It also troubles me deeply that my union has joined in with the uncritical voices of state-based education reform pundits, those who hope to further dehumanize education.
Public education has a long history of anti-democratic socialization. The current reform movement seeks to further the cause of the right-wing and ruling class' agenda of making public schools into socialization factories of "new world" economics. Conformity to standards of dress, curriculum, length of school day, etc., are all part of the parochialization of knowledge and learning. My clothing is one way in which I combat these negative intellectual forces.
I wear the uniform of the working class. My jeans, running shoes, non-logo T-shirts are representative and symbolic of my resistance to standards-based reforms. By wearing non-traditional clothing and acting in a non-authoritarian manner, I am liberating my students from the anti-intellectual hell you and others hope to impose on young people.
Because of my "unprofessional" behavior, I use my dress, attitude and lessons to explain how a person's character is more important than the clothes he/she wears. It is that same prejudice that has made the world unfair for, say, blacks, because of the color of their skin. I look for ways to connect with my students at a more personal level, not to impress them with my fashion sense. Besides, they won't respect me just because I wear a tie. I can show you many examples of this in all schools.
And I gain their respect , much more than most teachers who use their power and authority to coerce respect from students. I reach them because I treat them with respect that every young person and adult deserves. I don't abridge their civil rights or human rights, just because I'm in charge. Nor do I lower my expectations of their intellectual abilities, like most teachers do.
Last, I'd like to say I wish the union would get back to the business of worker rights and quit being a mouth piece for the status quo.
