With our observational practicums fast approaching my question is about how we should dress in the classroom. As young teachers we need to dress in a professional manner if we want to be treated as professionals by our host school and our students. The last thing I want is for some students to mistake me for a new student! I grew up in Northern BC, and the dress code was very casual for teachers at my schools. What is it like in Victoria? How should we dress to impress? What is appropriate clothing for the classroom and what is not?
Any comments or questions would be appreciated. Maybe people who went to high school in the area can share their knowledge from their time in school. Maybe Chris can help us to answer some of the trickier questions regarding protocol. Thanks!
I think this is an excellent and very important question, Cameron!
ReplyDeleteAnd i think as young teachers, its an even more important issue because we are not a whole lot older than the people we will soon be teaching. Seperating ourselves in this way is crucial to setting up the student/teacher dynamic, at least in my opinion.
While in class, a shirt, tie and dress shoes are an absolute must. Or maybe a polo shirt and jacket. We are professionals, goddamnit, and we deserve to dress the part! Obviously gym, cooking, shop are exceptions, but for the rest of the time, default to the formal.
Dale has in my mind what exists as the good old fashioned teacher, and this is what i would think of initially when im trying to think of what a teacher would dress like. However I have now begun to think about this a bit more and i'm leaning towards a casual formal as i think overly formal could make you appear to command to much authority and lose respect from students, and encourage them to challenge you. As my teaching philosophy develops i want to include a comfortable relaxed learning environment as I believe students will be more willing to learn. I don't meen over the top accomplish nothing relaxed but I don't want the students to enter the class and feel intimidated because im dressed like an elite. plus I wouldn't feel super comfortable dressed like that in front of the students. So come practicum time I will be attempting to maintain a professional look but i don't think i will be slayin a tie in my get-up unless it is mandatory.
ReplyDeleteI personally plan to wear khakis to work and a golf shirt. It looks reasonably professional but not too much. If my mentor teacher is a very casual person over the two weeks I may start to dress more casual. I agree with Rhy be more on the formal side but don't over do it.
ReplyDeleteWhat about for us girls?
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit concerned about looking too young, or blending in as a student.
But... like Rhy and Colin not wanting to rock ties I'm feeling like the whole suit thing would be too much.
Ideas ladies? Is it all cardigans from here on out? I hope not.
I think there are three basic dress codes for most workplaces. Professional, business casual and casual. I think all three would be fine for teaching in a school but depending on the school environment you may swing towards one of those three looks most often. I think you can just observe for a few days and see what other teachers are wearing and what look you would be most comfortable with when teaching.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I can't see myself wearing professional attire like suits or even a blazer to teach every day, not that I have these types of clothes. Business casual is probably a pretty safe bet, a nice pair of pants with a nice top or sweater is the gold standard of appropriate for just about any type of school. I also think the casual look is fine for most schools, for instance a pair of nice jeans with a nice sweater or top or a knit dress with leggings is casual but appropriate. I think you just need to have nice shoes to go with all the different looks ;).
While it is important to separate yourself so you don't blend right in with the students it wouldn't hurt to have an aspect that the students can relate to you with quickly can't hurt.
I think we need to maintain a professional look, especially as we are not 'official' teachers just yet. It is best not for our students to think of us as someone in training, but as serious professional educators and if you walk in looking like the students I think we are heading for trouble.
ReplyDeleteI think there are more elements that we can use to relate quickly to our students with then just our clothing.