How should a teacher dress? If you ask this question to teachers, you will get so many different answers. The truth is that the answer depends on many factors. And what suits one teacher may not suit another.
In general, the older your students are, the more important the way you look - especially at the beginning of the year. The difficulty that many teachers face is that they will not look professional enough?
Let's face it: dressing "professionally" for a young teacher can be a difficult task. Once you come to school or university as a teacher, it is important to look right, but this should not deprive you of the opportunity to be yourself. Many young teachers find the very idea of a dress code offensive.
The dress code of most Bulgarian organizations (not only schools) is very flexible. Unless it is a specialized institution or a specific form of clothing that is mentioned in the terms of the contract, no one will force you to wear a certain dress, suit or tie all the time.
So, although many schools have a dress code for students, they usually do not have a clear policy for teachers or teachers regarding clothing. So you can dress as you are used to, if it is suitable for classroom work, and you want to show your individuality.
School staff policies typically prohibit transparent, torn, short, or tight-fitting clothing, shorts, hats, slippers, sandals, beachwear, and clothing with inappropriate slogans and prints.
So, what are your options as a teacher when it comes to style and fashion? There is no rule that a teacher cannot dress fashionably or stylishly (yes, even if you have a very special style concept). In fact, by adhering to a certain approach when choosing clothes and relying on their own concepts of professionalism, a well-dressed teacher will gain authority and leadership. Every experienced teacher knows that "unspoken" authority is the best. Your clothes will not stimulate or damage your image, but they still evoke more respect from students, of course if they are chosen correctly.
Some tips for choosing the right clothes:
1. Find out if your school has an established uniform. Some schools have a standardized teacher dress code that describes what you can and cannot wear. Talk to the school principal or school administrator to get a copy of the document prescribing and describing the official dress code for teachers. Remember that even without it, most school administrators can make a number of suggestions.
2. Women in schools are expected to wear skirts, pants with blouses or sweaters, dresses or suits. For men, suits are encouraged but not required. However, men are expected to wear trousers and shirts with a collar, although sweaters are also allowed.
3. Choose clothes and shoes that are easy to wash, clean and wear the next day. This is especially true for those who work with young children. It is unlikely that you want to walk all day in the remnants of glue or paint.
4. Avoid clothes with a large neckline.
5. Give preference to comfortable shoes. As a teacher, you will be on your feet almost constantly, sometimes for several hours in a row. Comfortable shoes, low heels, sports shoes will be suitable solutions. Be careful with sandals, open shoes are not always comfortable. Look for shoes that have good ventilation. You can also add auxiliary inserts to your shoes to make them more comfortable. Avoid wearing high heels in class, as your feet may start to ache after a few hours or at the end of the day.
6. The best option for clothes is a combination of a shirt with pants, a skirt and a jacket. This is a good approach, especially if you are in a hurry in the morning and need to start training early. You can easily change shirts or T-shirts while looking professional enough.
7. Choose jeans and a shirt if allowed. Avoid denim shorts, as these pants are probably not acceptable.
8. Consider comfortable tracksuits if you teach physical education. In most schools, if you teach physical education or have a sports section, you are allowed to wear a tracksuit, sweater, T-shirt, loose blouse or sweater.
9. The color of the clothes should not be flashy or too "shaded", spare your students, they look constantly (hopefully because they want to listen to you, not as something unusual) throughout the lesson.
10. If you have a school evening or are speaking at a school event or parent meeting, you need to make an extra effort. But here giving advice is pointless. The evening can be themed; in this case, be guided by your own common sense.
11. Choose a hairstyle that is easy enough for daily care. Make sure your hair looks clean.
12. For women: your makeup should be minimal and simple. Avoid too bright makeup around the eyes, as this can distract students. A simple, clean look is better.
13. Be a little "more conservative". If you have tattoos, you will need to cover them with long sleeves and pants while working; the same goes for visible piercings. Remember that you have to be quite an authoritative and "adult" person for your students and by dressing neatly, you contribute to that.
Your clothes should be comfortable. Not just because you have to move, bend over, lean over, write on the board, and bend over to the student. It should be comfortable for you. If you do not feel comfortable in a formal dress or suit, choose what you feel is right. After all, every school has its own policy; If in doubt, just find out before you start. And don't forget that students will accept you in a T-shirt and jeans, as well as the administration, if you prove yourself as a professional and you are not fake.
