Tattoos- Opinions please

Whats the deal with teachers anfd tattoos. Especially untenured teachers.

ETS: I have 4. Two of which are on my ankles and can be seen and I am so self conscious of them. Nothing huge or crazy, very tasteful IMO I was just wondering how others view it.

Message edited 5/17/2007 3:23:14 PM.

Re: Tattoos- Opinions please

i think it depends where you are going to get one.

someone I know has one on her neck and it looks horrible, which I can't see a school district ever hiring her if she was a teacher.

if you get one on the ankle, it really won't be seen.

Re: Tattoos- Opinions please

I have plans to get one in a few weeks on the backside of my right shoulder. This way, it's in a place where I can conceal it for school, but show it during the summer!

I thought about getting one on my ankle, but I think that's risky...it means that on one of MANY 100+ degree days in a classroom full of sweaty kids, you can't wear a skirt or capris!

Re: Tattoos- Opinions please

I have them on my ankles, and never had anyone comment on them in a bad way.
I teach PE, and where capris almost daily, so they are seen.
When I interview they are covered by pants or dark stockings.

Re: Tattoos- Opinions please

Re: Tattoos- Opinions please

I have a tat in a place no one can see it, however I have been on a leave of ab this year and the teacher hired to replace me for the year was covered in tats! She covered them all up for her interview (in the summer...) and then first day of school she came in boobs out-tats showing ALL over- After speaking to the principals who I am friendly with- they told me it was not the fact that she HAD the tats it was the fact that she chose to hide them all and not be honest with "who she was"

hint hint- if someone interviews in the summer and comes in wearing a turtleneck maybe there is something to hide

Re: Tattoos- Opinions please

I have one on my lower back. Other teachers know I have it and a few students have seen it b/c while I'll pull on my shirt when I'm bending or squatting, there was a time when I reached for something over my desk and a kid saw it. I blew it off. But I'm super conscious of it and try to make sure it doesn't show.

Re: Tattoos- Opinions please

As a teacher, I don't think that they should be anywhere that the students can see them.

Re: Tattoos- Opinions please

Re: Tattoos- Opinions please

Re: Tattoos- Opinions please

i have them on each ankle and a tribal band on my arm.. I never let them show.. i wear long skirts always.. Its horrible that I have to modify my attire for my tattos.. I am going to get them taken off in the winter.

Re: Tattoos- Opinions please

Re: Tattoos- Opinions please

i have one on the back of my shoulder. Its a small butterfly. You really cant even see it unless I wear a sleevless shirt. Honestly the way I feel is having a tattoo shouldnt be a big deal as long as its taseteful, in an apprprpriate place and they are not all over your body.

Re: Tattoos- Opinions please

Re: Tattoos- Opinions please

Posted by NewlyMrs

Posted by MrsPowers

Posted by tabrtm

As a teacher, I don't think that they should be anywhere that the students can see them.

I agree!

Wow, I guess I am unprofessional?

But it's ok for teachers to wear clothes tighter than I wear out on a night out?
Or flip flop/sandals to school?

Unless they are somehow offensive or really distractive and too much, I do not know tattoos would effect your level of professionalism or ability to teach.

Re: Tattoos- Opinions please

Re: Tattoos- Opinions please

i have two visible tattoos (ankle and foot) and i often wear flip flops in the nice weather - neither has ever been a cause of complaints for me

Re: Tattoos- Opinions please

I have a tatoo on my ankle and for the first few years of teaching, I did all I could to hide it. Long pants or skirts everyday, I was sweating my arse off in the summer months. Then finally one day, at a school party, I spoke to my principal and told him the situation, he was like, it's not like some vulgar tattoo or like I'm covered all over, so he was said, show it, kids see them all the time nowadays. From then on, I have let it show and I can honestly say, maybe 2 kids have ever even mentioned it. They were like you have a tattoo and I said yes, and that was it It is so not a big deal in my eyes and certainly does not have anything to do with my teaching ability. I have seen plenty of my parents with tattoos. I honestly don't see a problem, especially if it's small.

Re: Tattoos- Opinions please

I have a small one on my ankle - as someone else said - should it be held against me or should I be banned in a career for something I did when I was 19? It is always covered up on an interview - luckily, it fits right under a band-aid. I do not try and cover it up now, no one even notices. Heck, I forget I have it half the time!

Re: Tattoos- Opinions please

i dont have a tatoo but a teacher in my school does. it is a small rose around her ankle. believe it or not my principal has a very tiny star on her ankle too. i think as long as you don't have many and they are tasteful i dont see anything wrong with it.

Re: Tattoos- Opinions please

Well, color me un-professional!

I have a small tattoo on my lower back AND I wear flip-flops! (dressier ones, though, not the Old Navy-type ones)

Neither affects my professionalism OR my ability to teach.

Many of my co-workers have tattoos and have never had problems with having to cover them up or anything. They are so commonplace these days, that the students barely even bat an eye if they see them on a teacher.

Message edited 5/20/2007 9:15:58 AM.

Re: Tattoos- Opinions please