Get Rid of the "Jeans Pass"

I went to school today to turn in my technology and keys, which for me, really signifies the start of summer.

The longest year imaginable has finally come to close. While there were so many things I hope teachers never have to experience again (concurrent teaching, having rules and directives change without warning, constantly being told they weren't doing enough), there were some good things to come out of this crazy year:

- It became exceedingly clear that teachers are amazing and will rise to any challenge. No matter what obstacles they faced, they did everything they could for their students.

- The most important thing teachers do is make their students feel valued and loved. Teachers were able to create happy communities despite not being in the same physical space as their students.

- Teachers can pivot in an instant, managing tech issues, parent issues, in-person students, virtual students, distribution of materials, and new instructional methods, all while keeping their cool.

- Teachers take care of each other. This is not new, but the circumstances of this school year really shone a light on how deeply we rely on one another to make it through a grueling day, a tough meeting, or a personal crisis.

- Perhaps most incredible of all, teachers are able to provide meaningful and engaging instruction even if they wear jeans every day! Unbelievable! It's like teachers finally had a chance to demonstrate beyond a shadow of a doubt that wearing jeans, sneakers, and t-shirts somehow has ABSOLUTELY NO BEARING on a teacher's ability to be an outstanding educator! Amazing!

I know there's a tone of sarcasm in that last bullet point, but honestly, can we just get over it and stop acting like wearing jeans to school should be some type of prize or reward? It's such nonsense. Instead of worrying about if teachers choose to wear jeans every day, maybe we should instead focus on the beautiful classroom cultures that those teachers create and the connections they make with their students. Why shouldn't teachers be comfortable? Do you know what teachers deal with all day long? They sit on the floor to work with students; they're surrounded by so many sticky things; they clean up after their students throughout the day; they dry their students tears; and they wipe ketchup, marker streaks, and who knows what else from students' hands. If they want to do those things wearing jeans instead of dress pants? LET THEM.

I don't care about the antiquated claim that "teachers used to always dress up." So what? A quick google search revealed just a few former rules female teachers were forced to abide by:

- "remain unmarried"

- "be home 8pm - 6am unless attending a school function"

- "not allowed to loiter downtown in any ice cream stores"

- "not allowed to travel beyond city limits without permission of the chairmen of the board"

Ridiculous, right?

Well as far as I'm concerned, not allowing teachers to wear jeans is equally ridiculous.

This school year proved that. Teachers wore jeans whenever they wanted and they still taught, supported, and loved their students as they always have.

The "jeans pass" needs to go. I shouldn't need a "pass" to wear jeans. I work with kids, not on Wall Street.

Here's hoping that as things return to normal, we worry about what actually matters and take the lessons of the past year to heart.

Goodbye, 2020-2021 school year!

all packed up for summer!

Happy Tails to you!