Teacher Sees London, Teacher Sees France, Teacher May Get Suspended

Patrick Foster, a Florida, USA, middle school teacher, may have wanted to encourage his students to follow the school's dress code. But he seems to have a misguided way of doing that.

The seventh grade science instructor is facing the possibility of suspension because he allegedly told female students in several of his classes to stop wearing T-shirts with words printed across the chest because it would force him to keep "reading it over and over." He also told some of the girls that if they wear skirts so short that he can see their underwear, he will tell them what color panties they are wearing. To emphasise that point, he actually did tell one student what color undies she had on.

Not to leave out the boys, Foster also allegedly advised them not to wear overly baggy pants because, in prison terms, that means they are "open for business." When asked if the events as described actually occurred, he told the Florida Times-Union, "Yes and no, and that’s all I can say.”

Foster may get a 10-day suspension for his behavior, which I would think most would agree is colossally inappropriate. Most, apparently, except for some of the commenters on this Florida Times-Union blog.

"Students who defy the code need a wake up call. His worked," writes one.

"The teacher should not be disciplined for pointing out that the
students were dressing like hookers and male bimbos. This is language
they could understand, and makes a point with them. Why are the parents
(and the gutless principal) not supporting him on this?" writes another.

Yes, perhaps some kids could benefit from wearing more appropriate clothes. But if Foster said what has been reported, there is no excuse for it. Period. No teacher should talk to students that way. His intentions may have been good (key word *may*), but this is clearly not the way to convince kids to clean up their act. If you want teens to have some class, set an example by showing some class. It's as simple as that.