Should there be a dress code for school staff?

NEA Today, Nov 1996 by Pham-Remmele, Thuy, Harrison, Cathy

To dress professionally requires class, pride, and some effort. Not to dress professionally shows carelessness and a lack of respect both for yourself and your profession.

In my school district, I've seen male teachers wearing tank tops, frayed shorts, earrings, and long hair held back by rubber bands. I've seen female teachers wearing low-cut tops, leotards, and skirts so short that it's downright indecent when they bend over to pick something up. I've seen some teachers who wear clothes that look like they've been slept in.

If this is the norm in most schools, we're in big trouble. We're professionals, entrusted with the job of educating our country's next generation-and public image is an integral part of our job.

All day long, we're in the public eye-conducting classes, interacting with colleagues, conferring with parents. All day long, we're leading and setting examples for our students.

We're not freelance artists who can lose themselves to uninhibited inspiration and artistic freedom. We're educators, and, on a daily basis, we have more contact with children-and often more influence on them-than their own parents do.

So it's important that we have a dress code. We certainly don't need uniforms, three-piece suits with ties, or high fashion dresses. But we do need minimum standards. A few reasons why: *While it's true that first impressions are important-remember how you dressed when you interviewed for your job?-maintaining our professional image is even more critical. Our dress reflects our personality and our values. It's important that we send the right message. *We're role models. Children notice what we wear, and many try of theme clothing that I like to wear.

Parents have told me that their children search the house for something to wear that's related to the themes we study. I've found that the more students are involved, the more excited they are about learning. And theme clothing is a great way to get children more involved.

This opportunity would be lost if students and teachers had to wear uniforms or teachers had to wear business-type attire. *Case in point: Fridays are spirit days at my school. We wear school t-shirts, jeans, and sneakers. I look forward to Fridays so I can play kickball at recess with my class. Not dressing the part would put a damper on my spirit-and my ability to join my students in outdoor activities that are both fun and educational. *Case in point: I enjoy sitting on the floor during sharing time, lying on the grass while cloud watching, leading exercises during music and movement. I couldn't do these things if I had to wear a business suit. *Case in point: My students are affectionate. But when I'm dressed up, I don't want them close to me with sticky hands. When that happens, I miss valuable opportunities to get to know my students better, and I can't take advantage of "teaching moments."

Now don't get me wrong: I'm not arguing for short skirts, low necklines, or clothes that are too tight. I'm not in favor of wearing jeans to parent conferences or special programs. And I believe visitors should be able to distinguish between students and teachers by what they're wearing.

But a dress code won't lead to instant "professional" status. Doing our jobs well will. We need the freedom to dress for success-for the success of our students. that is.