How important is dress sense for teachers? Are well-dressed teachers more likely to be successful?

Answer 1

Yes, dress is important to a degree, but it is not even one of the most important factors that contribute to success. And how do you define success? Is that a teacher who can reach all students, or is it the teacher who makes the most money? I've known very well-dressed teachers who had a tough time, and very casually dressed teachers who were marvellous.

Teachers dress in a style that suits the school and community in which they work. Over-dressing is as big a mstake as dressing down. Some teaching jobs demand very casual and comfortable dress - for example a teacher who is required to do personal care and lifting of students as part of the job will need to dress differently from the teacher who teaches only high school math. Attitude and skill are much more important to success than dress.

The best rule of thumb about dress is to follow the lead of other teachers in the school ad community doing similar work. Don't be scruffy, though. Students don't respect teachers who are scruffy. Neat and well groomed and presentable and comfortable is good, but you don't need to worry about making a fashion statement unless you really want to.

Oddly enough, with students sometimes eccentric is also good. Eccentric can stand out in a good way. When I was an elementary school principal I had a pair of very comfortable green suede "buckle and t-strap" shoes the kids loved - on the soles one shoe had a red section and the other had a green section - to show right and left, I told them - the kids loved to see the soles of those shoes.

I hope my thoughts help.

Answer 2

Just from reading the answers to this question I could tell who was from an English-speaking background - where most schools still force students to wear a uniform and impose ludicrous dress codes on teachers. I was a teacher myself (not in UK) and always felt that it did not matter one bit whether I wore a formal suit or just jeans and a shirt. Students are a bit smarter than just judge you by your appearance!
My recommendation would be: Especially if you are a beginner, dress in clothes that you feel truly comfortable in. If your school has a dress code, then dress in formal but comfortable clothes in which you feel happy and confident. Don't wear clothes that are new and that you haven't really tried out yet - if you are uncomfortable in your clothes, that will show in your teaching! So make sure you like what you wear - dress code or not - in order to avoid worrying about appearance while coping with a class full of pubescent teenagers...

Answer 3

Successful at what? Teachers should dress appropriately for the school they work in. If it's hot, then naturally you will need to wear fewer items of clothing (like a tie). However, the better dressed, the more professional. Success really depends on the standard of teaching.

Answer 4

I assume here that you are talking about "normal" public class rooms. And in that case, yes, teachers should be dressed professionally. Clothing really does change attitude from and toward you. However, you also have to dress to your job. It would be inappropriate to teach hands on horticulture in heels or a tie. In that situation, jeans (without holes and not faded) and a nice collared golf type shirt (without business logos, etc) would be very appropriate and still command respect. Again..it depends on your teaching style and subject matter, but looking your best for the lesson is as important as knowing your subject matter and students.

Answer 5

Good grooming and appropriately dressed teachers will get the attention and respect of students, no matter what age they are. As a former elementary teacher, I found the children really enjoyed pretty jewelry and bright, cheerful clothing. And well-groomed and well dressed teachers are good role models to students. AND SOME OF OUR STUDENTS COULD CERTAINLY USE SOME HELP IN HOW TO DRESS APPROPRIATELY FOR SCHOOL!

Answer 6

When I did my teacher training we were expected to dress professionally, to encourage a professional attitude to what is a tough job which should encourage and command respect. You turn up in a t-shirt and jeans in an effort to be 'down' with the kids and they will laugh at your pathetic efforts to be cool. The difference must be made between pupils and teachers and smart dress is a must. Most children have to wear school uniforms (in the UK in any case) so why should teachers not put any effort into what they wear?

P.S. Gave up on the teaching lark - couldn't be doing with the horrible little b*****ds.

Answer 7

Fashion sense doesn't matter, but dressing in an appropriately 'professional' way gains respect from parents and fellow staff and gives a good example to kids (plus it says you respect them enough to dress properly!).

Inappropriate dress can lead to people getting the wrong impression- especially for female teachers. A short skirt or low cut top looks dodgy, if you see what I mean!!

Answer 8

from personnal experience how a teacher is dressed has no effect on the pupil, a teachers control of the class and understanding of what they are teaching is what is needed, a teacher's dress sense was never what i thought about when i was learning

Answer 9

Does not matter, meaning that a well dressed teacher might not know a lot about what he is teaching.

It is more important on what he knows.

Answer 10

Our teahers (Philippines) have their own school uniforms. So, I can't tell much about it. But I agree that teachers should have dress well to gain more respect. not much to do with a well dressed teachers are successful.