Teacher attire?

[Anonymous]

I have not spent any time in an elementary school since I was a kid, but recently went to tour our local public school. I was surprised by the way a few of the teachers were dressed -- T-shirts (worn-out, short-sleeved, with writing/graphics on them -- not like a nicer long-sleeved T) and leggings -- the tight kind. Also sneakers, but they are on their feet all day so I understood that part. However, T-shirts and leggings -- especially on a day when it is known parents would be touring the school -- surprised me. Basically it was a "just rolled out of bed" or "on my way to the gym" look.

I have several elementary school teachers in mine and husband's immediate family and I asked them and they thought it was odd, but none are in this area and I was wondering what the norm is for this area.

I am not so concerned about the dress in and of itself. But I'm trying to form an impression of a school on a very quick "walk-thru" basis and so unfortunately I had to make an assessment of each classroom in 5 minutes -- not long enough to know if these are some really good teachers. My concern is that the disregard for dress even on a day when parents are present means these teachers are halfway checked out. Surprisingly to me, the younger teachers were dressed up a bit more (still very casual, but not "exercise" casual) and the t-shirt/leggings crew were the older ones (and that actually made it a little more jarring). So I'm concerned if there's some "X years left until the pension" thing going on.

So I am curious -- what have those of you who have spent lots of time in schools seen? Is super-casual dress now the norm or if not the norm not uncommon? Would you take away anything regarding a school culture based on how a significant number of the teachers were dressed?

[Anonymous]

I asked my sister who teaches in a local parochial school which is probably different. Anyway, they have a dress code spelled out in the teacher handbook and the principal will "politely comment" (her words) if they don't abide by it. She wears mostly dressy pants and blouses/sweaters or skirts and tops.

[Anonymous]

I teach Pre-K and need to be able to move and to be comfortable. That said, I also want to be neat. I usually wear dark wash jeans and two layers on top- a shirt and a sweater (I take off the sweater if I'm hot during the day). Usually wear sneakers or sport Mary Janes. Most of my clothes come from Lands End or Eddie Bauer. I would never wear leggings or a short sleeved stretched out t-shirt. The fact that potential parents would be having a tour on any given day would not change my attire for that day, however.

[Anonymous]

There's no one in "exercise casual" at my son's school (local public).

Generally the teachers are in machine washable casual clothes. Slightly frumpy as easily washed clothes usually are (schools are really dirty) No printed t-shirts, for sure.

[Anonymous]

I think a lot depends on the school and the principal. Some people who work at schools dress more casually (teaching assistants, art teachers for example). There are quite a few parent helpers at my child's school in the classroom and they can dress however they want. When I taught, I never wore jeans (unless it was a "free dress day" or "spirit day"). I'd always wear khakis or nice pants, nice cotton shirts or blouses and always flat comfy shoes (but not sneakers). All were machine washable and I rarely ironed anything unless it looked too wrinkled. I never wore anything w/ writing on it.

[Anonymous]

I was a little surprised at how the teachers at my DD's FCPS school dressed when she first started attending. I remember teachers always wearing dresses, skirts of the occasional *gasp* pant suit, LOL! The teachers at her school often wear jeans, yoga pants, etc. The principal and assistant principal don't, but except for a couple of the older teachers, almost all the teachers dress pretty casually. The shorts are often school spirit/logo shirts, but not always.

[Anonymous]

I work in a FCPS school and people do dress fairly casually, but not as casually as the OP describes. Today I am wearing grey cotton pants, a tank top and a cardigan with my Dansko clogs. About once a week I will wear a skirt or dress. This is pretty much the typical attire of most teachers, but some dress up more than that, and other dress way down. On Fridays, we are allowed to wear jeans and as it gets warmer I will wear t-shirts, but usually not ones with logos on them. I will admit I do sometimes wear flip flops to school as it gets warmer.....

[Anonymous]

Please don't make the facile assumption that teachers who are casually dressed are casual educators. Look at what is displayed on their walls, the books that they have in their classroom libraries, and how engaged the children seem to be. Some of the best teachers are the worst-dressed!

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

I work in an independent school where the teachers/administrators have a dress code (as do the students) and my kids go to DCPS elementary school. I would say that there is not much of a difference between the way the teachers/administrators dress at the 2 different schools. My kids' teachers are mostly very professional in their dress, often wearing suits and at the least slacks with a nice cardigan or similar. They could work in a law firm in most of the outfits, maybe some only on "casual Fridays." Rarely jeans and if they are in jeans then there's a reason (field day or similar) and they are still very dressy jeans. This includes the 3-y-o teachers. Very professional dress. I think it sets a nice tone for the whole school and the behavior is quite nicely in control (without being too strict). The teachers are orderly and ready to be there and so are the kids (they wear uniforms).

At the school where I work all the men wear jacket/tie, every once in a while a turtleneck, again on a relaxed day with alternate activities rather than teaching. Most of the women wear nice slacks or skirts/dresses with blazer. We all have days where we dress down a little more than other days, but for the most part, again, very professional.

Teaching is a profession and teachers should not look like they are about to go exercise. Even 3-y-o teachers can wear comfy slacks, a plain t-shirt, and a cardigan and be comfortable without looking bummy. I don't think it necessarily means they are not fantastic teachers, but it would give me pause to look a little farther into the general atmosphere of the school. You want the school to be calm and orderly and everyone's dress does actually have an influence on that. If you don't believe me, come visit our school during Spirit Week. Much different behavior!

[Anonymous]

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.

Our principal sent teachers home for being inappropriately dressed and encouraged some women to wear their sweaters b/c their shirts were too revealing. Standard 6 is related to professionalism, and how you dress is a big part of that.

I understand how difficult it is for many pre-K and elementary teachers (especially those in the arts) to find comfortable, yet professional clothing to wear that is durable . . . b/c kids will rub their faces and hands all over you - and soon enough you're covered in paint, food, and even the icky stuff.

But you still have to present yourself as a professional.

[Anonymous]

Another thing to consider is what day of the week it was. At the school I teach at, on Fridays, very casual dress is the norm. Most of us wear jeans and a sweatshirt or t-shirt with the schools logo on it. If you came on a Monday, you'd see teachers clothing looking very different.

[Anonymous]

Because of the physcial demands of our job (i.e. escorting students up and down stairs, supervising recess, leading science experiments, lugging heavy bags and boxes up and down stairs, putting up bulletin boards, cleaning classrooms, moving furniture, repairing desks and chairs (yes, I have to do that!) etc., most of us don't wear typical office attire.

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

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).