Male teacher is reprimanded for wearing a t-shirt

Given the growing teacher shortage, one might think that school administrators would only reprimand staff for serious infractions, but apparently North Carolina teachers have more to worry about than just standardized test scores and angry parents.

A male teacher said his wardrobe was responsible for his boss’ anger. “Today I wore khakis, appropriate shoes, and a t-shirt promoting mental health awareness,” he wrote in a post on Reddit. “I’m in the middle of class and my administrator pulls me into the hallway to tell me that I’m not following the dress code.”

A teacher was reprimanded for wearing a T-shirt that said “Mental Health Awareness,” which violated the school’s dress code.

“Remember,” the teacher wrote, “half the staff wears t-shirts every day and to this day I have never seen or heard of anyone being told not to.”

Teacher wears a t-shirt in the classroom half point | Canva Pro

Nearly 65% of teachers admit they are underpaid compared to similarly experienced professionals in other industries.

Now, more than 90% of students live in underfunded districts and have limited access to everything from educational preparation materials to arts programs. There is also a teacher shortage in most schools across the country.

Given all of these issues, how exactly can one justify punishing a dress code violation?

The teacher felt he was being singled out because of his clothing, considering some staff members regularly wear “casual clothing.”

“You want to know why good teachers give up their profession? I give you Exhibit A,” the teacher wrote. “Our school is on the verge of becoming an ‘F’ school…Half of our staff is not certified. Every day we are given another impossible task that increases our workload.”

Many teachers argue against strict dress codes for school staff because comfort in a classroom means education takes precedence over aesthetics.

So if a teacher’s t-shirt expressing her commitment to mental health is intended to help children feel more heard, understood, and comfortable, it’s the dress code that should change, not this Reddit teacher’s.

In an update to the post, this teacher wrote: “I have no issues with the dress code. Some of you think that I am a bad teacher because of my “lack of discipline” and “backlog in laundry.”

“My problem is that she pulled me out in the middle of class instead of emailing me, texting me or talking to me at a more appropriate time,” he explained. “We live outside the school walls. I’m behind on laundry. This is not a crime.”

The teacher argued that dress code violations should be the least of his school’s problems.

“We are in the lower percentage of teacher salaries and I am thinking about finding a second job after ten years as a teacher. I’m drowning. In the truest sense of the word.”

Commenters were almost unanimously on this teacher’s side, arguing that his frustration with his school’s priorities was completely justified, especially after being a mainstay of the district for over a decade.

“My school district is desperately looking for teachers right now,” another student added under the post. “It seems so ridiculous to ask someone for a helpful t-shirt while they’re begging for staff behind the scenes.”

Teachers shape the minds of future generations. It’s obvious that they can control themselves when it comes to appropriate class attire. Perhaps administrators should focus on retaining teachers rather than fostering an unwelcoming work environment.

Zayda Slabbekoorn is a contributor and writer with a bachelor’s degree in social relations, politics and gender studies, focusing on psychology, relationships, self-help and human interest stories.