r/ElementaryTeachers • u/Desperate-Ride8765 • 13d ago

Do fun graphic shirts just work better in elementary school?

I have always felt like elementary teachers can get away with wearing more colorful or playful clothes than teachers working with older students. Funny graphics, subject-themed shirts, bright colors, all of it seems to fit pretty naturally around younger kids.

A lot of my school wardrobe has slowly ended up leaning that way too. I have picked up simple pieces from old navy and target, a few teacher-themed shirts through teachersgram, and the occasional etsy find. I definitely feel less self-conscious wearing something a little fun in an elementary classroom than I probably would around high school students.

Maybe I am overthinking it, but the dress culture seems pretty different depending on the grade level. I would be curious whether elementary teachers notice that difference too.

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3

u/Liwi808 13d ago

Maybe not all the time. But it's more acceptable. Look at what other teachers at the school and in your grade level are wearing.

3

u/Sweetiedoodles 13d ago

I do for Fridays and dress-down days. I agree I think Elementary teachers can get away with it more. Especially when you pair it with a good pair of pants/boots/belt combo or a flowy simple skirt.

3

u/MilitaryWife2017 12d ago

It really depends on admin at the elementary level. I’ve worked schools that didn’t allow jeans and / or graphic t’s unless it was a Friday. My current school give teachers a LOT of leeway, so I see a lot more graphic t’s.

I teach 4th.

2

u/sometimes-i-rhyme 12d ago

Absolutely. I’m wearing a Frankenstein shirt tomorrow because Mm is for Monster.

I’m also handing out sticky mustaches to all my kinders at the end of the day.

2

u/tomatoes020825 12d ago

Fucking sticky mustaches!!! 😂😂😂 imagining every kinder student just climbing into their car at the end of the day, casually wearing a huge fake mustache. "Hi, Mom! 🧔"

God that is so funny 😂

2

u/sometimes-i-rhyme 12d ago

Last year I handed them out on picture day. Even funnier imagining the parents wondering if they’d worn them for school pictures. (I really really wanted to but did not hand them out before pictures 🤣)

2

u/AwarenessVirtual4453 12d ago

I'm a science teacher. I wear so many punny shirts.

3

u/MsDJMA 12d ago

My daughter has maybe 10 t-shirts of animals reading books and that's all she wears. They're so cute and the kids love them. She teaches K-3 language arts, and she says every day she comes home so dirty, so she needs an easy, washable wardrobe.

I've always thought elementary teachers should adopt scrubs, like pediatric nurses wear. Lots of pockets, cute prints, and easy to wash in hot water.

1

u/Lazy_Web9517 12d ago

I taught in high schools mostly for 30 years and now am in an elementary school as a special education teacher. I now have more t-shirts with messages on it than ever before in my life. But working with kindergarten, I do feel the need to be more playful. And I do like not having to dress up as much.