ED 101
I remember clearly my kindergarten teacher in elementary school. Out of all my teachers throughout elementary school, junior high and high school I remeber her most of all because she was always dressed so well and her hair was always perfect and her shoes always shinned. I wanted to become a teacher just like her. Being a "model" as an instructor is very important. Most of the students do take notice.
Chuck,
Most of my learning was out in the field. But when I think back at the ones I wanted to be more like I remember them being very professional in their appearance and language and wanted to model that.
Chuck,
Most of my learning was out in the field. But when I think back at the ones I wanted to be more like I remember them being very professional in their appearance and language and wanted to model that.
Joyce,
You're right. Students do notice. They notice everything - the way you dress, talk, your body language, what time you start class. Everything. And then they all talk to each other about it. As instructors we are constantly in the spotlight. One mistake I made early on was to take advantage of our school's "dress-down Friday" policy by wearing jeans and a denim shirt on a Friday when I was running a new student orientation session. One thing I normally do at orientation is to ask students to write on an index card what they liked the most about the session and what they liked the least. Three students commented on my inappropriate dress! Needless to say, no more dress-down Fridays for me.
Mabel,
Good thoughts about professional conduct and dress. Thanks for sharing them with us.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
My definition of "acceptable dress" would be business/causal for the career you are teaching in. Obviously, if I am teaching car mechanics, I'm not going to expect the instructor to come in suit & tie. If I am teaching Medical Assistants, I would expect the intructor to be in uniform or business causal - nice skirt/slacks for ladies, slacks for men, button up tops (or sweater for ladies.) I'm aghast at instructors in tights & sweaters that barely cover their tails, or in sloppy jeans. I think we need to model whatever industry we are teaching in.
And this is just a "personal opinion" ...
Mabel,
What would you consider acceptable dress? Do you think instructors should wear suits, or are khakis and a button up top okay? Are ties necessary for men? What about a casual skirt (below the knee) for women?
Joyce,
You are a lady after my own heart. Sometimes I feel the bar is being lowered in the professional dress area for the instructors. We need to be industry-models for our students. Maybe I'm just old fashioned, but I think we are doing our students a disservice by lowering the dress standard. Thanks for sharing this point.
...mabel...
Joyce,
Thank you for sharing this example of what a long lasting impression your kindergarten teacher made on you. Yes, we are role models and we need to remember that each time we step into the classroom.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
