Consider the wisdom expressed by my friend Kyle, a substitute teacher studying for her Masters:
Much as I would like to dress as a hippie, I dress respectable when I am teaching. I am amazed at how many teachers sport jeans and sweatshirts(sometimes principals). It is too hard to get respect as it is and I feel it is my duty to provide as much of a positive role model as possible. On the brighter side, in one of my classes someone brought up that she always wears colorful clothing to interest students. I thought that was interesting. It explains why sometimes I see teacher dressing like they live in Hawaii.
from facebook comments on my post about Chase Bank’s dress code. Clearly, it makes a different with what age group you are working, but she makes a good point about establishing respect.
The Cliff-notes on achieving an authoritative ensemble:
- avoid leisure elements
- adopt an upper layer: blazer, cardigan, tailored vest
- choose high authority color combos: high contrast (such as navy/white), neutrals (gray, taupe, ivory, and so on), or monochromatic (but probably not a playful color, like orange)
- use serious, coordinated accessories. Save the fun stuff for after your authority is well-established
Establishing yourself in a new setting offers a great opportunity to match your visual impression to your unique personality. My rule of thumb has been to dress scrupulously in my own unique idiom for the first three weeks of any new commitment. After that I loosen up. 🙂
Teachers have an additional challenge: they must cope with messy projects (and sometimes messy students). The job is hard on clothes, which is why so many, especially in primary grades, resort to wash n’ wear, jeans and poly.
One of my kindergarten teacher friends says she takes care to dress in soft, touchable clothes, like a velour hoody,. Projecting comfort (to little ones) is more important than projecting authority- which comes later.
I like your friend’s idea. Shows she cares and is putting the needs of the students first. Certainly the parents are comforted by her care for their little ones as well. 🙂