Fashion isn’t just for the runway — it walks our hallways too! Have you ever noticed how Mr. Trotter shows up in a Hawaiian shirt every Friday? Have you ever wondered why? 

This week, we’re turning the spotlight on our teachers — not for their classes, subjects, or tests, but for their outfits. From classy to comfy, what they wear sometimes speaks louder than their profession. Each piece reflects their personalities, their vibes, and energy. Surprisingly, something as simple as an outfit might just reveal the unexpected.

Let’s take a look at the hallway runway!

1. Edu Levati

First up: Edu, our beloved history teacher, always showing up with Graded attire to represent the Graded spirit! 

Wearing his signature combo, Edu wears uniform polo, jeans, and of course, a Graded hoodie. In fact, Edu mentioned that he even visited the Booster Club and told a PTA mom, ‘‘I want polos with the Graded logo. Something I could wear every day’’ Edu says that in his first years of teaching, he was all about dressing up. But, as he puts it: ‘‘It wasn’t cheap. I had to buy new clothes, mix and match, and it wasn’t very comfortable. Ironing, washing, it all takes time.’’ Once his kids were born, practicality became his priority: ‘‘Life got busy. It was no longer about clothes, it was about convenience.’’

Now, Edu’s look is all about simplicity and school pride. ‘‘It’s low-key,’’ he says. ‘‘I don’t have to think about it the next day. It’s the same thing every day, but I switch up the hoodie.’’ 

And those hoodies? He’s got the whole senior collection, limited-edition Graded artifacts so rare they could practically be displayed in a Graded museum.

How he describes his personal style: 1. Practical 2. Low-key 3. Comfortable 

Theme song: ‘‘Give to Graded!’’

2. Mr. Trotter

Our next muse is the one and only Mr. Trotter, 9th and 10th grade math teacher! Notorious for his signature Hawaiian button-up shirts, he is the embodiment of  “Dress Down Friday” bringing that island vacation vibe (fitting for Friday) and the student body is here for it! Though, Most are not aware of the reason behind this peculiar– but intriguing – choice of clothing. 

In an interview, Mr. Trotter shared, “The whole Dress Down Friday theme came from Hawaii… on dress down day they would wear their aloha shirts.” Contrary to popular belief, Mr. Trotter is not actually Hawaiian: “I have been confused as Hawaiian most of my life.” Rather, he lived in Guam, which has a similar culture.

Lucky for us, Mr. Trotter is not stingy with his personal style! Over time, he sparked what he jokingly calls a “revolt,” recruiting fellow teachers like Mr. Yates, Mr. Fox, and even former teacher Mr. Pierce to join the Hawaiian shirt movement.“I began doing it, and started getting some other people to join the revolt.” Some of you might’ve noticed this crew of revolutionary fashionistas on Fridays.

Yet, beyond the shirts, Mr. Trotter is surprisingly modest about fashion. In fact, he describes his everyday style as: “Subdued, boring, not flashy at all.” When asked about his style, he laughed, “If I have anything stylish, it’s because someone bought it for me.” Looks like our infamous fashionista isn’t really into fashion at all! “Whatever is on sale. Wear it until it has too many holes and people start getting embarrassed and buy me some new clothes.” Whatever, Mr. Trotter lacks in fashion enthusiasm, he makes up with humor, we’ll give him that.

How he describes his personal style: 1. Subdued 2. Boring 3. Not flashy

Theme song: Jazz, elevator/lobby music.

3. Mr. Altman

Next on the hallway runway is a teacher who is part of the history department and noted for his particularly well-put-together style. With his signature combo—blue pants and a crisp white shirt—that he wears every. single. day. chances are it’s Mr. Altman! His outfit may seem typical at a glance, but it’s an intentional choice. “I always try to dress in a way that reflects the seriousness of the work that I’m doing,” he explains. His minimalist approach isn’t about fashion for fashion’s sake; it’s about showing up with intention and professionalism, while also being practical—not having to face that age-old question, “What to wear?” every morning. The story behind his choice of attire goes back to his early days of teaching when a mentor once told him, when he got anxious, “Phill, you need to calm down. What we do here is only metaphorically brain surgery.” This remark stuck with him because it reflects that teaching is important and should be taken seriously, but to also stay calm. This balance between calm and purpose is exactly what his style represents: simple, fashionable, and a daily reminder that the work matters.

How he describes his personal style: 1. Simple 2. Formal 3. Authentic

Theme song: WILCO – Spiders (Kidsmoke)

4. Ms. Abrams 

Next up, strutting confidently, is a science and ESS teacher who is by far the most known for her striking attire and attention to details. Rocking Vintage pieces, cool accessories, intricate nail designs and fire dreadlocks; Ms Abrams is the culprit. “I dress for comfort… But it ends up being stylish” she admits with a smile as style always has to come with comfort.

However, that sense of style is not just looks, it is rooted in her upbringing“ my dad was always very well-dressed…my mom as well” she shares as that influenced the way she dresses herself, and the students are not complaining! This fashionista’s closet is opulent in vintage pieces that she’s acquired from places she’s lived around the world, about 60% (a number she hopes to increase). In her clothes, she embraces quality over all but also evokes her personality; whether it’s a statement slogan tee with a message or the tiniest finishing detail, Ms. Abrahams expresses her creativity through her fashion choices. 

Some might have noticed her gorgeous dreadlocks, a hairstyle that goes beyond style. “You see my hair, and it’s like — okay, she’s a Black woman.” She explains, being both a nod to her Jamaican heritage on her mother’s side and a symbol of embracing her identity in spaces where there aren’t many teachers of color. Ms. Abrahams stands as a role model — showing teachers and students alike you can rock your natural hair without needing to straighten it.  

Ms. Abrams´style sends a message to young women, “you can be well-maintained, and it doesn’t take away from your intelligence or your intellect.” Her love for fashion, nails and clothes is her self-expression, a way of bringing her creativity into a career that is not always seen as artistic.

How she describes her style: 1. Comfy 2. Coordinated 3. Classy

Theme song: R&B/Janelle Monnet

5. Ms. Neid

Taking the stage at the Art Center, Ms. Neid shows off a style that’s all about being comfortable, versatile, and fun.

“I used to live in India, so color really influences my palette,” she shares. “As a musician, I tend to wear a lot of black, so I use neutral colors as a base and add one fun piece.”

This icon has embraced the places she’s lived, not only with her clothing style but permanently embedded on her skin. “I love using tattoos as a way to tell stories,” she explains. Her arm sleeve is what she calls her “where I lived sleeve,” with Minnesota, India, and the upcoming Brazil.

Using tattoos as a means to express herself along with her outfits, Ms. Neid dresses according to her mood — and sometimes to change it. “When you’re in a bad mood, sometimes you can use clothes to help you get into a good mood.”

How she describes her style: 1. Comfortable 2. Versatile 3. Fun

Theme song: Rock music!!

6. Ms. Hashmi

Spotted in the halls: Ms. Hashmi! I mean, how could you not notice her? With her unique, colorful shoes and heels– and sometimes with a touch of makeup, she brings a pop of personality to every step. 

But, it wasn’t always like this. Growing up in Scotland, she says, ‘‘I stood out, just because of the color of my skin, my eyes, and my hair.’’ During her teens, she spent a lot of time trying to blend in by wearing black and dark colors.‘‘There wasn’t a reflection that I found joy’’ she affirms. 

It wasn’t until she got older that she grew confident in who she was and discovered how powerful clothing and makeup could be as a form of self-expression. ‘‘I’m 42, and I love glitter, and I love pink, and I love blue glitter!’’ she says, fully embracing her style. Fashion and makeup became her form of creativity. 

‘‘There’s a backlash that a true feminist cannot be feminine, and I don’t believe in that.’’

She’s not dressing up just for herself, though. Ms. Hashmi wants to be a role model for her students, showing that you can wear whatever you want, be taken seriously, and still matter. 

How she describes her personal style: 1. Colorful 2. Authentic 3. Joyful

Theme song: ‘‘Killing In the Name’’ – Rage Against the Machine

7. Breno Deffanti

Next up: Breno, a familiar face from the Portuguese department. 

He takes his job — and his look, seriously. With his buttoned-up shirt and black jeans, Breno keeps it classic. ‘‘It’s about the dignity of the profession,’’ he says. ‘‘Since I work with the public, I’m constantly trying to dignify what I do. Clothes are the start. If you don’t begin with how you present yourself, everything else can start to slip.’’ 

His favorite piece? Anything black. Oh, and have you noticed his tattoos? Seven of them, all across his arm. The one he likes the most is the lyrics by Chico Buarque, a Brazilian artist who inspires him both musically and through literature: ‘‘Amanhã vai ser outro dia’’. And yes, he designed the tattoo himself. 

How he describes his personal style: ‘‘Eu tento ser o mais discreto possível’’

Theme song: Jazz.

8. Ms. York

Now featuring: Ms. York! The art teacher who’s always on trend, so much so that you might mistake her for a student (just kidding… kind of!) 

Ms. York loves clothes and shoes, but it’s less about following the fashion trend and more about what feels right. ‘‘I just go with what I like,’’ she says. ‘‘I don’t really think about fashion, but I always get influenced by what I see in stores.’’ Every morning, she asks herself: What do I feel like today? And depending on the answer, her style completely changes, from jeans to a dress with leather boots. She loves dressing up — in fact, she looks forward to events just for the chance. 

Her outfits don’t stop at school either. Whether she is in class or abroad, her diverse style stays the same. Although she admits that when she wears her usual looks in Canada, people sometimes stare. ‘‘I feel overdressed there!’’ she laughs. Still, she finds inspiration everywhere, including from students. 

How she describes her personal style: 1. Comfortable 2. Youthful 3. Versatile 

Theme song: A daily mix — it changes depending on the outfit! 

The Final Walk

As we wrap up the hallway runway, we’ve gotten a fun glimpse into the fashion and styles of our teachers, revealing a side of them that’s always been there, but often overlooked. Every teacher has their own unique, personal look that shows a reflection of who they are – not just as educators, but as individuals with stories, values, and creativity stitched into their wardrobe choices.