Teacher attire?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In MCPS, per the teachers' union contract, there is no dress code. Teachers cannot be made to dress a certain way.

That said, I am guessing that if something were vastly inappropriate, the principal might say something.

God, I'm so freaking tired of unions (and I work for Montgomery County).

Go work for a charter school and see how you like it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:when you're a professional pirate, you don't have to wear a suit

true

But you do have to wear proper pirate attire:
http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/pirate-clothing.htm

[Anonymous]

I'm an elementary school teacher. I work in a portable classroom which does not have carpet. The floors are cleaned once a week (wet mopped). I spend a good amount of time sitting on the dirty floor working with small groups of kids. I'm not wearing dress pants to work. There's nothing wrong with dark rinse jeans and a nice top. Likely, the teachers that dress-up on a regular basis are also the teachers who teach from their desks or stand and lecture from the board.

[Anonymous]

We went on a tour of WES and I couldn't believe the attire of some of the younger teachers.

[Anonymous]

We went on a tour of WES and I couldn't believe the attire of some of the younger teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm an elementary school teacher. I work in a portable classroom which does not have carpet. The floors are cleaned once a week (wet mopped). I spend a good amount of time sitting on the dirty floor working with small groups of kids. I'm not wearing dress pants to work. There's nothing wrong with dark rinse jeans and a nice top. Likely, the teachers that dress-up on a regular basis are also the teachers who teach from their desks or stand and lecture from the board.

So right on! I teach Pre-K and wear (neat, dark wash) jeans every day so I can be down on the floor with my children. When I see an EC teacher wearing a skirt or dress my first reaction is "Why?" followed by thoughts that she is not doing what she needs to be doing in the classroom... my clothing must not be a hindrance to my work, and frankly dressing up is not an option for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In MCPS, per the teachers' union contract, there is no dress code. Teachers cannot be made to dress a certain way.

That said, I am guessing that if something were vastly inappropriate, the principal might say something.

God, I'm so freaking tired of unions (and I work for Montgomery County).

Go work for a charter school and see how you like it.

Charter and private schools may be all that's left after the unions bankrupt the County.

[Anonymous]

I think it's generational. My mom taught first grade and yes, she refused to wear anything dry cleanable because she was covered in art supplies by the end of the day. But she was constantly ironing. I actually (mean daughter) referred to her outfits to my husband in shorthand as Crayola Wear because they so often were monochromatic. Green top, green flowing pants. Of course, I should not have laughed so hard bz I then became a teacher and was so broke my sweet mother *gave* me the Crayola outfits which I gladly wore to work. I have to admit, when I converse with my DC's DCPS teachers who are wearing flip flops and chewing gum (?!) it kind of makes my head explode. My (DCPS) principal made us wear super professional wear. To the point it made me angry cause they certainly weren't *paying* me enough to buy business suits and get dry cleaning. I agree with PPs who say the principal sets the tone. And I think strong principals are phenomenally important to a school. If I liked the principal I would not bat an eye about casual attire among the teachers. I like a principal who supports teachers. Just wouldn't want it to be a reflection of a *lack* of leadership.

[Anonymous]

Teachers should wear clothes they can bend in, dirty and snag--while still maintaining a neat, non-revealing look. A tunic and leggings and flats for women? Comfortable slacks and a polo for men? Much preferable to a crappy, ugly, polyester suit.

[Anonymous]

This is the OP. I found out it was some kind of casual friday/spirit day thing.

I agree teachers should be able to dress casually and comfortably -- especially when teaching little kids, but this seemed unusally casual and, apparently, it was not the usual.

Some of these other posts are surprising me though: flip flops & gum? Wow.

[Anonymous]

Can the principle in MCPS have their own dress code? The school my DS goes the Teachers are all dressed very nice