This is the letter I sent to my superintendent in 2006 protesting the edict that teachers could not wear jeans. It started quite a firestorm of emails, but I still don’t wear jeans. I still have an attitude about it, too.

Every once in a while, I feel strongly enough about an issue that I have to at least register my opinion. Now is one of those times.

I have been excited about moving to a paradigm where teachers and leaders make crucial decisions relating to the operation of their school, and I’ve spent hours trying to help our school create a program of which we can be proud. And I am proud of what we have accomplished, and I believe we’ve proven that we can be trusted to do what is right for the students and what is best for our school. We are professionals who are dedicated to making our school work.

Discussing issues honestly, even uncomfortable ones, is a hallmark of our school and of the relationship we have with our small school leader. We put issues on the table, then argue them through if need be.

That’s a major reason I feel blindsided by the edict that teachers may not wear jeans. The opportunity to formalize that came both in Labor Relations board and in negotiations. Both times, the administration deemed it inconsequential. However, it was important enough to cause Jeff to be reprimanded. If it was worth writing a letter to Jeff about, it was worth bringing to the table for discussion.

Furthermore, in the last few months I’ve been treated by a doctor wearing jeans with his lab coat and met with a lawyer wearing jeans in her office. Society’s definitions have changed; we don’t have the chance to present our arguments in favor of jeans—even on a limited basis.

The part of this that seems most unfair is this: the people who did not follow the edict concerning professional dress are not the people who were called on the carpet. I believe in talking issues through, and in taking responsibility for one’s actions. Jeff did not wear jeans; Jeff should not be the one held responsible.

And for the record, I have not discussed this with him. I am complying with the decree because I respect Jeff too much to cause trouble for him—and from conversations we have had at lunch, that’s why my colleagues are complying. Furthermore, if anyone had been interested in putting the topic on the table, discussion in our school makes it clear that next year—when our students will be held to stricter standards—we would have abandoned the “business casual” dress we had been wearing also.

It’s ironic, really. Because of the way this has been handled, I feel less like a professional, not more. And no tweed blazer with twill pants will change that fact.