Should There Be a Dress Code For Teachers?

by Mr. Jason Parker

Opinions about dress are deeply personal, as how we dress is an expression of ourselves to others. Although beliefs about what is or not appropriate vary, my experience is that all members of the school community find the topic engaging. Some of the most controversial conversations I remember have been about student uniforms. Groups will discuss vigorously the details of kilt hem lengths, whether shirts should be tucked or not and/or the colour of socks with surprising urgency and emotion.

In an environment where a student uniform prevails, there is a sometimes implied and often explicit obligation on the part of staff to model the value of professional dress to the students in their care. How we dress speaks to our intentions and leaves an immediate impression, fairly or not, about who we are to others.

Those who are meticulous in both dress and personal care demonstrate attention to details in general. This frequently spills over into other aspects of their lives.  In fact, I have yet to meet a person who pays attention to his or her own presentation while ignoring the details of his or her work. It is true that you do not have to dress well to work well. Nevertheless, it is my experience that regardless of actual competence, others often make quick judgements about our abilities based on the visual impressions we provide. Dress is, for better or worse, used by others as an indication of our relative professionalism.

By paying extra attention to how we dress we communicate an attitude of care for what we do. I have often wondered why we “dress up” for social events, but sometimes neglect attention to dress in our professional environs. Surely, there is no job more important than working with our youth and I believe that all we do should reflect this understanding. As a teacher, whenever I wore a tie, students never failed to notice. I remember a student asking about the special occasion that inspired the use of a tie and I explained that simply being their teacher merited “dressing up”. This was not always the case, of course, but on days I showed up dressed poorly the tone was distinct.

When it comes to addressing “appropriate” teacher dress the topic is a sensitive one. However, in an environment where students are expected to adhere to a strict dress code and uniforms prevail there is often an explicit obligation on the part of teachers to model professional attire for our students. This speaks to equity of expectation and the importance of common commitment to paying attention to the details in all we do.

The problem with identifying “professional” dress for all educators is that our jobs are contextual. What might be appropriate for an administrator, might not be appropriate for a kindergarten teacher. I’m imagining an educator attempting to communicate a welcoming demeanor while they dig in the dirt of the class garden in their suit and tie. What is appropriate in the laboratory and the gymnasium, again, are distinct from the regular classroom.

This complicates the articulation of a common dress code for staff. It is also possible to have a dress code for staff that is not followed. I worked in one school where men were expected to wear ties. This did not ensure they were worn well. A garment that is wrinkled and poorly tied can be frightfully unprofessional, despite the fact it adheres to an explicit dress code.

While I’ve always been less comfortable identifying what “professional” dress is, most people are better able to identify when dress is clearly not professional. Given this, my inclination is to state generally that all staff are expected to dress business casual and should gauge their own presentation in relation to some of the following guidelines:

• Teachers should stand out visibly from their students as the instructional leader within the classroom. You shouldn’t “dress like one of the kids”.

• Teacher dress should model a conservative environment. Clothing should not be revealing. Hair styles and body art should not be overtly provocative. If you have tattoos you may consider covering them. If you have excessive piercings, you might be mistaken as your students’ contemporary.

• Teacher dress should not be confused with casual wear. You shouldn’t look like you’re about to go camping or go to the gym. Your clothes should be clean and in good repair.

• Teacher dress should reflect your role. If you coach, it’s appropriate to dress for physical activity while on the court. When you return to class you should adjust your clothing accordingly. Sometimes it’s difficult to transition between roles. If you coach before school, however, you should get back to your regular clothes for classroom duty by the end of the day.

My final thought is that the topic of professional attire for staff should be dealt with sensitively. A blanket policy is difficult to apply and does not allow for individuals to dress professionally in their own way (and there are many ways to achieve this). When concerns arise, as they inevitably do, administrators should engage others in confidential conversations that keeps others dignity intact while bringing about positive resolutions.