Heels off under desk / around office

[lizzyh9]

Simple question - is this acceptable?

Boyfriend say should keep them on at all times!!

It's a societal norm thing to me.

But maybe times have moved on - like those folk who wear nightclothes and slippers round the supermarket!

Baking addict- yes I am asking. Can I have your input please.

I agree it is a society norm- doesn't mean we all have to stick to it though!

"How does it affect the quality of my teaching at all?"

You're right, probably not at all, but by that argument how on earth does wearing heels make you more professional/powerful? If the right shoes make you more professional, no shoes must have at least the same effect in the other direction.

Wearing shoes that are too uncomfortable to keep on your feet all day is just idiotic imo. Occasionally to go with a fancy outfit for a swanky occasion maybe - but all day for work? Why?! I can't understand how women expect to be taken seriously in the workplace when they are tottering about on inappropriate shoes.

But you're only wearing heels because you believe it's a societal norm for powerful women snowberry.

Discounted- wearing heels makes me "feel" more dressed up for work. I am not saying it instantly makes me look more professional, that any one else would view me that way. I feel that I look older, and feel happier about myself when around school in my heels. I just think they look better with my outfit.

However to say someone is "unprofessional" is quite an attack on them as a person and therefore I would expect a clearly rationale as to why their actions make them this way.

If years ago I had been your student I would have thought you a bit rank to nip round the class with no shoes on.

I would also have noted you "power dressing" your way through your interactions with other members of staff in shoes that were not built for walking in.

My teenage self would have been scathing!
Sorry.

Perhaps part of why I wear heels is to do with society norms.

However the biggest reason is that I feel better in them. I think they look better with my outfit.

That's fine. But I think not wearing shoes with the students is a bit disrespectful /unprofessional to them.

I didn't say teaching barefoot made you a bad teacher but shouldn't teachers be more of a role model for students especially those who may be leaving education for the workplace.

Young people I find do need guidance on how to dress for interviews, dress and behave properly in a formal workplace. Surely for impressionable kids you must realize that as a person of authority that you are the first point of contact they have with somebody in a professional capacity. Do you think it would be OK for a police officer to go about their business in t-shirts and flip-flops?. In some professions it's not enough to be just good at your job you have to look like somebody who can command respect and authority and i'm afraid as a teacher being barefoot just doesn't come across as right

Snowberry, out of interest, what would your response be if your entire class of students decided to take their shoes off in one of your lessons...?

or if one of the male teachers took to teaching classes barefoot?
Barefoot is not appropriate for work unless you are teaching swimming/beach volleyball etc.
It is extremely unprofessional and it's odd to insist it looks better than a pair of flat shoes.

Please give the children I teach some credit- they know it is not acceptable to go to a job interview barefoot.

I regulalry have to address them on their school uniform- they are fully aware that in the workplace as well as at school, there would be a uniform code that they have to abide by. They have read my dress code as a teacher and it says nothing about keeping shoes on! If it was decided to be written in then I would obviously have to abide by it as a role model for the pupils.

I have never once had a complaint from a parent about me not teaching in shoes. Then again most of the parents of the kids I teach are grateful I keep them in lesson and get some maths in them because of their behavioural and social difficulties!

I can understand why some people find it a little odd... But I think to call someone unprofessional isn't fair. It has no impact on how well I do my job.

MamehaSan- our children always remove their shoes in the drama studio but no-one ha ever asked me to in an ordinary classroom.

Personally I would have no issue with it, however as students stay seated in my classroom I see no real need. As a school then it wouldnt be allowed due to health and safety. As an adult I take the risk with my own feet, but as the teacher I am responsible for the class and if anyone put a chair down on their feet when I had allowed them to remove shoes I would be liable!

I accept that it doesn't impact on how well you do your job, but surely you see that it might affect people's perception of how well you do your job (for right or for wrong)?

Cross post...

MamehaSan- clearly from this thread I have learnt that people's perceptions are it is unprofessional.

Luckily I don't care too much about what others think.

There are far bigger worries and issues in my job than thinking about people's perceptions of me because I take my shoes off when teaching.

Oh so you are one of those people snowberry that because it hasn't been explicitly stated that it's fine to do something. Often it goes without saying that bare-feet in the workplace is unacceptable, most people aren't thick enough to believe that because it's not in the rules then it's fine to do. Although you are obviously the exception

Do you not understand that teaching children about dress-codes whilst standing in your bare-feet is a tad hypocritical and you are sending mixed messages. I pity your students that you have such a low opinion of them and for the school's image in which you work. I never believed standard's in teaching were slipping till today and your posts

I don't even wear heels but as soon as I get to my desk the shoes come off! I have socks on though. I'm not the only one in my office who does it.

I think if you are asking students to wear correct uniform the fact you have chosen a uniform to power dress in and then found it impractical undermines you. I don't think it looks professional to be without shoes and I think it less than respectful to students. You are implying you are only professional in your other part of your role. And I have been a member of the SLT and would have raised it with you.

Baking addict- I have very high expectations for my pupils. However there are bigger fish to fry than my shoes!

Why can you not diasgree with someone without getting personal about it?

perfectly common in my line of work
a lot of mismatched/stripey socks around :) but then we sit in front of screens all day
but then it's a very relaxed informal creative industry, I just wouldn't last 5 mn if there was a dress code, and I feel very lucky after reading your comments.....

Agnesornott- luckily the rest of our SLT and our head teacher have no issues with it at all.

I am not at all saying I am only professional in one part of my role... because I am not of the opinion that wearing shoes in a classroom has anything to do with professionalism. That's your opinion, not mine and so don't tell me what it is I am saying!

Some students saw some flipflops under my desk the other day. Left there from last summer when I was wearing some new sandals in. Just in case and to be worn only when alone in my room

they were HORRIFIED - and thought it was totally rank !

its the Polyester Power dressers in teaching that irk me. Call themselves educators and talk about growth mind bloody set.

And yes I am v chic at work. IMHO