Should teachers have a dress code?

Question

This question is not to say that it is acceptable to wear "club gear" to teach but more if you think teachers should wear "professional clothing" (i.e., males wear ties, females wear skirts and dress pants). Does a teacher's dress affect student learning? Basically, if a teacher wears jeans and sneakers, is that sending a poor message?

Answer 1

I agree with a lot of what most of you have said so far. In our school we have the "casual business attire" rule and we can wear jeans on Fridays. I like that. However I think there is a difference between the professional dress that a person can wear who sits behind a desk all day or who is in meetings and what I can reasonably wear as a teacher. I find myself in an un-air-conditioned room kneeling on the floor to help a student, climbing on chairs to reach the TV, or even up on the counter to catch the praying mantis that entered our room, so please don't expect me to wear 3 inch heels, pantyhose, and a blazer. I usually wear khakis or black dress pants and a somewhat casual top. I agree that the more casual dress makes me more approachable by students. But when something important is going on I do dress up more - Open House, Conferences, etc.
Shoes are another story, I happen to have a foot ailment and have a doctors note that allows me to wear tennis shoes all the time. However, I have found other dressier shoes that my foot will withstand, and wear them as often as I can. But when it comes to teachers and dress shoes, please remember, a good teacher (especially in the younger grades) is on his or her feet 8 hours a day, usually running from one side of the room to the other, and up and down several flights of stairs (depending on the school). Lunch and my planning period are the only times I sit, so comfortable shoes are a must.
Please don't make me wear clothing that will have me worrying about whether i have a run in my hose instead of noticing that Sammy is struggling with his math problem.

Answer 2

I believe that teachers are at work and are setting an example for our children.
Jeans and a tee shirt top with sneakers, although comfortable is not business casual and creates a lacks atmosphere for the class. If the teacher expects to be listened to and create a serious learning environment, then business attire should be the norm.
Besides we are hearing too many teacher and student relationships in the news so anything revealing, suggestive or too hip will just get those adolescent minds churning.
There's nothing wrong with casual Fridays or on a field trip for more casual dress. Many businesses have at least adopted this idea.
I feel getting dressed up in a tie and suit or jacket makes me feel more powerful and respected in the work place.

Answer 3

I agree with the last answer. There are sometimes reasons that dressy attire just doesn't make it. I teach in a school that is almost 100 years old. It is dirty and not air-conditioned. Last Aug. my classroom was 98 degrees (plus high humidity). Don't tell me ANY business would expect their employees to come to work, let alone dress in a dress and heels or a tie. Most schools in the area permit long (at least to the knee) shorts and tees during the summer. Before we went to year-round I did try to dress nicer but the heat is intolerable.

I have to add that when the weather cools off some, I do dress more "appropriately". I usually wear skirts and a t-shirt or a jumper. Since I have significant foot problems, comfortable shoes are a must. I wear whatever is comfortable, including tennis shoes, but they are nice-looking and don't look like I've been out jogging in them.

Answer 4

Teaching is a job. And almost all companies have dress codes. Schools are no different. Yes, I think professional clothes make a difference. Getting accused of being a student is not the goal. You want show the students that they matter enough for you to make an effort,

That doesn't mean you have to dress in polyester pant suits. You can still dress in your style, just in a professional manner. No cleaveage, not even a hint, nothing too tight, no belly showing, and make sure shoes aren't too sexy.

It depends on the age of your students too. Mine are 12 and 13-adolescence is beginning! I have to be careful what I wear and the boys STILL stare. The hormones are raging, but your job is to keep them on task, not distract them.

Oh, good hygeine too. That's the number one thing I hear kids complaining about in regard to teachers.

Answer 5

Yeah, they do have dress codes, they just don't follow them. They have a code of conduct as well and break that too. When I was in school, we'd see some of our teachers in night clubs, strip clubs, you name it. They'd have students over for sleepovers, go to hotels with students and all. Their dress takes away from the lesson if students are more focused on what they're wearing and where they got the outfit from and what namebrand is it. It's also disturbing and hard to respect them as an authority figure when they act like they're in high school themselves.

Answer 6

You have to be professional. Would you go to a doctor in shorts with a hawaiian shirt talking to you like "yo dude, waz the problum"?

You have to make a difference with the students, because you have to control the class. For example some people have tattoos but students can be distracted in the classroom with anything.

Students should also have a dress code, it reduces the difference between rich and poor kids and anyway, they dress the same when there is no dress code days, so don't grill me with individuality.

Answer 7

YES, it sends a bad message. Teachers are always complaining that they are not treated as "professionals." They need to dress as professionals, and then maybe, just maybe, they would be more respected. Said by a teacher of 40 years experience. How can a kid look up to a teacher dressed in dungarees, a tee shirt, and sneakers. Teachers are supposed to be good models. Poor dress models poorly.

Chow!!

Answer 8

I think it totally depends on the teacher as to whether jeans and sneakers send a poor message. I prefer to dress up during the week and wear jeans and sneakers on Fridays. My kids know that I mean business regardless of what I wear, and they know that I'm willing to get down and dirty and goofy too. I don't think it's appropriate to always dress down though. Our students are in essence our clients, and it's important that we show them that we take them seriously and find their education to be important. Dress can certainly reflect this. With that said, I live in the south with an energy Nazi controlling our A/C. I refuse to wear pantyhose every time I wear a skirt because I'd be a worthless sweaty mess.

Answer 9

I think that is a good idea... Uniforms are a good idea I think in order to help distinguish where a person works or schools... Teachers should be expected to wear a regulation type dress, just like many other employees are expected to in their jobs and as role models for students.

With uniforms however I don't think people should be so fussy as to worry that they don't have identical socks to everyone else, particularly when they are covered with long pants... I saw a student get detention for that once and thought it was very petty.

Answer 10

Teachers have their own handbook which contains their "dress code." Ours states that a teacher should present a "professional appearance." We are allowed to wear jeans every-other Friday and have a dress-up theme for that day (your college, your favorite looney toon, your favorite football team, etc.)

Our foot wear is not stated in the dress code. I, for one, like to wear sneakers on days that I have chemistry or physics labs scheduled. I have checked with the administration and they have given me permission to wear jeans on lab days, too, since I do not want to ruin good clothes.

If you have any questions about your school's teacher dress code I suggest you read your faculty handbook.