Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Respectfully dressed


Top: New York & Co.
Cami: Target
Skirt: Gap
Belt: Target
Shoes: Target
Earrings: Turkey
Bracelet: gift from my mom
Sunnies: Puerto Rico

I wore this to teach yesterday, and while we were discussing rules and consequences with the students in order to finalize our school rules (you can do this when you've got eighteen students) the issue of uniforms came up. They've got a polo that they have to wear and the plan was to have them wear blue pants with the polo. The students wanted to negotiate some jeans into the deal and then the conversation turned to holey jeans.


And then I had to be all like, "I don't wear everything I own to work. I want to demonstrate respect for you, myself, and my profession by dressing appropriately, and we expect you to do the same." Because that's the kind of teacher I am: the kind that thinks that students should dress respectfully to come to school. Also, you should bring at least a pencil and a notebook. Just sayin'.


Is it weird to say that my style choices are a way of conveying my respect for myself and the people around me? Does anyone else feel that way? I say this to B often because I do feel that it's part of Latino culture in general (and Puerto Rican culture in particular): dressing well is a symbol of respect.


Anyway, they seemed to understand what I was saying even though they were a little bummed to be limited in their sartorial choices. I don't feel too bad about it, though because most schools here demand a particular shirt, blue dress-ish pants, and black shoes. Besides, I loved my uniform when I was in Catholic school (even though I wasn't about to admit it to anyone) - it made my life so. much. easier.

8 comments:

  1. Will you talk to my boys? Maybe bring a hammer to help pound it in? They really need to realizt that life/ jobs come with rules and parameters, that's just the way it is.

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  2. I agre with you, TOTALLY, dressing nice for other people as well as for yourself shows that you care. I've always though that with my students too. I like your outfit, very appropriate for work.

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  3. The yellow flowers are beautiful. I'm glad you held the line on holey jeans--your classroom will be easier to manage.

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  4. You look outstanding! And I agree with you 100%.

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  5. I am proud of you for standing your ground, you sound like a great teacher! Is that part of your school you are standing in front of in that last pic, so pretty!!!

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  6. I appreciate your sentiments. Where I work now, there is no teacher dress code. I often see coworkers wearing yoga pants or sweats. They are great teachers, but I just don't think it shows a respect for themselves or for their job.
    Way to set standards and expectations!

    The Auspicious Life

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  7. There is a level of appropriateness in all situations, and a lot of what is appropriate is based upon what would be respectful to yourself and those around you. I feel the same way you do and I love how you expressed it to your students. Way to go!

    And you always, always look like you respect yourself and know how to dress well for every circumstance!

    Come take a look inside A Working Mom's Closet

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  8. You look outstanding! And I agree with you 100%.

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