Anonymous
Post 02/25/2024 09:54     Subject: Dress as a teacher day
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I posted above. I’m a little surprised so many people are okay with this.

If we asked students to dress like each other, I assume most of us would realize the potential for mocking and bullying. But since it’s teachers, this is acceptable?

I’ve seen high schoolers use this day to ridicule teachers they don’t like. I’ve seen teachers go home rather upset because teenagers picked on things sensitive to those teachers.

But I suppose the teachers should just grow a thicker skin?


1) I am struggling to think of what would offend me. Maybe if I was disabled and a kid came with a cane or wheelchair as a joke? When students have dressed up as me they’ve worn punny shirts in my subject, put their hair in a bun like I tend to wear, and brought a stuffed dog because I have a whole pack of dogs at home. It’s cute!

2) if students really did offend a teacher to the point of tears or frustration, those students should be talked to to learn why it was hurtful and what to do differently next time. It’s a teachable moment. If it was done to intentionally offend the teacher, there should be consequences.

We don’t cancel Halloween because some kids dress in inappropriate outfits. We teach those kids why those costumes aren’t a good idea and direct them to something else.


Thank you for TEACHING, teacher! This fills in an important guidance gap kids just may not have at home! Kisses.


I suspect the teacher above would also have issues with this day if she had witnessed what can happen at the high school level.

Since the consensus on this thread is that imitating teachers is all in good fun, even though we would not want students imitating each other (and for good reason), then I’ll simply leave this thread.
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2024 09:30     Subject: Dress as a teacher day
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I posted above. I’m a little surprised so many people are okay with this.

If we asked students to dress like each other, I assume most of us would realize the potential for mocking and bullying. But since it’s teachers, this is acceptable?

I’ve seen high schoolers use this day to ridicule teachers they don’t like. I’ve seen teachers go home rather upset because teenagers picked on things sensitive to those teachers.

But I suppose the teachers should just grow a thicker skin?


1) I am struggling to think of what would offend me. Maybe if I was disabled and a kid came with a cane or wheelchair as a joke? When students have dressed up as me they’ve worn punny shirts in my subject, put their hair in a bun like I tend to wear, and brought a stuffed dog because I have a whole pack of dogs at home. It’s cute!

2) if students really did offend a teacher to the point of tears or frustration, those students should be talked to to learn why it was hurtful and what to do differently next time. It’s a teachable moment. If it was done to intentionally offend the teacher, there should be consequences.

We don’t cancel Halloween because some kids dress in inappropriate outfits. We teach those kids why those costumes aren’t a good idea and direct them to something else.


Thank you for TEACHING, teacher! This fills in an important guidance gap kids just may not have at home! Kisses.
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2024 09:27     Subject: Re:Dress as a teacher day
Anonymous wrote:Why exactly is this type of even needed? What is this teaching?


I asked this above. I was a bit surprised by the comment that mocking teachers could just be turned into a teachable moment for the students. Astounding.

I won’t post what the teenagers did because I respect the teacher too much. What I will say is that they intentionally picked something notable about her appearance and unkindly emulated it. A large group of kids. It was extremely cruel and it’s why I am 100% against this day. I suppose the teacher should have just laughed it off and used it as a teachable moment, right?



Anonymous
Post 02/25/2024 09:18     Subject: Re:Dress as a teacher day
Why exactly is this type of even needed? What is this teaching?
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2024 09:16     Subject: Dress as a teacher day
Anonymous wrote:I never heard of this day. What school is doing this? All schools? Who came up with this?


At my school spirit weeks are determined by SGA or the relevant club. For black history month, the black student union created a week of themes. For homecoming week, student government voted on the themes. Admin obviously approves them before they are made official.

“Dress like a student/dress like a teacher” day is my favorite as a teacher. Sweats, crocks, and a hoodie. Amazing.
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2024 09:14     Subject: Dress as a teacher day
Anonymous wrote:I posted above. I’m a little surprised so many people are okay with this.

If we asked students to dress like each other, I assume most of us would realize the potential for mocking and bullying. But since it’s teachers, this is acceptable?

I’ve seen high schoolers use this day to ridicule teachers they don’t like. I’ve seen teachers go home rather upset because teenagers picked on things sensitive to those teachers.

But I suppose the teachers should just grow a thicker skin?


1) I am struggling to think of what would offend me. Maybe if I was disabled and a kid came with a cane or wheelchair as a joke? When students have dressed up as me they’ve worn punny shirts in my subject, put their hair in a bun like I tend to wear, and brought a stuffed dog because I have a whole pack of dogs at home. It’s cute!

2) if students really did offend a teacher to the point of tears or frustration, those students should be talked to to learn why it was hurtful and what to do differently next time. It’s a teachable moment. If it was done to intentionally offend the teacher, there should be consequences.

We don’t cancel Halloween because some kids dress in inappropriate outfits. We teach those kids why those costumes aren’t a good idea and direct them to something else.
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2024 09:10     Subject: Dress as a teacher day
I never heard of this day. What school is doing this? All schools? Who came up with this?
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2024 09:07     Subject: Dress as a teacher day
Anonymous wrote:I posted above. I’m a little surprised so many people are okay with this.

If we asked students to dress like each other, I assume most of us would realize the potential for mocking and bullying. But since it’s teachers, this is acceptable?

I’ve seen high schoolers use this day to ridicule teachers they don’t like. I’ve seen teachers go home rather upset because teenagers picked on things sensitive to those teachers.

But I suppose the teachers should just grow a thicker skin?


I am a HS teacher and I’m trying to think of what they could do to make any teacher in my school that upset. I’m overweight, I guess they could wear a fat suit? I’m really trying to think here.
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2024 08:10     Subject: Dress as a teacher day
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I posted above. I’m a little surprised so many people are okay with this.

If we asked students to dress like each other, I assume most of us would realize the potential for mocking and bullying. But since it’s teachers, this is acceptable?

I’ve seen high schoolers use this day to ridicule teachers they don’t like. I’ve seen teachers go home rather upset because teenagers picked on things sensitive to those teachers.

But I suppose the teachers should just grow a thicker skin?


That wouldn't happen at all schools. If students can't handle it then the schools shouldn't have it. But I'm sure in many instances it's fine.


I just don’t see why it’s okay to ridicule or mock teachers, and that’s what days like this promote. We would never allow children to do this to each other, so why is it okay to do it to adults? What message are we sending here?

My daughter’s school did this. She came home with an idea that would have been hurtful to the teacher, so we didn’t let her do it. Her intentions weren’t negative, but she is too young to see the nuance.

I continue to stand as a voice against these types of spirit days. There are tons of ideas that promote solidarity and joy, so there’s no need to pick one with the potential to mock.