KEYS to Teaching Success: Professional Appearance for Educators

      Because different subjects and grade levels affect a teacher's work, it's difficult to offer a precise list of what to wear and what not to wear. Changing perceptions of professional appearance also influence such expectations. In fact, in 2016 the Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools rejected a revision of the educator dress code after a school board meeting generated more questions than decisions (Few, 2016). Still, the state of Georgia has outlined guidelines (SS 3004) for faculty and staff dress. Those guidelines also note that a building administrator is responsible for assessing teacher appearance. usually that administrator is the principal.

      City and county school systems can tailor their own specific appearance policies as long as they comply with state codes. If you browse professional appearances policies across Georgia's school systems, you'll see a  number of similarities regarding what is appropriate and what is not.

These Choices are Generally Considered Appropriate

• Collared shirts with long or short sleeves
• Ties
• Sport coats or business jackets
• Uncollared blouses or sweaters with modest necklines and sleeves
• Long pants or slacks
• Dresses or skirts no shorter than 2" above the knee
• Closed-toed shoes with backs

These Choices are Generally Considered Inappropriate

• Athletic wear in general (sweat suits, warm-up suits, other athletic attire)
• "At home" lounge wear and foot apparel (such as bedroom slippers)
• Running shoes, walking shoes, cross trainers and other athletic shoes (unless athletic activity is appropriate for instruction)
• House shoes, deck shoes, slippers, shower shoes, plastic sandals and flip flops
• Jeans, shorts, sweat pants, bike shorts, tights, spandex and leotards
• Undergarments worn as outerwear
• Tee shirts and sweatshirts other than school spirit wear allowed on designated spirit days
• Any items of clothing or jewelry that express political or religious statements

Even when a teacher wears clothing included in the first list, a principal may still object to those choices. Take, for instance, one Georgia teacher who sparked a national debate when her tight-fitting dresses (and her Instagram feed) went viral (Bloom, 2016). Although the teacher's outfits were the appropriate length, the building administrator deemed them "too tight or otherwise revealing" (Bloom, 2016). Whether we agree or disagree, the building administrator gets to make that call.

Please click on the next tab: Accessories.

     Included in attire policies are expectations for accessories. Some system policies recommend that teachers not wear bulky jewelry. Many local policies specify expectations about piercings, restricting teachers from wearing piercings on places other than the ears.

      In the state of Georgia, teachers should always inquire about local policies regarding hats. Even though an age-old rule of etiquette demanded that men remove hats indoors, baseball caps are still popular in Georgia, and people often wear them inside. Still, baseball caps are less professional than would be appropriate for the classroom, and many local policies recommend that teachers not wear them. 

Please click on the next tab: Grooming.

      Appearance is not only a matter of clothing and jewelry. The Professional Standards Commission (PSC) also outlines broad grooming expectations, such as the provision that teachers keep hair and nails neat and clean. As with apparel, local school systems often list more specific grooming guidelines. Don't be surprised if your school's policies include the following grooming restrictions:

• An expectation that hair be styled so that it is kept away from the face.
• An expectation that facial hair be trimmed.
• An expectation that nails be of modest length and, if polished, a neutral color.
• An expectation that restricts piercings to the ears with other piercings kept hidden.

     Over the last 20 years, body art has become more popular and over time professional settings have become more receptive to tattoos. Still, because tattoos vary in size, color and subject matter, schools also vary their policies about teachers displaying them. In fact, one reason the Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools came to an impasse over its dress code was the conflicting opinions about tattoos (Few, 2016). For that reason, you should consult your school's employee handbook; make sure you understand its policy about body art. Don't be surprised if your assigned school requires that you keep tattoos covered, which teachers can easily do with long sleeves, pants, closed collars or bandages. However, even if your school allows teachers to keep tattoos visible, no tattoos may promote/display subject matter inappropriate for underaged students. Always out of sight should be graphics related to drugs, alcohol, crime and sexually charged content. The school's building administrator might add other depictions to that list.

      Grooming expectations also include cleanliness, which is evidenced by appearance and odor. Some school administrators object to teachers coming to school smelling of cigarettes. Other schools might have policies against the overuse of cologne or perfume. Some teachers might initially push back against such policies, but think about it this way: Those guidelines are less about your personal choices and more about how they affect others. Some students and colleagues could have allergic reactions to strong odors of cologne or smoke. A teach who smells of smoke, cologne or body odor could distract students from learning.

Now move forward to the next segment, The Reasons Behind the Rules.

     You might not have thought about your clothing choices as a matter of safety, but remember that you've chosen a profession that puts you in charge of a room full of children or adolescents. While they usually mean no harm, they are awkward and make immature decisions. Often they're clumsy. As a result, some of their playful or physical behaviors might pose slight safety risks. For instance, some system policies recommend that teachers not wear bulky jewelry that could distract learners or could be easily grabbed. An innocent Ohhh, that's pretty could easily turn into a mishap. Always use caution about wearing fine jewelry. Earrings could easily fall off, and necklaces could break. Because teaching is a physical job, remember these recommendations:

• Keep your hair secured away from your face.
• Avoid loose clothing that could get snagged or caught.
• Wear closed-toed, low-heeled shoes to avoid chances of injury.

     In addition to keeping your own safety in mind, also remember you're responsible for your students' safety. You have protocols for how you should act on an urgent matter or emergency situation. Your dress and grooming decisions make you better able to handle those situations should they occur. Closed-toed, low-heeled shoes with backs enable you to  move bout the classroom and help students move, especially in the event of a fire or tornado drill.

     These safety concerns are especially important in secondary science classrooms where labs include glass containers, chemicals and (sometimes) open flames. The CDC's School Chemistry Laboratory Safety Guide (2006) includes an entire section on apparel in the laboratory. Safety guidelines recommend wearing closed-toed, low-heeled shoes, shirts that cover the entire torso, pants that entirely cover legs and laboratory coats and aprons. The guide also recommends the use of protective eye ware and disposable gloves. Furthermore, the guide recommends that students and teachers remove jewelry "especially dangling jewelry," and to "secure long hair and loose clothing" (p. 7). While many students enjoy wearing long synthetic fingernails, they "are made of extremely flammable polymers which can burn to completion and are not easily extinguished" (p.8). Of course, teachers will instruct their students to comply with these guidelines. At the same time, when teachers comply regularly with these guidelines, they set a good example for young scientists.

      On a less risky level, your job also puts you in close proximity to ink, markers, glue and other learning materials that can be dark, smeary and messy. It's common to end a school day with a few stains, so wear clothes that you don't mind getting dirty. You might consider having a separate set of school clothes, consisting of low-cost, dark fabrics, available at many discount stores.

Please move forward to the next tab, Mobility and Stamina.

      What you choose to wear can help you maintain your stamina in what can be a long and often busy teaching day. As a teacher, you’ll be on your feet most of the day, and you’ll be moving around. Again, those low-heeled, closed-toed shoes will not only keep your feet safe but also provide good support. 

      School buildings rarely offer teachers access to thermostats, and it’s never easy to maintain the ideal temperature for everyone. For that reason, wear layers that allow you to add or shed warmth during the school day. 

      Also consider the length of your attire, not just hemlines, but necklines and shirt tails. Sometimes what seems like an appropriate clothing choice actually is too revealing when a teacher must bend over or reach up. An example would be the teacher who wondered why fourth graders would never look her in the eye when she consulted with them at their desks. She later realized that her loose-fitting top, which seemed perfectly appropriate when she was standing straight, revealed more than she’d intended when she bent over to speak to her seated students. 

      Teaching requires you to reach the top of a white board or stoop to plug in a projector. Teachers often bend, kneel, reach and pull. So before wearing that new skirt or shirt to school, try it on in front of a mirror. Reach over your head. Bend over at the waist. Reach right and left. Notice how movement changes the amount of coverage that garment gives you. You’ll be smart to show yourself those changes before you show your entire classroom.

Now proceed to the next tab, Leadership.

      In addition to helping you be a better teacher, maintaining the standard of appearance will also garner respect in your classroom. Your professional appearance shows respect for your students and school leaders. Likewise, it shows your expectation of respect from them. Preservice and first-year teachers are often only a few years older than the students you’re working with. Professional apparel and grooming will allow you to  maintain a respectful but authoritative distance. 

      Some new teachers mistakenly want to develop rapport with their students by showing similarity with them. Those efforts, though, could present obstacles to your leadership. You’re not there to be friends with your students or to be the “cool” teacher. You can show your concern and respect for them by being mature, consistent, and sensitive to their learning needs.

Please move forward to the final tab: Focus on Learning.

      Speaking of learning, professional, appropriate dress helps teachers prevent distractions from that most important classroom activity. Take the teacher mentioned earlier, whose tight-fitting dresses earned criticism from her administrator. That teacher mistakenly emphasized looking stylish and overlooked the likelihood that her clothing could distract students from learning. Clothes that are too short, too tight, too loose or low-cut can be more revealing than we realize.

What about Special Days?

     Many teacher candidates fondly mention the learning-related dress-down days schools sometimes organize. Take for instance Pajama Day or Dr. Seuss Read across America Day. How much should teachers dress down on those days? Teachers who participate in those events demonstrate school spirit, which administrators appreciate. Depending on the school context, an opaque set of flannel pajamas with closed-toed shoes might be a suitable costume for the day. However, stained, threadbare or ill-fitting lounge ware with bedroom slippers would pose safety risks and distractions. While teachers should participate in the spirit of a special day, it's still important that they dress for safety and modesty. 

Now please proceed to the next section of this web page.

Suit 1 by Nelson Pavlosky, 2006 CC-BY-SA 2.0 

Male sixth grade teacher with protractor by Allison Shelley for EDUimages CC-BY-NC 4.0

My Son's Teacher is a Supermodel by Woodley Wonderworks CC-BY 2011

Engaging teacher in social studies by WoodleyWonderworks, CC-BY, 2012

Young Asian American schoolgirl walking hand in hand one teacher by Amanda Mills, Public Domain

Preschool teacher reads to class by Allison Shelley for EDUimages CC-BY-NC 4.0

High school girl with teacher outside by Allison Shelley for EDUimages CC-BY-NC 4.0

Male high school teacher in mask by Allison Shelley for EDUimages CC-BY-NC 4.0

Male sixth grade teacher with textbook2 by Allison Shelley for EDUimages CC-BY-NC 4.0