1. Can I wear a collar now that we’re on video?
In my personal life, I sometimes wear a collar as part of my fun relationship with my partner. It is a narrow leather band with a small metal ring on it, kind of like this. I’m a first-year teacher and have to look respectable so I never wear it to school. But during distance learning, I’ve been wearing it 24/7 — I figure nobody’s looking closely enough over video chat to notice that it’s not just a necklace or a ribbon or the collar of my shirt. Even if they did notice and wonder, they probably wouldn’t be able to tell for sure. Do you think this is okay?
As a teacher? You really
cannot risk it. Teachers are scrutinized and held to restrictions on their behavior that no other professional is held to. Teachers have been fired just for having photographs on social media where they have a drink in their hands.
If one of your students looks closely enough to suspect it’s a collar, it could end up being something that interrupts your career. And even if that doesn’t happen, you do not want students speculating on its meaning. There’s a reason you don’t wear it to school. Leave it off when you’re teaching.