What to wear to convey my authority as a student teacher.?

Answer 1

Dress like a professional business person. It really annoys me when my teaching colleagues dress like the students, or worse--like hippie rejects from the 60s. If you want to be taken seriously and treated as a professional, then dress as a person in a serious profession. You don't have to wear a suit with a starched shirt necessarily, but do dress in ADULT clothing, conservatively cut and neatly pressed. Avoid displaying cartilage, facial and other body piercings, tattoos, etc. Your job is not about displaying your bodily expression choices.

The other thing you need to do is address your students as though you ARE IN CHARGE, whether you FEEL it or not. They'll get it. Good luck! Welcome to the ranks!

Answer 2

Don't take this the wrong way, but, as a student teacher, you don't have any real authority. No matter what you say or what you wear, students will look to the cooperating teacher when you call them down for something they've done. They'll look at him/her with that look that says, "Do I really have to obey this intern?"

Given the time of year, I'm supposing that you're about to begin. There are all types of cooperating teachers. Some will be afraid to let you have it on your own, and some will simply leave the classroom when you start, feeling thankful that they're getting a break. Just hope and pray that you can get paired with one who will be the happy medium.

Just as everyone else has said, dress professionally for now. When you have your own classroom, you can then begin thinking about such tactics. The question then will be how to convey authority without conveying that you operate a dictatorship.

You'll learn more during your first two weeks on the job than you will during your entire internship. You'll learn to choose your battles, laugh and smile along with your students, and you'll learn to thoroughly enjoy your position. I wish you all the best.

Answer 3

Dress professional but yet comfortable. Pants not jeans are appropriate and a nice blouse to go with it. Do some observation around the school and see what other teacher's wear. The clothes will not convey or bring authority to the students, your behavior, personality and classroom managements are more vital than appearance

Answer 4

Firstly, don't dress like the students. You aren't one of them anymore. Choose clothing which is a bit "older", and stay more on the formal side. Clothing should be more functional than stylish, though a certain amount of style is a good idea. Chose a hair style which is appropriate for a position of authority. Pink hair is definitely out. Looking like you spent eighteen hours in front of the mirror is also out.


Convey yourself as you would expect someone in authority to convey themselves. You are in essence acting the part of a teacher. This means that you dress like one, talk like one, walk like one, and live like one. How you carry yourself is how people see you. As a teacher, you have to remain in that character all the time.

Answer 5

I'm not good with fashion so I can't tell you exactly what to wear but I have some recommendations on what NOT to wear.

1. Do not wear casual clothes. This is a professional position and you need to dress the part.
2. Do not wear short or low cut clothes. Trust me the students will notice.
3. Do not wear "trendy" clothes or clothes that are similar to what the kids will wear. They will tend to see you more as a peer instead of an authority figure. This means you may have to dress older than you like but it will help in establishing your authority.

Answer 6

That is a super good question. The problem with all females that work in the educational field have a tendency to dress down. For example the teachers up in their 30's dress as if they are still at home in the kitchen. Those in their 20's dress like the students.

One has to look and behave professional. When one looks professional respect is an automatic behavior from the students. When one looks like the mother that dropped them off, no respect will be had. And, if your dressing like the students you will eventually be having an affair with one. Its a given and temptation is there. The student knows exactly what he/she is doing and its up to you, who is in authority to draw the line and not cross over.

Answer 7

Dress professionally. Visit the school before you begin to see what the other teachers are wearing. (Don't go on a Friday because some schools have casual Friday, so that may not give you a good general idea.) Some schools have a strict dress code and others allow more casual clothes like capris, sandals, etc. Speaking from my own experience as a student teacher, my attitude and body language sent a stronger message than my clothes did. My goal was to establish a relationship of trust and respect rather than one of authority. However, I remember being scared out of my mind and worrying that the class wouldn't listen to me... so I understand your question. :) Good luck to you!

Answer 8

I would dress nicely in dress pants and a shirt, or a skirt outfit. Don't try to dress older than your age and dont' dress frumpy. Make sure your clothes are ironed. I am a substitute teacher, moving toward a fulltime teacher. Your authority is conveyed in your manners, personality, tone of voice and how you carry yourself. Its just professional and "proper" to dress nicely. Don't get all glittery with tons of jewelry sparkling..take out any body piercings, cover tattoos if possible, and don't wear odd color nail polish like blue, green, etc. Grooming is a plus, it will look good to the administration, students pay attention but not as much as the teachers, principals and those turning in your performance evaluation to your professors.. Good Luck!

Answer 9

Suits are a bit much on a student teacher budget, but whatever you can do to show you are put together will help. Again, of course you do not want to look like them (although some will wear older styles, at least if you're in high school and middle school). Though it pains me, I do not advise jeans. My principal doesn't even like them on teachers. They are one more way for you to get lost in the crowd.

Do dress comfortably and consider how you will be running your class. For example, I don't do skirts much anymore because I'm forever crouching next to someone's desk.

Do consider school policy. If your assigned school says no sleeveless shirts, wear sleeves at all times. Students will respect you more if you stick by the same rules they have to.

Also, do consider maintenance. I know I hated to get up at 5:30 AM to iron things. The handies tip in this department, though, is to iron things and choose your ensemble the night before (some advice I am glad I took...when I keep up with it). I doubt you'll have a lot of time for handwashing or budget for drycleaning, so look at those tags as you build your teacher wardrobe. This way you can be sure to look put-together instead of rumpled and smelly--sure ways to turn off the respect factor.

Good luck in your new position!

Answer 10

Dress like the other teachers in the building. That is what the students expect from a teacher. You also need to adopt the discipline styles/attitudes of the other teachers as quickly as possible. Just make sure the students see you acting like the "real" teachers and they will accept you as one. You can adjust everything to your own style after they have accepted your authority.