Can Elementary Teachers Wear Shorts to School?

Teachers, like students, have to adhere to school requirements. Among others, one of the most important is to follow the dress code. Elementary teachers must dress professionally to command respect and connect with their students – but are shorts allowed?

Elementary Teachers cannot wear shorts to school in most institutions, though dress code policies may differ from school to school. The teaching staff, like students, often observe a professional dress code. It does not have to be too uptight. Business or smart casual will do, but no shorts.

In this article, I will discuss whether elementary school teachers can wear shorts while on the job. I will also discuss the reasons beyond having a dress code and tips for dressing as an elementary school teacher.

Table of Contents

Shorts in School: An Elementary Teacher Faux Pas?

While the policies can differ from one school to another, in most cases, elementary teachers cannot wear shorts to school. It can be considered a professional fashion faux pas, especially if the administration has specific rules about how teachers should dress.

While nothing is wrong with looking and feeling your best, you must do so while maintaining a professional image to gain respect while also following the school’s guidelines.

Sometimes, no rule books state what elementary teachers can and cannot wear. Even so, it is not an excuse to dress as you please.

Instead, you must be mindful of your profession and ensure that your attire is decent in the classroom while maintaining a professional image.

Although, one particular instance when wearing shorts for elementary teachers can be acceptable: when teaching physical education. It will make sure that teachers can move comfortably. P.E. lessons often include sports and physical activities, such as soccer, track and field, and tennis, which can be taught wearing shorts.

Even if teachers cannot or should not wear shorts on their jobs, it does not mean they have an uptight or executive dress code. Your work requires you to oversee messy activities and manage active students, so you must wear something more comfortable while looking professional.

Why Is There a Dress Code for Elementary Teachers?

Do not judge a book by its cover: this is one thing many people believe in. Nonetheless, some will inevitably form initial judgments about a person based on what they see.

An excellent example is when an elementary teacher in the classroom wears something that might be deemed inappropriate, such as shorts, especially when they are too short.

Our attire transmits social signals. It is a basic form of non-verbal communication that allows individual interpretation. Whatever a person wears holds communicative power.

As such, here are some of the most common reasons why elementary teachers have a dress code.

Boosts Self-Esteem

Having a dress code can be an effective way to boost the confidence of elementary school teachers. Dressing professionally can help teachers exhibit better self-perception. Doing so can make teachers feel better about themselves and radiate conviction and self-assurance to others.

Encourages Respect

Dressing in formal attire can also encourage respect among students, as they are more likely to engage with the teacher as a professional, rather than a peer. It will help in establishing authority and reputation.

Plus, it can impact how parents and other external parties view you and the school.

Become Role Models

By adhering to the dress code, teachers can also show that they are role models, and it encourages students to follow the rules as well. Otherwise, the students will assume that if their teachers can bend the rules by not dressing as expected, they can do the same.

How To Dress as an Elementary Teacher

Especially if you are a first-time elementary teacher, you might be confused about what to wear on your first day of school. Below, I share some tips to keep in mind.

Before I run down some tips, this short video below shows some great outfit ideas for female elementary teachers. They are casual yet professional.

For information and guidance on what to wear as a male teacher, check out this article.

Opt for Neutral Colors

While neutral colors may seem tedious, they are an excellent option for elementary teachers. These colors not only look professional, but they are also easy to mix and match.

More so, it makes it easier to plan your outfits. Some of the safest colors to wear are black, navy, white, brown, and beige.

Dress for the Class

One of the most important considerations is the class you are teaching. It is acceptable to wear shorts if you are teaching physical education or gym.

If you are an art teacher, you can be more relaxed as you often have to work with paint, glue, clay, etc. But in most cases, go for a clean or professional-looking outfit.

Keep It Simple

Your job is not to teach elementary students to look good on the runway. While there is nothing wrong with dressing to impress, it is better to keep it simple so your students focus on your words, not your appearance.

This deliberate attention-focusing is also one of the reasons why I recommended wearing neutral colors. While you can wear energetic patterns, tone them down – less is more! It is worth limiting your accessories as well, and definitely avoid any inappropriate or flashy designs on clothes.

Avoid Showing Too Much Skin

When dressing for class, avoid revealing or low-cut clothes. Go for tops that cover the midriff.

On the other hand, the bottoms should be just above or below the knee if you are wearing a skirt or dress. Again, following your students’ dress code is a great way to get respect and lead by example.

Covering yourself well will help your students focus on the course material and give you a better range of motion, which is critical when writing on the board, getting down on the floor for storytime, or just walking around the school.

Stay Comfortable

Comfort is vital when teaching, so don’t wear anything that holds you back from being the best teacher you can be.

Shorts may be comfortable, but they are not appropriate for the classroom, so a more suitable alternative is needed.

Wear loose clothes with breathable fabrics, especially when it is hot. On the other hand, if the classroom gets cold, wear thicker, layered clothes for warmth. Whatever you choose to wear, match it to the weather to ensure optimal comfort.

And finally, make sure that you have appropriate, yet comfortable footwear. This means avoiding open-toed shoes.

Conclusion

While there is no universal rule governing how elementary teachers dress, in most instances, wearing shorts is not allowed unless you teach physical education. Smart or business casual is the recommended dress code, which can help command respect in the classroom.