Dress to Impress

From: NEA
http://www.nea.org/tomorrowsteachers/2008/classroomcon.html

You’ve gotta look the part to be at the head of the class.

We’ve all heard the phrase “dress for success,” but what does it really mean? And why should you care about it? For an aspiring educator, knowing curriculum and classroom management aren’t the only things that make you a teacher. You also need to dress the part.

“Your attire says so much about you,” says Diana Pemberton-Sikes, an author and personal image consultant. “Too fashionable says you’re superficial. Too sloppy says you’re not into details. A well-groomed, appropriately dressed person will always enjoy more success than their poorly dressed counterparts.”

Dressing professionally also boosts your self-esteem and self-confidence, not to mention your employer’s confidence in your abilities.

“When you dress well…you make a better impression on your clients or students, and you may be looked upon as a better employee by your supervisor,” says Brian Earle, who teaches business etiquette at Cornell University.

But in many schools, dressing professionally isn’t just a smart choice. It’s a requirement under the employee dress codes that districts like New Hanover County School District in North Carolina have adopted.

“By creating a focus on professionalism and modeling high standards of personal conduct, we establish and maintain a more effective and positive learning environment for our students,” says John A. Welmers Jr., the district’s assistant superintendent for human resources. “In essence, we wanted to differentiate the professional staff from the look and actions of the students.”

How can you keep your look professional and avoid a serious fashion faux pas? Here are a few guidelines:

Understand your school dress code, if you have one “The new hire should ask about the dress code for both the students and the faculty. This will give an indication of the culture and leadership of the institution,” Earle advises. “If there is any question about the definition of the dress code, ask for examples of what is considered appropriate.”

Don’t dress like your students. “The biggest problem new teachers seem to have, especially at the high school and college levels, is separating themselves from their students,” says Earle. “If you dress exactly like the students it compromises your authority regardless of how well you teach.”

Pemberton-Sikes agrees. “As a teacher, you want to be seen as relatable, but also as the leader of the class,” she says. “To accomplish this, you need a shirt with a collar and/or a third layer, like a vest, a cardigan, or a jacket.” Avoid tight-fitting, revealing, or trendy clothing, Pemberton-Sikes adds, but make sure your grooming is current and consistent. “You want your students to pay attention to you and show courtesy, not make fun of your attire or 1980s hairdo.”

Select clothes that suit your teaching duties “Dress needs to reflect the activities of the teacher,” says Earle. “I don’t think an elementary school teacher wants her supervisor to stop in while she is sitting on the floor and leading an activity in a short skirt. Likewise, a male gym teacher would probably not want to play soccer in suit pants and wingtips.”

Slacks are a good choice for teachers who spend time on the floor with students, suggests Pemberton-Sikes. Meanwhile, a science teacher, or other educator who works with chemicals, may want to a wear lab coat, she adds. Comfortable, supportive shoes also are a must.

Don’t bust your budget with expensive clothes. Updating a wardrobe of jeans and T-shirts to suits and ties can be expensive. But find out what your school requires before you invest in pricey threads. Districts like New Hanover County School District, for instance, let teachers wear khakis with polo-type shirts and blouses and other economical options.

Remember, “dress for success” really works. “Raw talent will get you only so far,” says Pemberton-Sikes. “Cultivated talent polished with appropriate attire and nice manners will take you anywhere in the world you want to go.…Package yourself appropriately and ‘the sky’s the limit,’ as they say.”
—Maren MacIntyre