Teachers are Professionals

A very wise and wonderful principal told me many years ago, "If you act and dress like a professional then people will treat you like a professional'" Every school has a handbook that addresses the school's dress code.
In Olivia Barker's article, Schools enforce dress codes — for teachers, a principal in California is quoted, "Our expectations for students are so high, we can't be hypocritical and expect less of teachers," says Federwisch, who hears complaints from parents about the double standard. "Kids are looking to teachers for direction and guidance, not to be their buddies." And from parents, says Victoria Lackey, the PTA's vice president. "Bellybutton rings have a great place in the world, but not in my child's classroom," she says. "We don't want kids coming home saying, 'Oh, Mom, those bellybutton rings — we want one!' " Do you really want your Kindergartner coming home to ask you that question? I certainly don't!