uh im suprised this is even an issue, i mean sure professionalism in the workplace means proper attire, but its school, and well you teach, not make sales, and like sales, its not like the kids wont take you seriously or professional if youwere wearing sandals as where a buisness meeting would be different, so i dont see the problem at all

I don’t think elementary teachers should be allowed to wear flip-flops if the students aren’t allowed. It will just cause the kids to get annoyed and they love to complain. If the students can wear them then sure they should wear them to.

Funny you should ask that. I was visiting my child’s kindergarten class and her teacher was wearing flip flops. I think, no matter how cute they are (and I LOVE flip flops), that they are unprofessional. Plus, our school highly discourages the students from wearing flip flops due to PE and recess. I feel like the teachers should set and example for the students. On another issue, when I visited my son’s teacher, she was wearing a skirt about 4 – 6 inches above her knee!

First of all, not all the rules which apply to the students apply to the teachers. The teachers are responsible for the safety of the students and the flip-flops are not safe for students. However, the teachers are also responsible for their own safety. If they fall or are hurt, it’s on them. There isn’t a safety reason for them not to be able to wear them.

Secondly, though, I believe flip-flops are not very professional. I don’t mind some attractive sandals, but, in my opinion, flip-flops are beach wear and not appropriate for a professional doing his/her job–even if it is 100 degrees in the school. You wouldn’t see a doctor or lawyer wearing them…….

As much as I would LOVE to say yes. I have to say no. Flip-flops really aren’t much different than sandals when it comes to things being dropped on them (rarely does that happen though). Aside from being down right unprofessional (and no matter how much chalk dust, kid goo and general grim we get on us we are professionals), you cant run in them. If a child is injured on the playground or you need to get to someone fast, you cant. Though teachers should wear (and are crazy if they don’t) comfortable shoes, they need to be sturdy enough that they do not impede an emergency situation.

I wear mine and I’m a third grade teacher! All my other colleagues wear them too… but not the cheapos from Walmart or whatever… usually they’re really cute with beads or sequins, something stylish and kind of professional-ish.

Then again, we do live in VA Beach, and it’s still humid here! Who the heck wants to wear stuffy shoes in 80/90* weather??

Our motto (amongst my group of friends) is “better to ask forgiveness than permission.” 😉

sure why not. Then again, i live in hawaii and more than half the population here wears them. but we call them slippers..not flip flops

Only if they wear nice ones. I have seen some of grandsons’ teachers and they look like slobs. How can you ask for respect if your clothes are wrinkled, stained and your hair looks like it hasn’t been washed in weeks. There doesn’t seem to be much professionalism in teachers anymore especially women teachers. What a shame.

Nope. Safety issue in the workplace. Too easy for something to get dropped on toes, or for someone else’s clumsy feet to tromp on teacher’s.

no because some schools dont let the students wear flip flops so why should the teachers be given that privilage