teacher dress codes

[blessedwithboys]

How do you feel about them? Does your school have one? If not, do you wish it did? Have you helped to create one?

I am sick of having to remind my kid to tuck his stupid uniform polo shirt in, while his teacher is wearing a spaghetti-strap minidress and flip-flops.

And I would especially love to have our MDC teacher mamas weigh in!

Thanks!

[ollyoxenfree]

I've always said that if a school has a uniform policy, it should extend to the teachers and administration too.

I think there are a lot of good reasons for having school uniforms, it doesn't bother me if it's a school requirement. But for the sake of equity, everyone in an organization should abide by the same policies.

I have noticed that when my dc attended schools with a uniform requirement, there were more teachers who dressed sloppily or inappropriately than in schools without.

[NiteNicole]

I don't have a kid in school this year, but I have a lot of friends who are teachers. I think all of the schools in this area have gone to uniforms. When my brother was job hunting in the school system (art teacher), he was told he'd have to change his hair (yellow and red Mohawk at the time), take out his piercings, and cover his (many) tattoos. I know that flip flops and a sun dress would not fly at. Jeans, shorts, and short skirts are out. When I pick my brother up at school, it looks like business attire in any office.

I do not think the teachers need to dress like students. That seems like a really bad idea. Like it or not, they need some authority and dressing them like children is not going to help that, IMO. Also, in high school, sometimes some of the teachers are fresh out of college and they look about student age. They especially need business clothes to reinforce that they are not children.

For myself, I always HATED the rule about tucking shirts in but in our area, girls are still wearing their uniform pants with as low a rise as possible and there are boys who still wear the pants belted half way down their hips (why? just why? it's been going on since I was in high school 20 years ago and I still don't know why) so I guess that helps with that situation, somewhat.

[whatsnextmom]

Our schools haven't done uniforms but I've never seen a teacher innapropriately dressed. Men tend to wear collared shirts, often with ties. Occasionally, you'll see a pair of nicer jeans but usually Dockers. The women often dress nicer than that... short of heals and suits. They always abide by school dress codes... particularly in reguards to spaghetti straps and such.

[ollyoxenfree]

Originally Posted by NiteNicole

I do not think the teachers need to dress like students. That seems like a really bad idea. Like it or not, they need some authority and dressing them like children is not going to help that, IMO. Also, in high school, sometimes some of the teachers are fresh out of college and they look about student age. They especially need business clothes to reinforce that they are not children.

Most adults in uniform convey authority. Airline pilots, military personnel, police officers....

There is not a single argument in favour of a school uniform policy that doesn't also apply to the adults in the organization:

- promotes equity amongst peers - check
- promotes school unity and reflects pride to be identified with the organization - check
- identifies strangers to the school quickly - check
- standardizes "appropriate" dress - check
- makes mornings easier - check

If some people in the organization are required to follow certain dress policies, it's only fair that everyone does. I'm sure the OP won't get far making this argument, but perhaps the administration will listen to concerns about teacher's inappropriate dress.

[StephandOwen]

In ds's school and in the school I'm currently doing my teacher observations at, I've never seen a teacher dressed inappropriate. Women tend to wear slacks, skirts (knee length or longer), capris, blouses, polos, etc. Men tend to wear slacks and button up shirts or polos. On Fridays there are a lot of teachers who wear jeans and a t-shirt (especially the "school pride" t-shirt... lots of students wear them on Fridays too). Never have I seen a tank top, spaghetti straps, short skirts/shorts, etc. Some of the women do wear "flip flops", but they are nicer than the cheapy $1 ones.

I'm doing teacher observations and I'm also a sub para for the school district. I usually wear a pair of khakis and a polo shirt.

[Chamomile Girl]

The best teacher I have ever witnessed practice the craft wore worn tee shirts with jeans. IMO dress code is overrated, both for students and teachers. In places I have taught I have seen waaaaay too much energy diverted to what clothing people wore ("Is appropriate? Should we sanction? Natter, natter, natter...") when there were much more important things to focus upon. The school where I taught did not have uniforms but did have a pretty conservative dress code designed to train students for the business world. Teachers were held to the same standards. As I have mentioned I always felt is was a shame.

[One_Girl]

I taught in a school where the kids wore uniforms and it didn't extend to a teacher, nor were the teachers willing to let it extend to them. There was one kindergarten teacher who wore it because she was more about equality between kids and students, that wasn't the style of most of the teachers. The teacher student relationship isn't the same as the relationship between kids and I don't think it needs to be. There are schools you can go to to get that type of philosophy but public schools are most likely not going to be that place unless you get teacher buy in (which is not likely to happen on the uniform issue).

[sunnmama]

My dh is a hs teacher. There are no uniforms, but they have a dress code for the students, and a more stringent dress code for the teachers.

No one can wear shirts that expose bellies or pants that expose underwear. Students, however, can wear jeans, shorts, flip-flops, and t-shirts. Teachers must wear dressier pants (khakis), closed toe-shoes, button down shirts (for men), etc. Basically, the kid dress code is about decency, and the teacher dress code steps it up to professionalism.

Originally Posted by ollyoxenfree

If some people in the organization are required to follow certain dress policies, it's only fair that everyone does.

Are you saying that the teachers should wear the same uniform as the students? If so, I think that is a bad idea for the reasons NiteNicole listed, as well as a little odd.

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by ollyoxenfree

I think there are a lot of good reasons for having school uniforms, it doesn't bother me if it's a school requirement. But for the sake of equity, everyone in an organization should abide by the same policies.

I don't agree. I think it is OK for people playing different roles to dress differently. However, I think that teachers (and the rest of the staff) should be role models for the students and therefore held to a higher standard.

For example, if the uniform for students is a polo shirt, I don't think the teachers need to wear the same polo, but I do think they should wear nice shirts with collars.

My kids go to a mellow alternative school with no real dress code or uniforms. The only guideline is that shirts are not to carry slogans for alcohol or say things that are inappropriate. It is intentionally left vague, and the only consequence for wearing something "inappropriate" is being asked not to wear that particular item to school again.

The teachers seem to be more about being comfortable than being professional. They are also called by their first names. I haven't seen anything I thought was inappropriate, but it is all very relaxed.

[Drummer's Wife]

My Dd was just complaining about this last night. The kids' dress code isn't that strict (ie, it's no longer uniforms, thankgoodness), but they aren't allowed to wear tank tops or flip flops - both of which she sees teachers wearing.

I think both students and staff should have similar 'rules' for dressing, just b/c it seems fair that way. Also, b/c my DD is confused enough about what is acceptable and what isn't seeing as how her teacher this year is super strict and seems to make up her own rules - we've already met with the principle, and one of the issues was the dress code that is written in the student handbook vs. what my DD's teacher claims.

[ollyoxenfree]

Originally Posted by sunnmama

Are you saying that the teachers should wear the same uniform as the students? If so, I think that is a bad idea for the reasons NiteNicole listed, as well as a little odd.

The exact same uniform? No, like many adult organizations that have uniforms, they could be differentiated to distinguish different roles. So if the kids are in polos and khakis, the teachers could be in collared dress shirts and skirts/trousers.

Why is it odd? If it's a good idea for one person in the organization to wear a uniform, why is it an odd or bad idea for another person in the same organization? Please explain what is odd about it.

But then I also think the same rules should apply for addressing people. If someone is going to call my kid by his first name, then I think he should be able to call them by their first name too - be it teacher, doctor, or whomever.

[sunnmama]

Originally Posted by ollyoxenfree

The exact same uniform? No, like many adult organizations that have uniforms, they could be differentiated to distinguish different roles. So if the kids are in polos and khakis, the teachers could be in collared dress shirts and skirts/trousers.

Why is it odd? If it's a good idea for one person in the organization to wear a uniform, why is it an odd or bad idea for another person in the same organization? Please explain what is odd about it.

Different uniforms make sense, although there are reasons for students to be in uniforms that do not apply to teachers.

The SAME uniform would be odd, esp at the hs level where many students and teachers appear the same age.

[ollyoxenfree]

Originally Posted by sunnmama

Different uniforms make sense, although there are reasons for students to be in uniforms that do not apply to teachers.

What reasons?

[cyncyn]

Originally Posted by blessedwithboys

I am sick of having to remind my kid to tuck his stupid uniform polo shirt in, while his teacher is wearing a spaghetti-strap minidress and flip-flops.

Dd's teacher was wearing this on the first day! While I was a little surprised (her PS K female teacher dressed super conservatively), I am all for personal expression and I don't think people need to dress a certain way in order to be respected. Plenty of tattoos and piercings among the staff as well.

Originally Posted by Linda on the move

My kids go to a mellow alternative school with no real dress code or uniforms. The only guideline is that shirts are not to carry slogans for alcohol or say things that are inappropriate. It is intentionally left vague, and the only consequence for wearing something "inappropriate" is being asked not to wear that particular item to school again.

The teachers seem to be more about being comfortable than being professional. They are also called by their first names. I haven't seen anything I thought was inappropriate, but it is all very relaxed.

We love dd's alternative charter school because it is so relaxed. First names for everyone; mutual respect is expected regardless of perceived authority. The kids and adults wear all kinds of clothes, mostly comfort oriented. Some kids wear what would be considered costumes at other schools. It is a creative open minded atmosphere.

[sunnmama]

Originally Posted by ollyoxenfree

What reasons?

Money. It can be a great relief for the lower/middle income parents to have school uniforms. It levels the economic playing field, in one small way.

This usually isn't an issue for the teachers, who typically make far less than the wealthier students' parents

[ollyoxenfree]

Originally Posted by sunnmama

Money. It can be a great relief for the lower/middle income parents to have school uniforms. It levels the economic playing field, in one small way.

This usually isn't an issue for the teachers, who typically make far less than the wealthier students' parents

I'm playing devil's advocate - although I believe that there shouldn't be different rules. It just strikes me that any argument in favour of kids wearing school uniforms is also an argument that applies to teachers too. I dislike organizations that make up rigid rules for one group, but give a huge pass to another group. The idea of teachers wearing uniforms sounds odd only because it's not traditional and it turns accepted practice on its head.

My kids have had to wear school uniforms, but they've attended pretty easy-going schools too. Today, DS went to school with a green Mohawk, band t-shirt, denim jacket with patches and silk-screened art and the arms cut away to turn it into a vest, torn jeans and calf-high Doc Martins.

So if his teacher shows up in spaghetti straps, it won't bother me too much. Personally, I think it's unprofessional, but after years of telling my kids that appearance shouldn't matter (a little too convincingly, I think ), I can't really say anything.

[AndrewsMother]

Originally Posted by blessedwithboys

How do you feel about them? Does your school have one? If not, do you wish it did? Have you helped to create one?

I am sick of having to remind my kid to tuck his stupid uniform polo shirt in, while his teacher is wearing a spaghetti-strap minidress and flip-flops.
And I would especially love to have our MDC teacher mamas weigh in!

Thanks!

The bolded would bother me. If students can't wear revealing clothing that could attract attention from the opposite sex, why should a teacher dress in that manner?

[EFmom]

I don't know if my school particularly has one for staff. They do have a reasonable dress code for students and I enforce it with my kids. Many parents don't. We don't have school uniforms, which I think are beyond oppressive, and I am happy to do my part to not give any administrator ammunition to start down that road.

Mostly the teachers are dressed professionally. Occasionally, one is not. That doesn't bother me in the least, and of all the issues I'd like the school to address, this one doesn't make my radar.

When my kids point out the unfairness of some other kids getting to violate the dress code, I just tell them that I'm not parenting those kids and in our house, we follow the code. (We also meet pretty much all utterances of "it's not fair" with the statement that "a fair is a place you take pigs to win ribbons." )

If they were to point out how certain teachers were dressed (they haven't), I'd respond in the same way. I'm not in charge of those teachers.

They learned pretty quickly that whining about this kind of thing falls on deaf ears.

[CarrieMF]

the schools here do not have uniforms.

The dress codes for the students are:

no spaghetti straps(wide tank tops are fine)
bottoms & tops must touch
nothing with profanity, alcohol, drugs
flip flops are discouraged for GOOD REASON!

Teachers "dress code" is business-casual. Fridays it's casual most wear jeans. During M-Th the men will wear khaki type pants or shorts, polo, sweater, button up shirt or a nice t-shirt. The women will wear pants, capris, shorts, skirts(above knee or lower), a blouse, nice tank tops(wide strap, very few will wear a spaghetti strap), sweater, nice t-shirt. For shoes they wear dress shoes, high heels(not usually the men,lol), runners, sandles, flip flops.

Ties are only worn by the men IF it is a parent-teacher interview or if the man is over the age fo 50.

Flip flops - there is a HUGE difference between a child in school wearing flip flops and an adult in school wearing flip flops.

First if the child is wearing them IN the school they are not wearing proper gym shoes during gym time(unless the school has seperate gym shoes in addition to indoor school shoes which usually doesn't happen until middle-high school). Teachers are not usually participating in gym, if they are they will usually bring runners to wear in the gym & take off the flip flops/high heels(which would be worse in gym than flip flops unless you like broken/sprained ankles)

Second & more important. If the child is wearing flip flops TO school they are wearing them outside too. Flip flops during recess time are dangerous. Spend 1 week as a supervisor in a school & you'll realize how many injuries happen becuase students are wearing flip flops outside. Toes are stepped on(can happen inside too), toes are stubbed on things more easily, toes are cut or stabbed with loose twigs, rocks, bark chips, glass, etc. Flip flops come off very easily when running & can lead to injury. When playing on playground equipment flip flops are slippery & cause kids to slip off & get hurt. Croc type shoes are just as bad for this.

Teachers are not doing the same things the kids are outside so they can wear flip flops.

In the schools here the Aides/Paras/Assistants don't really have a dress code. When I'm subbing in some schools I'll dress business-casual. In my main job I wear yoga pants & other workout gear, capris, t-shirts, jeans most days, runners, tank tops, sandles, bunny hug(hooded sweatshirt). I have some clothes that have paint on them in a couple of spots. My hair is always pulled back in a faux bun. I never wear make up more than a light dusting of foundation powder.

IMO if the kid I work with(close up, one-on-one, lots of hand-over-hand) can show up to school with feces on his hands, face & hair, smelling like he's peed all over himself for 1 week with no bath, or reeking like maple syrup(which is almost worse than the pee smell), food all over his face & clothes, his hands, legs, feet covered in warts no way am I dressing up to work with him.

I have worn tank tops with skinnier straps but I always have a sweater of some sort with me so I only take it off if we go outside & it's hot. Our school is either hot or cold there is rarely the in between.