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?

The thing is, having a visible tattoo doesn't affect your ability to do a good job any more than having facial piercings, a mohican or wearing ripped jeans would. But I'd prefer my kids teacher to look a bit more professional.

Interesting cross post with Thornrose

Why would you want a tattoo you could cover OP?

I wouldn't like it.

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

It would have made me react the opposite to her. But I hate tattoos and think they show a lack of long term judgement when you cannot cover them up.

You would not be allowed to work in my school with visible tattoos on show - our staff policy is very very clear.

In answer to your question OP- I would not be happy at a teacher setting an example like this, the same as a teacher having stretched ear lobes.

I have never seen a beautiful tattoo, to my eyes they all look cheap and nasty, horrible body graffiti.

And a lotus flower.......yawn, how original.

I don't think it looks professional or serious. So you would have to reach a higher standard than someone without to achieve the same level of praise from me.

I think it does show poor judgement. Why would anyone want to inject themselves with untested, unregulated products is beyond me.

A midwife I had was covered in them. She was rubbish and it took my DH to tell her I was actually delivering.

I really wouldn't care less about the teacher having a tattoo, unless it was something offensive/swear words or so. Most my friends have tattoos, I'm one of the few without one! I would, like you, be concerned about future work options because of it though, as some people can be a bit close minded about tattoos.

pottering, I am a school governor and I know that any teacher coming for an interview with a visible tattoo not be considered for employment.

Personally,

Although I agree that having a tattoo has no effect on ability, the question is whether it is professional? Teachers are professionals and, imo, should dress professionally, especially in a school with a strict uniform policy. Teachers have to lead by example.

Maybe social mores are changing but until it is widely accepted that a surgeon or barrister can have visible tattoos, I think it is inappropriate on a teacher.

On a practical level, you are just setting the bar a little bit higher for future promotion/employment possibilities. Why would you want to do that?

I hate tattoos and whilst I wouldn't say anything I would question what message you are giving out. Depending on the uniform and what age you teach. And it you're asking then I don't understand why you're doing it.

Personally I think tattoos are horrid and ugly.

But I completely respect your right to mutilate your own skin permanently, and I would not have an issue if you were my dc's teacher.

Give it 10 to 20 years and this whole tattoo fashion will be over.

Unlike the tattoos which will have faded, stretched, lost definition.

A midwife I had was covered in them. She was rubbish and it took my DH to tell her I was actually delivering

Whereas the midwife I had issues with was incredibly traditional, no visible tattoos.

The thing that always makes me laugh about these threads is the throwaway comments about "following fashion" and "it will affect your career"

Neither true in my experience

Wouldn't bother me and I have no tattoos .
To be honest it would be your teaching and ways with the children that would matter , not any tattoo

The social conventions of older people do tend to be more conservative. Heads tend to be in that older group. So you may limit your promotion opportunities. I think young people see all their friends having them and think oh, it's normal these days, but do remember that when us older people were young a tattoo was thought if as subversive and only for the rough. Now bearing in mind that it's those people who will be interviewing you. None if my professional friends have them so you would look different to them and their standards.

Well I'm a teacher and a few years ago we had a work experience student join our department for a short while. She mentioned that she had a tattoo and was this ok. This then led to a discussion where it turned out that I was the only person who didn't have a tattoo!
A number of member of staff in my school have visible tattoos and as yet no one has complained. They are all small ones, names for example, but in places you can't hid like hands, wrists or necks.

I personally wouldn't have a tattoo but I couldn't give a shit if someone else does. The days of them being the preserve of sailors and prisoners are long gone. They are staggeringly ordinary now.

I don't think anyone at all gets a tattoo these days and thinks they're being alternative. It's just decorating your skin, like putting on jewellery or make up

^^This

Also, IINM, user147... has been all over the boards in the last couple of days making mean comments for the sake of it - I'd ignore. (user, please enlighten the sheeple as to what sort of thing would qualify as less "yawn"?)

It's your body and you should be able to do whatever you want to it. However, you're asking about the pragmatics of prejudice against it.

I don't think we can answer that for you. But having RTFT, I'm pretty confident the key questions are:

• Does your current employer care?
• Do you think that that reflects on their approach in general - and would you want to work somewhere that did care?

I like that you take an alternative/atypical approach - from what you've said, the kids in your care aren't there because "the norm" works for them.

FWIW, I have a hand piercing, and my closest colleague has a sleeve (much of the "filler" still a WIP). We're in head office for a multinational. However I'm similarly anxious about first impressions, and if I were unsure - interviews, client-facing stuff - I'd cover my hand with a little spot plaster.

Sorry for War & Peace! TL;DR: employment is a two way street and in a good working relationship you make concessions for each other. You sound like you thrive in an environment that lets you be you, so get the damn tattoo

FWIW, I have a hand piercing,

How edgy.

I wouldn't be bothered if my child's teacher had a tattoo (assuming it's not offensive), the only thing I am concerned about when it comes to her teacher is the quality of the teaching

In what way does having a tattoo make you appear unprofessional? Baffled that people think tattoos must genuinely show inability to undertake professional practice in a given sector.
Surely people must see that this has been a hugely popular and growing trend in the last decade and is about as subversive as baking cupcakes!
As a parent I would only notice it if it was a very badly executed tattoo. No excuse for baldly drawn ink these days.
By the time you want to move on in your career in a few years time the chances are nobody will care about them anyway.

DSs reception teacher had lots of tattoos on his arms. They were mostly covered by his clothes but were on display more in the summer. Didn't bother me and I really dislike tattoos personally. He was also the best most inspirational and caring teacher I've ever seen.

Ive known people not get jobs, and heard conversations regarding such. Of course they don't know that's the reason, because if you go into an interview and don't fit in with the look of management they will find other aspects of your performance to dislike. Go to an interview in torn jeans and a bustier, you might be a fab teacher but you have a bit if work to do to overcome first impressions.

I wouldn't care, what's your school's policy on visible tattoos? I've never seen a teacher or TA with one.