tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13280638.post112273433548758609..comments2023-10-16T05:22:00.853-04:00Comments on Pretty Hard, Dammit: Dressing for Classroom SuccessStewgadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05341545093347318440noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13280638.post-1123020233722046822005-08-02T18:03:00.000-04:002005-08-02T18:03:00.000-04:00I've been thinking about this issue a lot lately, ...I've been thinking about this issue a lot lately, since I hope to be starting a new job soon and will need to buy a new wardrobe. I think how we look/dress is absolutely tied in to how students (and other faculty and administrators) view us. I'm in my early 30s now, but I still look very young. But no matter what Ms. Mentor says, I really don't want to buy a dowdy wardrobe. <BR/><BR/>I, too, have had horrific experiences of students questioning my qualifications/authority. I'm hoping that, in my next job, the fact that I'll have "PhD" behind my name will change the dynamics somewhat, even if students do call my by my first name. (Which I wouldn't mind as long as it fit with the general culture).dr four eyeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11178140600448106706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13280638.post-1122995738510300372005-08-02T11:15:00.000-04:002005-08-02T11:15:00.000-04:00Great post. Totally agree with you. And with histg...Great post. Totally agree with you. And with histgrad, above, that you need to begin with being authoritarian and then you can loosen up. I run a discussion-based classroom, too, and I like to think (based on student evals) a very warm and welcoming one, but it is possible to do this without wearing Birks and shorts (which I would NEVER do!).<BR/><BR/>Oh, the name thing is fascinating too. I was at a school prior to this where EVERYONE - young and old, male, female, whatever - went by their first name, and I was initially a little bummed (I work this hard to get the degree and no title?). But actually, it was really nice and very fitting for the school's atmosphere. Now, I am PROFESSOR, always. That's fine too - students here would faint at the rudeness of calling a prof by their first name! Anyway, I think the title doesn't have to determine how students see you in the classroom - although if some are First Names and some are Dr. Whoever, then it's an issue...<BR/><BR/>sorry, kind of rambling!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13280638.post-1122779864429029502005-07-30T23:17:00.000-04:002005-07-30T23:17:00.000-04:00Glad you brought up this Chronicle article--academ...Glad you brought up this Chronicle article--academic attire has been something that has always bothered me. I have a lot to say so I'll just write my own post!!!Monhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07298264911822044959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13280638.post-1122773144722105922005-07-30T21:25:00.000-04:002005-07-30T21:25:00.000-04:00I have to say that students haven't really questio...I have to say that students haven't really questioned my professional authority since I graduated. I don't own a suit--it's strictly khakis for me in the classroom--but I introduce myself on the first day as "Dr. Now," and I gently but firmly correct students who don't follow this protocol. That insistence, the fact that I was 34 when I started this job, and the fact that there are almost no grad students at my college (so there's a real age gap between our mostly-traditional-aged students and the teachers) combine to give me pretty consistent authority in the classroom. Not that I'm going to start wearing blue jeans, but I thought I'd offer the ray of hope that women's authority isn't always contested in the classroom...at least once you're no longer in your 20s.What Now?https://www.blogger.com/profile/04017629066466055668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13280638.post-1122740579394749262005-07-30T12:22:00.000-04:002005-07-30T12:22:00.000-04:00I agree with this 100%. I also think that Lang did...I agree with this 100%. I also think that Lang didn't think through the age and gender issues of how one dresses, but I hadn't stopped to consider whether any female instructors of my acquaintance actually do dress casually. And you're right: not a one of them, of any age or professional status, dresses in anything less than "business casual," and most dress at least a notch above that.La Lecturesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09892747650463978861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13280638.post-1122740169235314672005-07-30T12:16:00.000-04:002005-07-30T12:16:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.La Lecturesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09892747650463978861noreply@blogger.com