Request to wear the kilt - Believe it or not?

**bricelythgoe** · 2nd February 10, 09:43 AM

Being a middle school teacher, I always think my students have alterior motives when asking me to do something. However, recently I failed to wear my kilt on the burns holiday (as I usually do) and have been getting questions/requests to wear it. They are usually from the same students. However, today I had a student tell me they want me to wear my kilt this week. I wonder, what is the alterior motive here? I am not going to wear it so they can play some funny joke or something similair. I wonder if my student is sincere. If you were in the same situation, what would you be thinking?

I would love to hear from my fellow teachers (specifically high school and middle school), but anyone is welcome to comment.

Brice

**piperdbh** · 2nd February 10, 09:52 AM

You know which kids you can trust and which ones are likely to be in cahoots with each other to pull some sort of prank. It's not a girl who has a crush on you, is it? I use my personality to discourage those.

If they're used to seeing you in the kilt, then it won't be a surprise to them when you show up kilted. At my school we're "encouraged" to include writing in every class. You might consider having them write a paragraph about why they want you to wear the kilt, and base your actions on their writings. Then, later on, if there are any shenanigans, you'll have some documentation. Keep us posted!

**bricelythgoe** · 2nd February 10, 10:10 AM

The student is one tha I have never had any reason not trust, but also not a reason TO trust. I am not sure about the student.

**Tobus** · 2nd February 10, 10:28 AM

If it were me in that situation, I'd go ahead and wear the kilt (hey, any excuse to wear it is a good one!) but tell the class in no uncertain terms that shenanigans will not be tolerated.

**thescot** · 2nd February 10, 10:57 AM

When I was still teaching--at an alternative school, of all places!--I would wear mine occassionally for no particular reason. But I would use the Bard as a excuse to wear it and read some of his best poems to them. We even celebrated February as Multicultural History Month, and one of my jobs was to present a mix of writings to the students based on cultural backgrounds.

I would read from Gwendolyn Brooks, Robert Burns, some cowboy poetry, a little haiku, and any other national background represented. Chinua Achebe was very popular because I had a young girl from NIgeria.

The kilt was always quite a shock to the new kids who'd never seen a man kilted before, but it always won most of them over in a short time because I was never ruffled by any comments.

Of course, the large photo of a kilted regimet didn't hurt, either.

If I could wear a kilt in the midst of those professional "bad boys and girls," you'll certainly do find with your own kiddies, I think.

**Dixiecat** · 2nd February 10, 11:09 AM

Wear the kilt, but look for mirrors on their shoes!

**Nighthawk** · 2nd February 10, 12:07 PM

I am myself the parent of one those prank pulling little smarta.... jokesters. I would say there very well may be some sort of motive. Watch for the kid dressed as a fisherman- those fishing polls can present a particular danger to us as my son once illustrated to me, the little smarta... jokester.

**ABG0819** · 2nd February 10, 12:29 PM

I understand your trepidation, but remember it may be the kid you least expect that gets the most out of your class and your unique style of teaching. A very good friend of mine, and a kiltie, was one of those students. Our senior year he actually wrote a thank you letter to the teacher that was concidered the toughest in the school. Remember that you demonstrating a fearless attitude toward your chosen style of dress could influence any number of students in any number of ways. You are a teacher that does not end when the books are closed and the bell rings, I should know my mother was a public school teacher for 31 years.

My best wishes to you and your students,
Graham