First Impression

Ever wonder what you look like to kids? Do you think about what you want to look like to kids? I'm actually not sure where I'm going with this, it's just that I've been thinking about it. When I get around a bunch of teachers I don't know, I wonder about it. Oddly enough, the same thoughts go through my head when I get around a bunch of teachers I do know.

One thing's for sure, teachers are always the ones in comfortable shoes. That in itself sends a message. I am fairly certain (at least I've read plenty of research to support this, so I talk about it in my teacher credentialing classes because I want my "teacher-in-the-making" students to be aware) we can enhance our ability to manage a class by the way we dress, our body language, the tone of our voice, and as strange as it may seem, lastly by the words we use. More on this another time.

It concerns me that teachers (many of them) don't put much work into preparing their "professional image" for the day. Then they wonder why kids don't listen to them, respect them, defy them. It matters what you look like (unless you have a major rep' and then you can get away with more). Secondary students especially take note of the last time you wore the blue plaid shirt, the overly relaxed nature of your outfit, the "datedness" of what you're wearing.

If you mean business in the classroom, and you should, then dress the part. It doesn't have to be fancy or expensive. It should fit well, be coordinated, up to date, and age appropriate. It says you care. The truth is, kids don't really concern themselves with what you know, it is whether you care. The skillfully prepared lesson says you care, so does how you present yourself.