Wrong. My 17-year old told me I looked like I was wearing PJs and my 13-year old just laughed at me.
Don't worry, I'm at school wearing it anyway. It's comfy!
So, as I am heading back to school (had ALICE intruder training yesterday) and everyone is still enjoying wearing their yoga pants and shorts to school, I reminded myself of my business teacher training days (bear in mind, I graduated college in 1997). Dr. Linda Wiggs, my business education adviser, told me that you could always find the business teacher in a school. She was always the most professionally dressed person! At that time, it was true. Typing teachers were known for wearing suits and heels (gosh, remember that? and pantyhose?!).
However, when I started my very first year teaching, I did show up that first day dressed to the nines. I was approached by my mentor teacher immediately, telling me that I shouldn't "show up" the other teachers by dressing up so much. I was personally offended. I mean, I'm the business teacher. The kids need to take me seriously, right?
And jeans days? I didn't wear them. I thought it was unprofessional. Honestly, I was kinda fat and they were uncomfortable anyway.
But, I do feel differently now. I still believe you need to dress up the first few days (or maybe even weeks) of school. Casual Friday, though, it's up to you. I wasn't always wearing jeans (moreso because I just didn't have a good comfy pair) but there was something that students liked about seeing you in a school spirit t-shirt on football Friday. And, on spirit days, I now go all out and participate when I can (you should have seen me on Jersey Shore day about 10 years ago!). I might not wear jeans on Fridays all the time, but I typically do wear a school spirit shirt so I'm not the one teacher who is in fancy dress on Friday.
So, going back to school, just remember that you always need to look professional and approachable. And, you need to support students when given that opportunity--wear your school football shirt (don't have one? Shame on you!) or FBLA t-shirt. It's such a simple token.
Don't overthink it. But, be sure you are always seen as in charge of the room. I'm short, so often heels are necessary or people can't even find me when they walk into my room. If you need to dress up to feel more in power, do it. But don't feel like you can't dress down when given permission.
But, don't wear pajamas.
