My Royal Blue Chuck Taylors

Thoughts on Developing a Teacher Persona

They say “clothes make the man.”

Dutch writer Erasmus said so around 1500—but he said it in Latin: “vestis virum facit.”

I also like Mark Twain’s take: “Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.”

Is there such a thing as “dressing like a teacher?” Maybe that’s my profession’s take: “Clothes make the teacher.” So…what does professional dress look like for professional educators? Do our fashion choices matter?

My students—and many of my colleagues—have noted my proclivity to wear royal blue Converse Chuck Taylor high tops while teaching. If you’re wondering if this is a “clothes make the man” sort of thing too…well, you’re probably onto something there. “Professional” or not…I’m wearing them.

This pair of Chuck Taylors has been well-loved, and well-worn.

I’m on my third pair of royal blue Chucks right now, and these ones are about done for. There just comes a point where I don’t feel professional (or maybe “professional enough”) wearing them. When they get too scuffed, and dirty, and worn…it’s probably time to move on. And this pair literally has holes in them at this point…so it’s time to order another pair.

Why wear these shoes? What do these shoes say about me? As a teacher? As a person?

I first started wearing royal blue Chucks in 2017 when I defended my dissertation. I studied at Boise State University (go Broncos!), and BSU is famous for the blue turf on their football field. My wife got me my first pair to celebrate, and I started wearing them on an almost daily basis. Since then, I wear them almost every day when I’m teaching. I love ‘em.

It’s a style choice for me, for sure. There is something playful about these shoes, something that is revealed about my personality. Perhaps even something about the way I tend to function in the classroom?

I would say that wearing these shoes is a visible part of my “teacher persona”—the “character” I play in the classroom. I want to be a little careful saying that, because I think it is definitely possible to “act like a teacher” rather than being a teacher. So I want to be very clear that this is not what I’m talking about. The character I play in the classroom is ME…but it’s a particular version of me. And small things, like the catchphrases, and gestures, and mannerisms, and fashion choices reveal a particular way I want to present myself.

My teacher persona is deeper than just that though, the way I plan lessons, the pedagogical “moves” I use in my classroom, the aspects of the curriculum I emphasize, my assessment practices, the way I engage with students both in and outside of the classroom…all of these are also important aspects of my teacher persona as well. And all of it should be chosen with thought, intentionality, and care.

If you are an educator, consider your teacher persona. Who are you in the classroom? Are you playing a character? And if so…is that character YOU?

Dave’s Faves

Here are two things I’m absolutely loving right now that I hope you might love too…

Dave’s Fave #1:

I was scrolling through Netflix the other day and stumbled across the original Mission: Impossible film from 1996. I hadn’t seen it in years, so I started it up. I was almost immediately transported back to that summer when I saw it with friends in a scuzzy one-screen theater in rural Iowa. (Good times!)

It’s such a fun action-adventure-suspense movie, and overall I was surprised at how well it holds up. (Okay, the technology aspects are kind of funny—it includes some interesting glimpses into how mid-90s pop culture conceived of this newfangled thing called “the Internet.”) The action sequences are fun and loud, and there were a few moments I found myself holding my breath, even though I knew what was coming. Some violence, of course, so discern how you feel about that before watching, but I recommend it!

Image via Wikipedia

Dave’s Fave #2:

I’m in the middle of reading Andy Crouch’s new book The Life We’re Looking For: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World. After my friend Justin Bailey recommended it as “one of the most important books I’ve read in the past five years” (and that’s saying something, because Justin is brilliant, and thoughtful, and incredibly well-read) I just had to pick it up. He is right, and as an educational technologist, it’s right up my alley. But I’m also finding it’s the kind of book I have to read slowly, one chapter at a time. Justin partnered with our friend Matt to write a two-part “review conversation” of the book on In All Things, which you can read here: Thriving Against the Technological Tide part 1 and Thriving Against the Technological Tide part 2

If this sounds like your kind of book, I highly recommend you pick up a copy! You can get it here on Amazon: The Life We’re Looking For.

5 Songs to Listen to This Week

Okay, sharing somewhat vulnerably today…my teenage daughter has got me listening to K-Pop, and I’m digging it. K-Pop, if you are unfamiliar, is Korean Pop…and it is a THING. If you are North American you might remember “Gangnam Style” from about a decade ago? That was your introduction to K-Pop! Here are five of my favorites from five different groups, and all of them have at least some English lyrics, which isa characteristic of most K-Pop I’ve listened to, and also helps it feel more accessible to me. I’m not sure why the bands’ names are all capitals, but they are. (Just go with it…)

1. Butter - BTS

2. Alcohol-Free - TWICE

3. Rock with You - SEVENTEEN

4. Blue Hour - TOMORROW X TOGETHER

5. Wannabe - ITZY

And, as usual, here’s a playlist of the above for your easy access. I’d love to hear what you think, so give ‘em a listen, and then drop a comment in response!