People who work at a school....?

Question

Okay, so I want to be a highschool teacher when I get out of college but I have a tongue ring and I want a tattoo on my upper back (low enough to where it's completely covered by a shirt) so my question is, if you're a teacher or work at a school what are the average policies on tattoos and piercings? I really don't want to have to take out my tongue ring but I wasn't sure if I could get away with a no-show, or maybe they wouldn't care at all? And the tattoo wouldn't be seen. So what are the policies at your place of employment?

Answer 1

I'd say that it'd be prudent to lose the tongue ring, as you are dealing with the entire range of parental reactions.

As well, you need to think of whether your tongue-ring allows for an image of professionalism.

Tattoos??? well, if they can't  see them, you're fine.

(I have a few, but then again, I'm a guy and they seem to lend themselves to the image that the school wants of being progressive and in touch with their students...

In short: best to ask the interviewer or any instructor at Teacher's College..

Answer 2

I'm a teacher at Albuquerque public schools.  I have multiple ear piercings that have never been an issue.  Many teachers I work with have tattoos (some showing).  An Educational Assistant I work with has many tattoos and gauged ears as well as tongue and body piercing.  Not a problem here.  Check the website for the district you want to work for, and maybe call and visit with some principals.  They'll let you know.  If you're professional in your dress, and in your interactions with students and coworkers, your body decorations shouldn't be a problem.

Answer 3

I'm not a teacher but i have a teacher who has a lot of piercings which he takes out when he is teaching. Piercings are fine if you take them out it seems.

Another teacher has a tramp stamp which can easily be seen so tattoos aren't a big deal either.

Answer 4

Teachers should be held to a higher standard than the students.   In our school, students cannot have either piercings or tattoos.   Of course, teachers are not allowed either.   It sure doesn't look very professional.

Answer 5

While it's nearly impossible for an administrator to fire a teacher for piercings and tattoos (especially if the teacher is tenured), you're really limiting your possibilities of being hired in the first place.

I teach in a fairly conservative area of the country, so I can't speak for all school districts' policies, but I simply wouldn't take the chance of going to an interview with a tongue ring in.  You definitely wouldn't be hired in the district where I teach.

Landmark law cases are on your side once you're hired, but my question is, why would you want to teach with a tongue ring anyway?

Answer 6

Most schools would not be happy with the tongue ring. I had my nose and eyebrow pierced and had to take them out. The school had a policy of no visibly piercings.  I also have a tattoo that isn't visible in a regular shirt so its not a problem.  We are told not to draw attention to physical things like tattoos and piercings.