Tattoos on teachers?

[MissUndastood]

Discuss

 

[HelenePA]

who cares? as long as they teach what they are supposed I could care less if they are gay, purple, tattooed from head to toe have spikes in their head gauges in their ears orange hair with green streaks

 

[Coconut36]

Is that really an issue?

Wouldn't even think to care unless it involved nudity/sexually explicit images or profanity.

Nothing wrong with tattoos and doesn't impact a teacher's abilities.

 

[low-key]

it depends on what there teaching me

 

[LuvsDragonflies]

Their body.

As long as they aren't all crazy covered with them and have them on their faces and stuff like some kind of freak show. I wouldn't be happy about a bunch of lip/eybrow/nose piercings either.

Call me old fashioned, but teachers are supposed to represent a stable adult worthy of respect and people who go to those kinds of excesses are generally out of sorts, and it shows. At least to me.

ETA, I'm talking school teachers, not guitar teachers or anything. Teachers in the public school system for K-12.

 

[Ceila]

Doesn't bother me at all. Some people have them to honor someone, some have them just for fun, and some see them as art. I personally don't care for them even one little bit, but I'm not narrowminded enough to think that having a tattoo is indicative of instability or immaturity. Apparantly, not everyone thinks like that.

 

[Cantw8]

I don't care what they do with their body but if the tatoos are overwhelming and in conspicuous places, I think it takes away from the professionalism. That is MHO

 

[JessicaR]

Makes no difference to me.

 

[MissUndastood]

I had read something with the endowment Marc Zuckerberg gave to the Newark NJ school systems The local papers are running letters from disgruntled citizens about one particular teacher with a lot of ink. My feeling is he is a creative utside the box" kinda guy and wouldn't bother me in the least. I would probably embrace it. With all the rules, regulations and mandates that go on, I give him props for not conformimg.

 

[LuvsDragonflies]

I had read something with the endowment Marc Zuckerberg gave to the Newark NJ school systems The local papers are running letters from disgruntled citizens about one particular teacher with a lot of ink. My feeling is he is a creative utside the box" kinda guy and wouldn't bother me in the least. I would probably embrace it. With all the rules, regulations and mandates that go on, I give him props for not conformimg.

"A lot of ink" can be many things. Arms, legs, back, whatever. When it starts to be full coverage or anything on the face, yeah, it looks unprofessional and it looks obsessive, again, to me.

 

[thomas998]

Tats might look cool when they are fresh, but I have never seen a crisp looking tat on a 60 year old. The little parrot starts to look like a bit of road kill... With that in mind I see a tattoo as a sign that the person doesn't have any foresight, they don't respect their body, they are most likely followers and just not a good role model. And if anyone outside your family is viewed as a role model to young kids it is a teacher they see 6 hours a day... I would have a real problem with some trashy looking teacher for my kids and that is what people look like when they have tattoos.

 

[goofy!]

Tats might look cool when they are fresh, but I have never seen a crisp looking tat on a 60 year old. The little parrot starts to look like a bit of road kill... With that in mind I see a tattoo as a sign that the person doesn't have any foresight, they don't respect their body, they are most likely followers and just not a good role model. And if anyone outside your family is viewed as a role model to young kids it is a teacher they see 6 hours a day... I would have a real problem with some trashy looking teacher for my kids and that is what people look like when they have tattoos.

I would never have a tattoo myself. Don't like them, would never do it to myself. However, I am not one to judges what others prefer. It is only ink and thus does not affect performance in any way.

I do not think people who choose to get ink can be lumped into any single group such as "followers, "no foresight" or not good role models. Just like anything else, there are a variety of people who choose to get tattoos. You cannot use a broad brush to describe everybody who has a tattoo.

I prefer to judge a person on their merit rather than stereotype. The veritable "Don't judge a book by its cover"

One of the best teachers my son had was his middle school US Gov't teacher. He was fair, compassionate, and most definitely an excellent role model. So much so, I allowed my child to go with him on his annual 8th grade DC trip.

Oh, and he was covered in ink, had earrings and long hair.

One teacher I work with was a National Teacher of the Year, her picture receiving her certificate from President Bush proudly displayed in her classroom. And she had a large tat on her ankle.

 

[Cantw8]

Tats might look cool when they are fresh, but I have never seen a crisp looking tat on a 60 year old. The little parrot starts to look like a bit of road kill... With that in mind I see a tattoo as a sign that the person doesn't have any foresight, they don't respect their body, they are most likely followers and just not a good role model. And if anyone outside your family is viewed as a role model to young kids it is a teacher they see 6 hours a day... I would have a real problem with some trashy looking teacher for my kids and that is what people look like when they have tattoos.

I agree to a certain extent. One or two in discret places I don't have a problem with..not for me but whatever. When it starts to get out of hand and all over the place in visible places, yeah I think it's trashy

 

[luvmythree]

I could care less about tattoos on teachers. It doesn't make them a bad teacher and it isn't my business anyway unless they are pornographic or racist. I understand having a dress code but for some reason I can't wrap my brain around this and I was a teacher for many years.

This was a local story that happened in May of 2010. I still shake my head in confusion at why it is an issue.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/...questions-new-dress-code-banning-tattoos.html

OGDEN — An Ogden High School teacher says his forearm tattoos representing his wife and children reflect family values, but administrators say they set a bad example for students.

A new Ogden School District policy on teacher dress codes says educators have to cover up their tattoos.

Mark Johnson, 40, who has taught English at Ogden High for 15 years, said he just doesn't understand why he should hide his body art, adding his tattoos are great "conversation starters."

English teacher Mark Johnson has worked at Ogden High for more than a decade and says its new dress code will force him to hide his tattoo.
Mike Terry, Deseret News
English teacher Mark Johnson has worked at Ogden High for more than a decade and says its new dress code will force him to hide his tattoo.

Johnson's tattoos include his wife's initials, one daughter's name in Chinese, another daughter's initials, "Storm Cooper" for his son and various Japanese designs.

"We are expecting all of our employees to dress professionally. We expect them to be a role model," Ogden District Superintendent Noel Zabriskie said.

According to the policy implemented in January, "all employees must limit visible body piercings to the ear. Other piercings and tattoos must be covered during contract hours and school-related activities. Employees may be required to remove earrings which pose a safety hazard or create a disruption."

"If the tattoo is visible, if there is some way it can be appropriately covered, that would be acceptable," Zabriskie said.

Johnson says his tattoos are a chance to teach others not to be so judgmental.

"Why should I cover that opportunity up?" he said.

"There are lessons in maybe not judging, not jumping to conclusions. We all need to learn those lessons," Johnson said. "Some people haven't learned those lessons, even as adults."

Johnson said he doesn't plan to file a lawsuit or quit his job. He just wants to voice his disagreement with the policy in a civil manner.

"I'm not a confrontational kind of guy," he said. "But I want to stand up for myself, for sure."

The new policy also addresses employee dress, defining it as "clothing that is clean, neat and in good repair that is considered appropriate for workplace attire."

"We're not expecting folks to wear coat and tie, hose and heels, but we expect them to be a role model with a professional dress standard," Zabriskie said.

According to the policy, inappropriate attire includes sweat pants, exercise pants, beach shorts, short shorts, bib overalls, baggy clothing, leggings and any spandex or other form-fitting pants such as for biking, as well as short or tight skirts, mini-skirts, shorts, sun dresses, beach dresses and halter top dresses.

Also forbidden are tank tops, midriff tops, shirts with potentially offensive words, terms, logos, pictures, cartoons and slogans, halter tops and low cut blouses.

"Beach" flip-flops are also a no-no.

"In the work environment, all employees are expected to demonstrate modesty in the choice of clothing," the policy states.

 

[drag n' fly]

Tats might look cool when they are fresh, but I have never seen a crisp looking tat on a 60 year old. The little parrot starts to look like a bit of road kill... With that in mind I see a tattoo as a sign that the person doesn't have any foresight, they don't respect their body, they are most likely followers and just not a good role model. And if anyone outside your family is viewed as a role model to young kids it is a teacher they see 6 hours a day... I would have a real problem with some trashy looking teacher for my kids and that is what people look like when they have tattoos.

Probably not a great idea to lump everyone with tattoos in the same group. There are plenty of respectable people on the board with tattoos and piercings, myself included.
Narrow minded people such as yourself are definitely not worth getting points over.

As for my opinion as long as they are in good taste and the teacher does a great job....good for them!!

 

[YodaGirl]

In our school district, we aren't allowed to have tattoos showing.

 

[brytorlyn]

My DD's teacher had tattoos and piercings that she felt she needed to show the students (belly button piercing) and explain how there was nothing wrong with them and how people (like parents) need to be more open minded and accept them.

Nice of her to educate my child.

Oh, BTW we home school now. (not due to the above incident)

 

[YodaGirl]

My DD's teacher had tattoos and piercings that she felt she needed to show the students (belly button piercing) and explain how there was nothing wrong with them and how people (like parents) need to be more open minded and accept them.

Nice of her to educate my child.

Oh, BTW we home school now. (not due to the above incident)

Yikes. I'm surprised that there weren't repercussions of some sort (even minor) for that.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

How about tatoos on parents? How about more tatoos than teeth on parents? How about not picking apart EVERYTHING teachers do? Last time I checked this is still the USA and if a teacher wants to come in looking like Lizard Man but does his/her job it is really not up for discussion.
Frankly, I did not read the whole thread but once again the premise of it is disconcerting.

Teachers in the public schools have a morals clause in their contract but it does NOT include tatoos, piercings or any other body adornment.

Do I like tatoos? Not really but the principle of this discussion bothers me Seriously? REALLY?

What next? Are teachers too fat? Should teachers die their hair? Honestly find another group to look at or better yet take stock of your own short comings.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Tats might look cool when they are fresh, but I have never seen a crisp looking tat on a 60 year old. The little parrot starts to look like a bit of road kill... With that in mind I see a tattoo as a sign that the person doesn't have any foresight, they don't respect their body, they are most likely followers and just not a good role model. And if anyone outside your family is viewed as a role model to young kids it is a teacher they see 6 hours a day... I would have a real problem with some trashy looking teacher for my kids and that is what people look like when they have tattoos.

Then you must not have ever seen a 60 year old with a new tattoo. You know there's no upper age limit on these, right? I mean, I'm in my mid-fifties and my arms and shoulders are nice and smooth. That parrot would look cute on my shoulder for, probably, the rest of my life. I'll swing by the tattoo parlor around the corner on my way to work in the morning and check out their hours...

The DIS is getting more ageist every day