes are much more modest than what some of my children wear. The only difference is the shoes. They are required to wear sneakers on PE days. Otherwise, they can wear any shoes they like as long as they keep them on their feet. My students understand that I am 'different'. For example, I drive a car and they don't. They carry a bookbag and I pull a buggy. They know that there are differences between students and teachers.

 

[Daxx]

Today I wore a twinset (sleeveless t-shirt w/cardigan) with cropped pants (not capris) that end 6" above my ankle. I wore 4" high heels (super pointy toes) with this attire. Yes, I can comfortably navigate the stairs and playground in 4" high heels and can run quite well in them. I am quite speedy in my heels ... faster than some teachers who wear flats. Last year, I played a staff vs. students volleyball game in them -- students said I had to b/c I wear them all the time. The students thought they'd have an advantage w/me in 4" heels, figuring I'd wipe out and they'd win. They were wrong ... our team won and I played rather well! I wore my hair pulled back in a pony tail sprayed to high heavens as to avoid any lice issues that someone might bring into my class. I looked casual and professional. I was comfortable enough to get down on my knees to help tie shoes, sit on the mat w/them and do other things that I wouldn't want to do in a skirt, dress or suit. I didn't look like a slob, a skank or a ho. Nor did I look like I was ready for the beach. The ONLY time you'll see me in a dress at school is at Kindergarten graduation! I am too busy to worry about how to properly sit on the floor comfortably in a dress. I get down and dirty alongside my kids ... would not want to do that in a dress or suit.

 

[Daxx]

With all due respect, in my world, that is not professional attire. Again, I fully understand being comfortable and able to interact with the children, but being a former teacher, I think that the entire profession needs to take a hard look at the image they portray.

Many of the parents of the children do have to wear suits to work every day. Seeing someone in capris says that they are not in a professional position. I think it hurts what I think is one of the most important jobs we have to minimize the professional nature of being an educator. In the real world, image is very important. People will respect those who have a professional demeanor more than those who are wearing casual clothing, it may not be fair, but it's human nature.

I think that polos and slacks, or a blouse and slacks or a skirt would be fine. Flip flops are not safe no matter who is wearing them, but more importantly, they're beach attire, not business attire. Just my opinion.

I really think it all depends on where you teach. I teach in the inner city. The only time I see a parent even vaguely dressed up is if they have to go to court for some kind of drug charge or parole violation. Most of the parents come in crappy clothing -- pajamas, sweats, their jeans and a t-shirt. If it was laundry day, then the t-shirt is clean. If not, it prob. has been slept in. My cropped pants are prob. the dressiest things these kids see on a regular basis (aside from the parole officer's uniform, I'm sure). So, they're going to judge ME for wearing cropped pants when they can't even change out of their pajamas to drop their kids off at school? I am sure the parents are happy that I come to school in cropped pants or even capris and not in sweats, pajamas or jeans!

You want to set an example? How about some of the parents dressing appropriately as well? Since when is it appropriate to enter a school wearing pajamas?

I'm going to say this ... those foam type flip flops are definitely beach attire. The nice leather ones w/jewels and trims and a hard sole would be considered shoes if they had a 1"+ heel. I would NEVER wear my hard soled leather w/trim sandals to the beach!!!! They'd get ruined!!!! B/c they're flat, they're flip flops? If they had even a slight heel, you'd call them sandals. Sorry -- those hard soled, leather, jeweled things are far more dressier than the foam bottom and plastic topped flip flops I wear to get a pedicure or to the beach!!!!

 

[LaraK]

I really think it all depends on where you teach. I teach in the inner city. The only time I see a parent even vaguely dressed up is if they have to go to court for some kind of drug charge or parole violation. Most of the parents come in crappy clothing -- pajamas, sweats, their jeans and a t-shirt. If it was laundry day, then the t-shirt is clean. If not, it prob. has been slept in. My cropped pants are prob. the dressiest things these kids see on a regular basis (aside from the parole officer's uniform, I'm sure). So, they're going to judge ME for wearing cropped pants when they can't even change out of their pajamas to drop their kids off at school? I am sure the parents are happy that I come to school in cropped pants or even capris and not in sweats, pajamas or jeans!

You want to set an example? How about some of the parents dressing appropriately as well? Since when is it appropriate to enter a school wearing pajamas?

I'm going to say this ... those foam type flip flops are definitely beach attire. The nice leather ones w/jewels and trims and a hard sole would be considered shoes if they had a 1"+ heel. I would NEVER wear my hard soled leather w/trim sandals to the beach!!!! They'd get ruined!!!! B/c they're flat, they're flip flops? If they had even a slight heel, you'd call them sandals. Sorry -- those hard soled, leather, jeweled things are far more dressier than the foam bottom and plastic topped flip flops I wear to get a pedicure or to the beach!!!!

I work in the inner city of a large east coast city...I see my fair share of slobbishly dressed people, I also see people in business attire when they come into my place of business. I don't base my dress on my customers (or in a teacher's case--parent's) dress, I base it on what is appropriate for the job.

If I am telling others what the behavioral expectations of their position are (employee or student) I have an obligation to model that behavior as well. What is a dress code if not a behavioral expectation. Getting back to the OP, she asked if it was right that the teachers violated the dress code they gave the students. I do not feel it is, I believe it is modeling violation of set rules and that's never a good message to give to a student...no matter where you are. (of course if you are working in a school with a uniform code, it's not entirely the same...but some things, like foot attire are)

I know I dress very conservatively and I expect other professionals to do the same. I'm not always popular in my own work place due to that, but I believe that it matters. Not always a popular opinion, or a politically correct one to voice, but one that's out there.

I have nothing but respect for teachers...I used to be one.

 

[Daxx]

Lara -- my point is that although you might consider my attire to be casual, most of my parents at my school consider my clothing to be very professional. Heck, anything outside of a BK uniform that isn't jeans, sweats of pjs is considered professional! I might come off a bit more casual in a suburban school, but in an inner city school, my attire is considered far more professional than it would be in other parts of the area.

I feel that my clothing choices are suitable for my job. If I can look in the mirror and say "I don't look like I'm going to the beach, a nightclub, to bed or a concert", then I'm dressed professionally. If my principal deems my clothing suitable and doesn't send me home, then she obviously feels my attire is appropriate. It is my principal who has "final say" in my attire. If she feels it's unprofessional, she'll tell me.

The silky camisole top w/lace trim under the suitcoat as business wear is something that doesn't "cut it" w/me. I don't think it's professional. If I were to wear that to school, I'd feel sleazy. Just me. Heck ... others may feel it's a great look for them. If you're one of those people, good for you! I personally do not like the look. It gives me the impression that you had a roll in the hay on your lunch hour, left your blouse behind and just threw your suitcoat over your camisole and went to work that way. However, I have seen this in a lot of businesses that I frequented over the summer. This is a popular look for some tellers in my bank and a hot look in my brother's office. Sorry, but I don't find it professional. That's my opinion.

 

[LaraK]

The silky camisole top w/lace trim under the suitcoat as business wear is something that doesn't "cut it" w/me. I don't think it's professional. If I were to wear that to school, I'd feel sleazy. Just me. Heck ... others may feel it's a great look for them. If you're one of those people, good for you! I personally do not like the look. It gives me the impression that you had a roll in the hay on your lunch hour, left your blouse behind and just threw your suitcoat over your camisole and went to work that way. However, I have seen this in a lot of businesses that I frequented over the summer. This is a popular look for some tellers in my bank and a hot look in my brother's office. Sorry, but I don't find it professional. That's my opinion.

I would also find that to be very unprofessional. Underware should not be worn to work. ..well, I mean it should be worn to work, but you shouldn't be able to SEE it.

Again, I don't think that what you described it over the top (although I must admit I don't get the whole cropped pant thing...I tried some on and felt like I had on high waters...but that's my fashion dunce self). My point is more that the OP said that the students were supposed to "dress for success" and then the teachers did not follow those guidelines...there by saying, I guess, that they were not a success...not the best message to give in my oppinion.

 

[daisyduck123]

Why are there two different dress codes and would you say something? I am mighty tempted to.

These are 2 different groups!
One group is children, the others are college educated professionals at work.
They are adults & can dress themselves.