Thompson Rivers University is helping students “Dress for Success”.

Lecturer Coordinator with the school of education Roxanne Letterlough helped start the program this past October after realizing that many aspiring teachers were concerned that they didn’t have a wardrobe that was appropriate for the work place.

“I was teaching the class and kind of explaining to them about clothing. So we are at the part of the program where we’re going to go into practicum and when you’re becoming a teacher what you wear is kind of important. You want to make sure that you’re dressed appropriately when you’re in front of the classroom.”

Speaking on The Jeff Andreas Show, Letterlough says she was teaching her class and talking about what people wear when starting their practicum when she learned some were concerned about what they currently had in their closet. “Happened to walk by and some of the moms in the group were a little bit worried about what that looked like. Especially when they’re low income and as a mom you tend to put your children’s needs and other needs ahead you’re own before actually going out and looking for professional type clothing. So that can be another added stress.”

Letterlough says confidence is key when stepping into a new profession. “I know when I’m put together and I feel like I got a good outfit on and I am going to go do something I don’t feel confident in doing and I am needing some support in, a nice outfit will help boost that self-esteem.”

Letterlough was blown away by the response after putting out the call for donations. She says students got a fun opportunity to play model and try on different outfits with a group of their peers. Once they found an outfit they liked, they then got to take it home and keep it.

Photo courtesy of Bart Cummins – TRU. It depicts  faculty member Roxane Letterlough and Master of Education student Sultan Sandur

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