I know too many teachers who have had foot and back problems later in life from standing and teaching all day for years. Plantar fasciitis is pretty common for veteran teachers.
How can we combat that? Well I have two little things that might assist you on your way: check out the very short video below and under that, I have compiled all the comfortable shoe suggestion answers from fellow teachers from the fan page. Hopefully new and veteran teachers alike will find some of the suggestions helpful and be able to save those aches and pains from happening.
What kind of shoes do school teachers wear?
Comfortable and attractive shoes for teachers don't always go hand in hand. You can find a super cute shoe to match your outfit, but find that you can't stand on your feet longer than 30 minutes because they are pinching your toes or rubbing your heels. Or on the opposite end of the spectrum are the shoes that feel like clouds on your feet, but look like they were issues by the military. While that might not matter to some (which is fine too by the way), it does matter to other teachers. Finding the balance between function and style for a new pair of shoes can be tough at times.
What kind of shoes do school teachers wear?
Comfortable and attractive shoes for teachers don't always go hand in hand. You can find a super cute shoe to match your outfit, but find that you can't stand on your feet longer than 30 minutes because they are pinching your toes or rubbing your heels. Or on the opposite end of the spectrum are the shoes that feel like clouds on your feet, but look like they were issues by the military. While that might not matter to some (which is fine too by the way), it does matter to other teachers. Finding the balance between function and style for a new pair of shoes can be tough at times.
Where do teachers shop for shoes?
Finding comfy shoes online can be tough, but if you read the reviews, you can usually tell whether the product will meet your needs. Of course, trying on your new ballet flats in person is the best to check for things like a high arch support or if you have wide feet.
Amazon is great for purchasing because you can easily see thousands of dress shoe styles in one place, including the popular mary janes or lace ups. Just make sure to double check your dress code so you know whether you are permitted to wear anything other than closed toe options.
When I taught in Florida, pretty much anything went. In fact, I am pretty sure I didn't wear a single pair of socks the entire three years I lived there due to always wearing some sort of sandals every single day.
But when I moved back to Ohio, that district required closed toe options that were not tennis shoes. {We weren't permitted to wear jeans ever either, but that's for another post...} You want your feet to feel great and look good.
If you order from Amazon, they do have a really great return process, so if they aren't what you need, you can return them easily - though always check the return policy before purchasing from anywhere.
Some teacher shared favorite brands include Dansko and Vionic so that may be a good place to start your search.
Foot Care Tips for Teachers:
This topic got me wondering what teachers can do for our feet because we do work standing up. We're talking. It's very rare that we're sitting down. Maybe we know a few teachers like that do, but you're probably not one of them.
What can we do without having to wear sneakers every day because some school districts don't even allow sneakers in the classroom unless you teach PE?
Tip 1:
Tip 1:
One thing that I've done, and you can ask anyone who's taught with me, is as soon as those students leave the building, I have right underneath my desk a pair of slippers. I pop them on and that's what I wear for the remainder of the work day.
Of course, that is contingent upon not having a parent or staff meeting and I don't have to walk down the hall to see the administrator or anything like that. If I know I'm going to be in my classroom after school working and confined to my classroom - or maybe popping next door to see a colleague, the slippers or the flip flops come out immediately.
I can sit at my desk and just relax my feet out. I was always known for wearing a small or a chunky heel but a smaller one. I'm short, so it's rare that I wear flats anyway. I hated to wear flats because I was already short enough as it was.
Now, you can even use this tip during planning periods during the day, as long as you don't have students, but the only thing to consider is if your feet tend to swell, then you're going to have a really hard time getting your shoes back on when you have to go pick up the kids from specials. I usually waited until the end of the school day after they had left so I didn't have to worry about it so much.
Tip 2:
Look for a cheaper version of a kitchen gel mats that you can find in the big box stores or bedding/kitchen stores. Go and see what you can find.
The ones that I've seen are kind of expensive so maybe try to look for a discounted version. There are usually one or two spots in the classroom where you tend to stand when you're teaching, when you're standing up by the interactive whiteboard or your bulletin board, or even during center time or at your carpet.
Wherever you're going to be standing most often during the day, grab one of those mats and at least be able to stand on the gel. That will help your feet a little bit as well.
Now, of course, if it's a more expensive item, you want to make sure that the students are not getting their hands on it. If it's just a small mat that you can pick up and carry with you, keep it behind your desk.
Tip 3:
Then, the last suggestion (which may be a little too far out for most), would be bringing in a big flat foot bucket and fill it up with hot water. You could soak your feet while you're sitting at the desk doing your work as long as you don't have to get up if you're just going to be sitting at the desk anyway.
Does everyone on your grade level team have achy feet after a full day of standing and teaching?
Have a grade level meeting planned after school? Make it a team spa planning meeting once a week or once a month just for something fun. Rest your feet, put some hot water in there, let them soak a little bit. Everyone brings their own Epsom salts and lotion.
It's not an idea for everyone or even every team obviously, but I know I have worked on some teams that would have loved this idea. It would be something fun and different and it's kind of like getting a little pedicure at school.
Perfect for team building and when you get some work done in the process it's a double bonus!
Anyway, take care of those feet friends. I've heard so many teachers that have so many foot problems later in life because they're on their feet all day long. Do what you can to salvage them and as long as you can, and look at the ebook down below for other suggestions of types of shoes to get which may even help with back pain.
Take care of you so that you can take care of the students.
How do you save your feet and back from hurting at the end of the day? We would love to see your suggestions in a comment below!
~Charity
This post originally appeared at Organized Classroom.
