What do you think of a teacher wearing jeans to work?

[lilminx]

I'm seriously considering wearing jeans to work more often. I have twenty-two 5 and 6 year olds to deal with every day, and 9 of them receive special education services. I'm constantly up and about in the classroom, monitoring them, sometimes chasing after them, and occasionally physically restraining them (one has psychosis and is self-destructive at times).

Sometimes wearing "nice" clothing can be constrictive and can get uncomfortable when i have to be so active in the classroom. Plus, the kids seem more immature than usual this year and I find that I get dirty more often (dirty hands, food, paint, ink, marker, etc- all from the kids).

Is it inappropriate for me to wear jeans to work, given that there is no dress code? Of course, I wouldn't look like a slob- I would pair them with sweaters, button down shirts, and the like.

Parents, I'd also like to know how you would feel if your child's (first grade) teacher wore jeans often to work.

 

[Guest]

How would I even know?

Seriously, ask your boss. Things could vary by district, but I personally would not care.

 

[lobito]

jeans are ok, it's the quality of the teachings.

 

[lilminx]

How would I even know?

Seriously, ask your boss. Things could vary by district, but I personally would not care.

Silly wabbit, I said that there is no dress code. I wear jeans maybe one a week or once every two weeks now, and nothing has ever been said to me or to anyone else wearing them. I'm not really worried about my superviser saying anything, just more curious about how others view it. I feel like I'd be more relaxed in the classroom if I wore jeans.

 

[QuickDuck]

Not really sure about the US, but i know when I was teaching, it was basically a case of "so long as i was neat and tidy".

shorts, a greatful dead t-shirt and a "fuck you" hat, are never approapriate however.

/wave
QD

 

[lovetoread]

My child's 1st grade teacher wore nothing but jeans.

It didnt bother me.

 

[medjay]

Jeans? So what?

I say start early teaching kids that being conformist isn't cool.

 

[patient1]

Speaking as an ex- schoolboard guy , I think it's a good idea for primary school teachers, who besides the things you mentioned find themselves on a rug reading stories sometimes.

I think teachers of older kids might want to dress more business-like, to subtly convey that school matters, it's not just recreation/socialization time.

 

[Purrde Flower]

I am a volunteer at my daughter's school. I see a lot of the teachers in very relaxed clothing, jeans, shorts (not very short though about knee length).. if it's comfortable and nice loking its ok. I have always thought teachers felt better, looked better and general teached better in result of comfortable clothing. Besides sometimes it even makes the class feel more comfortable because it gives you a down to their planet quality.

 

[Guest]

 

[Tantanah]

I'm a teacher. We wear jeans and the school shirt every Friday.

I have no problem with teachers wearing jeans but personally I prefer trousers or dresses. Looks more professional.

 

[Guest]

Silly wabbit, I said that there is no dress code. I wear jeans maybe one a week or once every two weeks now, and nothing has ever been said to me or to anyone else wearing them. I'm not really worried about my superviser saying anything, just more curious about how others view it. I feel like I'd be more relaxed in the classroom if I wore jeans.

Then go for it. Does your comfort on those busy days help you to do your job a bit better? If so, then do it. Unless you work in some ritzy neighborhood, which I know you probably do...

 

[morninggirl5]

I'm so jealous. We have a new Superintendent this year and one of his priorities is that everyone "Dress for Success."

No jeans at all. Last year we wore jeans every Friday and for the second semester if we donated $1 to United Way each Wednesday we could wear jeans.


Mr. "Dress for Success" won't even let us wear jeans on Field Trips. My class goes on a Forest Walk on Thursday.

Wear your jeans, Lilminx. The only people who will care don't have a clue anyway.

 

[lilminx]

Unless you work in some ritzy neighborhood, which I know you probably do...

You're being sarcastic, right? Most of the parents of my students are on public assistance.

Yes, it does make me feel more comfortable sometimes, thus making me more relaxed and able to get my job done more effectively. I don't want to wear jeans every day, but some days I get up and I just don't want to get dressed up because I know what's in store for me when I get to work- lol.

 

[SpiceCake]

teachers and jeans

I am an assistant for college professors and I don't even notice what they wear. We greet the public more often and should dress more "professional." I feel the professors should be comfortable as that is a tough job. Let loose and pull on those jeans! No holes or fraying of course and a nice shirt.

 

[lilminx]

Mr. "Dress for Success" won't even let us wear jeans on Field Trips. My class goes on a Forest Walk on Thursday.

Now that is absolutey ridiculous and unrealistic. You should invite the schmuck to go on the Forest Walk with you, in his suit and dress shoes. Ask him how successful he feels at the end of the walk, and how successful the kids see him while he's wearing inappropriate clothing to go walking in- lol.

On field trip days, it's a given that the teachers are going to dress down.

 

[Guest]

You're being sarcastic, right? Most of the parents of my students are on public assistance.

No. I'm dead serious.

Wear the butterfly top to work, you know, like in your old av.

 

[morninggirl5]

Now that is absolutey ridiculous and unrealistic. You should invite the schmuck to go on the Forest Walk with you, in his suit and dress shoes. Ask him how successful he feels at the end of the walk, and how successful the kids see him while he's wearing inappropriate clothing to go walking in- lol.

On field trip days, it's a given that the teachers are going to dress down.

I prefer that i never have to see the man face to face. Keeping my job will require a gag or duct tape over my mouth if i'm ever given the opportunity to tell him what i think of his "progressive reforms."

 

[Amaterasu]

go for it, i say!

I'm a school psychologist intern at an elementary school, and I'm always so jealous of the teachers who can wear jeans!! since i'm supposed to be part of the 'administrative staff', AND because i'm on internship, i have to "dress for success".... which is annoying when you're on the floor doing counseling or using playdoh....

i think that any parent would understand the value of your comfort and your clothes' well-being...... especially with your special needs students.... my roommate is a 1:1 TA and once worked with a child she had to tube feed and change her diapers.....not really the place to bust out your DKNY power suit.... haha.

Unless the district wants to pay for your dry cleaning........

Just my 2 cents!

K

 

[calypso_21]

Is it inappropriate for me to wear jeans to work, given that there is no dress code? Of course, I wouldn't look like a slob- I would pair them with sweaters, button down shirts, and the like.

Parents, I'd also like to know how you would feel if your child's (first grade) teacher wore jeans often to work.

I'm a parent...I have no problem with you wearing jeans. I think you should be not only comfortable but have the ease of getting down and playing with the kids you are teaching if you want to.

BTW...If you look at Newport News...they have some great fitting jeans in great colors.

 

[It'sasecret]

Lilminx, I have often wondered the same things! I feel like I much more productive in jeans. I always wear them on Fridays, has do most of my coworkers. I HATE getting dressed up. But I also have the problem of looking VERY young and therefore feel like I need to "prove" myself. Wearing jeans can make that hard to do. School spirit days and field trips are always jean day too.

 

[lilminx]

Oh yeah, I also forgot to mention that I have a child in my class who has club feet and has difficulty walking, She has no assistive device or aide (I'm trying to get her both). The other day she fell flat on her face and had a huge knot on her head from it. I don't know how she didn't crack her head open. Later on that day, she didn't make it to the bathroom in time and wet herself. I think it's because she was afraid to get back up and hurt herself, therefore she waited too long to go. this happened often with her last year. I had to help her change her clothes.


Not the most comfortable thing to do in a skirt and heels.

 

[SailorC272002]

Sorry, but I am going against the grain on this. Professional attire at all times. If you are going out on a geology field trip, it would be different. Clothes do make a difference. You are in a position of leadership, show it. You have enough decorum issues in your class. If you reduce the decorum, you are asking for it to get worse.

In my industry casual dress is the rule now. I see it in meetings, instead of a professional, business atmosphere to defuse adversarial meetings alot of yelling, swearing and anger develops.

It also causes people to want to leave early to get to the golf course because they are already dressed for golf.

 

[sch00lteacher]

I wear jeans all the time. But not BLUE jeans. Black, tan, brown.

Jeans and a sports coat. Haven't had a complaint yet.








Yet, is a big word.

 

[NightFlier]

I have to vote for the jeans. I think too big a deal is made about such things in this country. I've fought the same "it just doesn't look right/professional" attitude most of my life when it comes to the length of my hair. Have you seen any of the C.E.O.s' involved in all the business scandals wearing jeans or long hair? Seems to me it's more important to be respectable/professional than to look it. Of course I'm funny that way.