A Reader Writes... (Dress Code Yet Again - Part 1)

In response to the post, “Dress Code Yet Again,” a reader writes:

"Sean,

I can’t agree more with you. One of the situations that I have come across is the younger teachers on my staff not dressing professionally. When I address the situation with them, one of the responses that I get is “I dressed this exact way when I student taught and they didn’t have a problem with it.”

As a profession, we must always model for our students, and I am including student teachers. We are the best example they have, and if we don’t expect the best from ourselves then why expect the best from our students."

SC Response
So bad habits start with the student teaching process? I can see that. Again what we model teaches more powerfully that we say. Before I went to work for the state, I took a lead role in staff recruiting. After all, why would I trust someone else to get the groceries when I’m responsible for the quality of the cooking? There is a major Texas university that shall remain nameless whose job fairs we quit attending. Not because of the number of candidates, but because of the lack of professionalism of the candidates. If you show up to the job fair in a t-shirt, shorts and flip-flops, it’s hard to be convincing when you claim to understand hard work and quality instruction. Impressions and perception matter.

Think. Work. Achieve.

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