To get a tattoo that's very visible as a teacher?

[LifeLong13]

I've been teaching for over a decade. I have several tattoos and only one is visible and it's on my foot.

I'm debating a tattoo of a lotus flower on my lower arm.

As a parent how would you feel if your child's teacher was tattooed? If you employ teachers how would you feel?

*neck tattoos, not next tattoos... oops :D

But I'm not British (just an expat living in Scotland) so maybe my opinion is more conservative than that of the average Brit.

I think it depends on your opinions on tattoos in general?

I'm not a fan and don't have any....

As long as it's not "all kids are cunts" I don't see the issue with a teacher having a tattoo.

Honestly? I wouldn't like it. I wouldn't say or do anything but deep down I would judge you a little bit for it. I am a snob and I don't like tattoos.

Francis we agree at my school. We recognise that many of our kids overcome some huge barriers just to get to our gates. We do have a uniform policy which is there to be followed however we try to encompass the reason WHY they are not in uniform. Many never arrive on Monday morning in full uniform as they've been with Dad over the weekend. Maybe mum couldn't/wouldn't hand over the uniform. One chap never wore his & after much digging we found out mum never washed it and he was ashamed to wear his dirty uniform to school. We're more about the child and meeting their needs than whether they're wearing the right trousers etc.

Wearepregnant I do have a tattoo on my wedding finger that's hidden under my rings so it's never seen. And congrats!

I don't love tattoos. Couldn't get a shit is my child's teacher had one. In fact I think it shows a bit of flare and I like that (just not on my skin!) My DS was in hospital recently and he was very interested in his nurses tattoos. She was a wonderful caring human. And it was a great talking point for my DS who couldn't understand why she had scribbles on her arms

I teach in an FE college. I have tattoos on my upper arms and several hidden ones. It's never been an issue but I do tend to cover them during open days or parents evening. I want more ink but I will have them where they can be covered because I realise that some people don't like them. In fact a couple of years ago my line manager was being congratulated on our depts exam results. She pointed me out to the principal and said there's 'glamorous ' if you want to tell her. Apparently he said he wouldn't speak to me as my tattoos were showing! Result! He can avoid me as long as he likes! Lol.

I'd think it was all a bit meh if I'm honest. Atypical kids can see through any bullshit as much as the next kid too. I work with atypical pupils and because they often get a raw deal in mainstream schools (the newest or worst teachers etc) I make sure I look super smart and professional as I think it shows I take them seriously and think they're deserving of an effort being made. I love the reaction when I go in all togged up and then get down on the floor with my heels off
I am a slob in my outside hours life though.

I absolutely hate tattoos.

I am a teacher.

I have school aged children

None of those statements mean you have to give 2 fucks what I think. We are free to dress, embellish, do whatever we want to ourselves. Kids need good teachers. Nothing about how we look conflicts with our ability to do our job.

Funny how different people react to them isn't it Blue? My midwife was covered in them and it made me like her even more.

Well, you're not in mainstream so yes, it might get you some kudos with your students and their parents.

I get that tattoos are common now but I have the same concerns about tattoos that I do about breast enlargement and Botox and Brazilians and all the other painful procedures that people put themselves through out of excessive obsession with personal appearance.

What are you modelling to your pupils? Freedom of choice, my body is my own to do with as I choose, I'm a free spirit, I'm proper alternative me. Or I'm going to do something painful and permanent to my body because it's fashionable.

My deputy head has visible tattoos, as do several other staff members. None of them distasteful, obviously. I'd say it depends on the school, and probably more likely to be okay at primary than secondary.

Sailing Its so funny as I kind of take the opposite stance. I'm covered up etc (never wear heels as you never know when you're going to have to pelt down a hall way to an incident and I can barely walk in heels ) but I think not wearing a suit means the kids connect easier? I feel for me it's one less barrier to overcome? But we all do it different and we all do it well

Hedda I'm not after kudos via tattoos. My kudos comes from happier and achieving kids. And it's not the tattoos being alternative. It's many things. Beliefs, teaching style, behavioural management style, many things that when you work in such a close knit environment with them they know and sense. And it is an alternative setting? All the kids at our school didn't "fit" into a mainstream setting.

Sorry Hedda I had to post an unfinished comment so I could return to reread yours. I'm promoting individuality, celebrating differences & that you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover.

Also it is fashionable. Can I not follow a trend as I'm a teacher?

I don't wear a suit but I always look very smart and I can outrun every kid I've needed to so far I find the kids and parents easy to connect with as they're quick at catching on that I'm on their side. I'm not sure how tats would help with that tbh especially as they'll become quite passe eventually as all fads do in the end. I think they're shell suits in the making in the longer term but each to their own.

It wouldn't bother me at all, in fact I would probably like it

But agree it could limit your chances in a more stuffy work environment - but then, would you actually want to work in a place like that ?

Funny how different people react to them isn't it Blue? My midwife was covered in them and it made me like her even more

Can I ask why?

Not being snarky, I'm actually genuinely interested.

I'm confused as to why some people are saying they wouldn't like a professional person to have tattoos on show, as I don't see how it affects their ability to do their jobs.

Now I'm equally as interested to know why tattoos on show would make you like a person more than if they didn't?

It sounds like it's the same sort of 'judgement', only in reverse?

I have tattoos on each of my inner wrists, a foot tattoo and one on the back of my neck. I don't give a shit what parents think tbh. My choices to have tattoos don't affect my teaching ability

Sailing Kudos to you RE the heels! As I said I can't even walk in them! Sorry I thought you said you wore a suit. I had my first tattoo 15 years ago so I don't think it'll be something I regret in years to come. However I've never succumb to the shell suit trend so time will tell

I wouldn't care, I've had a fair bit of myself coloured it but our head is very strict on visible tattoos so it might go against you in future.

As long as it's not a swastika on your neck, it wouldn't matter.

Worra I wouldn't not like someone who wasn't tattooed. I wouldn't have turned away a non tattooed midwife. I guess it was for the same reason if I see someone with a similar style sense to me. We all seek out those with similar hobbies etc to us I guess.

No I'm sure you wouldn't not like her, I'm just interested to know why her having visible drawings on her skin, made you like her even more?

If that's how you feel, surely you would then understand how having visible drawings on someone's skin, might make people like someone less?

I personally don't understand either as they're just drawings...no more and no less.

Lion heart I debated a svastika which is a Buddhist peace symbol. (not on my arm somewhere hidden) The nazis reversed it & obviously gave it a very different meaning. But I didn't want to be judged on it being mistaken for a swastika so swiftly decided not to have one.