ure, you need to project a certain image to supervisors, colleagues, parents and students.
Believe it or not, when you were a student in high school, no one ever paid as much at-
tention to what you wore as your students will pay to what you are wearing now.- How short is too short? If you look at yourself in the mirror and wonder if your skirt
is too short or if the slit is too high, then it probably is. Ditto for V-neck tops. - A student once asked a colleague if she knew she had on “hooker” boots. If stu-
dents are telling you how sexy you look, then you need to stop at the mall and buy differ-
ent outfits. Remember, it is really hard to run around a classroom in high heels everyday,
and those pants that sit low on your waist may be great for a night out, but what happens
when you bend over to talk with a student or write on the board? Your job is to help stu-
dents stay focused on the lesson, not on your outfit. - I worked at my school for 2 years before anyone found out that I have a tattoo. Was
I embarrassed by my youthful decisions? No. I just realized that I came of age in a differ-
ent time from many of my colleagues who view tattoos and other forms of body art as “ir-
responsible” and “reckless.” I wanted to make sure that I would be evaluated on my
teaching, not my “cover.” The same goes for nose rings (yes, I had one too), belly button
rings, and all the other piercings that are common today. Not everyone understands why
you choose to decorate your body. In addition, children are impressionable. Some student
might want to be just like you and run home and ask Mom for a butterfly tattoo on her
ankle. This is not the phone call the district superintendent wants to receive. If you feel
strongly about your right to self-expression, make sure you work in an environment in
which it is accepted. - “Casual Friday” is for office workers who have to wear business suits every day of
the week. As a teacher, you have a lot of “clothing” freedom everyday. However, jeans
and sneakers do not a pedagogue make! Denim skirts and tops can also be questionable.
Check with coworkers whom you respect. They are always the best source of information
at a new place of employment. - Dressing professionally and neatly is a lot more important than dressing expensively. I
have seen teachers of all shapes, sizes, styles, and ages mesmerize their students. The com-
mon factor is not how trendy or stylish they are, but rather how professional and respectful
they are. Look at yourself in the mirror before you go to work and ask yourself, “Is the way I
am dressed going to command respect?” If you dress like you deserve respect, then you will
act respectfully, you will treat others with respect, and you will get respect.
Questions to Consider:
Rachel Gaglione recommends a relatively conservative approach to clothing and accesso-
ries.- What do you think of her views on appropriate school dress? Why?
2.How are they similar or different from yours?
Dealing with my streak of self-righteous indignation has been a little more difficult. Lois
Weiner, a former New York City high school teacher and author ofUrban Teaching, The Es-
sentials(1999), believes it is possible to maintain cordial relations with all colleagues, and
suggests smoothing over potential conflicts. When someone says something about students
that she finds offensive, she replies, “I know you don’t believe that so you shouldn’t say it”
(p. 34). I respect Lois a lot, but I was never willing or able to follow her advice. Sometimes
you must take a stand on an issue and cannot avoid making enemies. Everyone in the school
will not be your friend. When colleagues openly and publicly talk about individuals or
groups of students in ways that I find unacceptable, I acknowledge their right to their opin-
ion but challenge what they have to say and their right to say it in an unprofessional man-
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