The Yellow Board

Tattoos

Posted by Youngin on 5/9/2022, 7:02 pm

What are your opinions on having tattoos as a middle school band director? I am a young teacher and worried about how older, more experienced teachers and parents may view me.

Re: Tattoos

Posted by DSmrsgl on 5/12/2022, 4:14 pm, in reply to "Tattoos"

Just met our new Assistant principal at what I consider a pretty conservative school.

Has several tats.

Cool guy!

I think it's less an issue as a few years ago.

Re: Tattoos

Posted by Yep... on 5/12/2022, 9:38 pm, in reply to "Re: Tattoos"

...I'd have to agree with you on that one.

Betraying my age here, but I remember that I was in college when getting tattoos started to be the "In" thing to do along with body piercings, and dying hair. Not dying it in purple or pink (much), but by making it look obvious that you had a dye job...making black hair look REALLY black, etc. A year or two later came the WILD dye jobs.

Thought it would last 5 years once those who got the tats and piercings started getting "buyer's remorse", and then fizzle out like any other fad.
Well, it has definitely been more than 5 years...and here we are.

Re: Tattoos

Posted by Not important on 5/11/2022, 1:08 pm, in reply to "Tattoos"

Many of our staff members in my district have large (and very visible tattoos). Our guard director has a full sleeve and nobody cares.

Re: Tattoos

Posted by Roland on 5/11/2022, 12:46 pm, in reply to "Tattoos"

I have very large tattoo on my right forearm. At the beginning of the year, I tell its story and significance to me.

The students never say anything else about it after that, and my administration has never said anything either.

Can't wait to turn it into a sleeve!

Re: Tattoos

Posted by Need new peepers on 5/11/2022, 8:42 am, in reply to "Tattoos"

Honestly, I thought the question said "What are your opinions on having tattoos as a middle school (student)"...
and, yes, I have seen a few in my years.
Middle school students with tattoos.

No, really.

Anywho, Happy STAAR test day, y'all.

Re: Tattoos

Posted by Coop on 5/10/2022, 1:00 pm, in reply to "Tattoos"

My opinion is who cares. It’s 2022.

Re: Tattoos

Posted by You do you on 5/10/2022, 12:58 pm, in reply to "Tattoos"

It's your body and you can do whatever you want with it! Anyone who has a problem this day and age is in the minority. We are in a crisis looking for teachers in this state and exluding anyone with a tattoo is really dumb.

Re: Tattoos

Posted by Wait on 5/11/2022, 7:41 am, in reply to "Re: Tattoos"

So you are saying we don't need to worry what somebody looks like and just hire qualified, professional, safe, trustworthy adults to teach the children sitting in front of them? What a concept!

Of course, we should probably make sure the tattoos aren't prison tear drops or gang affiliations...... But other than that, preach on! Hire the qualified and quit worrying about looks, gender, color, shape, political party, religious affiliation, or who they prefer in the bedroom. Quality instructors that love kids, (the right way), and love music more.

Re: Tattoos

Posted by 1A HBD on 5/12/2022, 9:01 am, in reply to "Re: Tattoos"

In theory, that is a great idea. In reality, it does not work that way, even if you think it should.

Re: Tattoos

Posted by Where? on 5/12/2022, 5:09 pm, in reply to "Re: Tattoos"

Where does it not work that way? I have worked with a number of people of all colors, orientations, hair color and tattoos. I know what media would like us to believe but I haven't seen it. Maybe your experiences are different than my multiple decades of teaching.

Re: Tattoos

Posted by 1A HBD on 5/13/2022, 8:03 am, in reply to "Re: Tattoos"

I have taught for multiple decades myself. I think it is very naive to think that even in 2022, that people are not judged on appearance in job interviews, especially in small conservative towns.

Please do not misunderstand me. I am not saying it is right. I am just saying that it still happens.

In theory always hiring the most qualified person is the right move. But it is not the world we live in.

Even in 2022, we still discriminate on who we hire whether it be race, gender or even tattoos.

Re: Tattoos

Posted by Amen on 5/12/2022, 6:15 am, in reply to "Re: Tattoos"

Living in a community where not having tattoos makes people stare at me at Wal Mart makes me wonder, what planet am I from?

Re: Tattoos

Posted by So... on 5/10/2022, 3:25 pm, in reply to "Re: Tattoos"

....if I get a BIG tattoo on my face in the form of the middle finger, can I be your assistant director?

Re: Tattoos

Posted by Grubbs on 5/11/2022, 1:51 pm, in reply to "Re: Tattoos"

Oh, my God! Pics or it didn't happen

Re: Tattoos

Posted by So... on 5/11/2022, 3:59 pm, in reply to "Re: Tattoos"

No, no....didn't happen. But the point that I was trying to make playing Devil's Advocate, is that, indeed it is a personal decision, but would having someone inked up like Darth Maul, or with an obscene gesture on their face, interacting with kids and parents be taken seriously no matter how excellent a teacher they are?

Also, I know this isn't the direction the OP is going...but at the same time if people are going to say "Lay off, it's 2022", or something like that, then the question has to be asked, even if in reality it's silly, and unlikely to happen.

Re: Tattoos

Posted by Answer on 5/11/2022, 8:48 am, in reply to "Re: Tattoos"

Can you teach band?!

Re: Tattoos

Posted by So... on 5/11/2022, 3:19 pm, in reply to "Re: Tattoos"

....yes. But say you have an opening, and have three equally qualified candidates....the only difference is that one of them will look like they are flipping everyone off every time they walk in the room due to a face-sized tattoo on their face.

Which one do you hire? Remember, the only difference between the three is the ink.

Re: Tattoos

Posted by Honestly. on 5/11/2022, 7:19 am, in reply to "Re: Tattoos"

If it didn't affect your ability to do your job, yes.

Unfortunately, you can't interact with parents or students with that sort of tattoo, so it would affect your job. So then, as a teacher, no, I wouldn't hire you.

If you, however, were not in a customer-facing role, and were competent to perform the work, I absolutely would hire you. If you worked in paperwork in HR, in a call center, as a programmer, or in some other position that didn't require you to visibly and physically interact? Sure.

Re: Tattoos

Posted by Question... on 5/10/2022, 9:57 am, in reply to "Tattoos"

I don't mean to offend, however:

Isn't there a better way to express yourself that is not as permanent or costly?

How many people have you seen who are financially hurting, but found a way to finance their ink?

Re: Tattoos

Posted by Percy on 5/11/2022, 1:14 pm, in reply to "Re: Tattoos"

Its just like anything else. We all have our vices and addictions of a any variety. Maybe you choose to drink two sodas a day, which is slowly killing you, or work consistent 90 hour weeks. Why can't I have a tattoo that reminds me of the various event I've either been through in life or that have gotten me through life thus far. I personally have permanent ink on my arm and what that represents to me has been the only thing that had made me smile the whole day.

Re: Tattoos

Posted by Youngin on 5/10/2022, 5:37 pm, in reply to "Re: Tattoos"

There may be better ways to express myself but I enjoy having personalized artwork on my body by artists I really respect and enjoy. This artwork also makes me feel WAY more confident about my body! Some people like to spend money purchasing costly artwork for their home but I like to purchase artwork that makes me feel more confident in my own skin. Personalized, permanent artwork is going to be costly & VERY rightfully so. I’m not hurting in the finance department.

I have been working my tail off gaining the respect of my elder mentors/coworkers, students and parents and was wondering if that respect and perspective of me would change if I started showing my tattoos.

Re: Tattoos

Posted by Big Jim on 5/10/2022, 7:58 am, in reply to "Tattoos"

I've only heard older (retired now) teachers complain about teachers with them.

Just make sure you are professional.

Re: Tattoos

Posted by Okay... on 5/10/2022, 6:50 am, in reply to "Tattoos"

I teach in every building in my district.

I know of only three teachers that have tattoos...but they keep them covered (as per district policy), sometimes the coach's tats are exposed during practice as he changes from a shirt & tie to t-shirt & shorts. If more teachers have them, I do not know about them as the subject doesn't come up at lunch.

I personally do not care for tattoos, I don't see the attraction...although I must admit that the artwork these days is impressive. If someone wants to get a tattoo, more power to them.

I work in a very conservative area. Most people here have a "live and let live" attitude about tattoos unless it's obscene, or able to be seen in a location that should be covered anyway.

I would concur with "Me"...as long as you're following policy, the only people that will have a problem with a tattoo will be the "busy bodies" that are looking for attention.

Re: Tattoos

Posted by Me on 5/10/2022, 5:35 am, in reply to "Tattoos"

I teach elementary.

Nearly ALL of my coworkers under 40 have at least one tattoo. Many have .. many.

I work in a fairly conservative suburb in DFW.

Unless it’s obscene, there’ll likely not be anyone who cares except for people looking for a problem.

Re: Tattoos

Posted by yet on 5/12/2022, 11:48 am, in reply to "Re: Tattoos"

I find this whole thread interesting. Some of the responses imply that it's discriminatory to not hire someone simply because they have a tattoo. But, there are still districts that discriminate in the hiring process due to race, gender and religion. I said, "some" not "all." At least with a tattoo there is a choice that was made. With race, a person was born that way and in some instances are judged simply based on that alone.

Re: Tattoos

Posted by Uhhhh.... on 5/13/2022, 1:19 pm, in reply to "Re: Tattoos"

But, there are still districts that discriminate in the hiring process due to race, gender and religion.

Be sure you can prove that before you point the ugly end of the stick at anyone.
Defamation of Character is legally actionable.

Re: Tattoos

Posted by Just saying. on 5/14/2022, 9:51 am, in reply to "Re: Tattoos"

Know how I know you haven’t ever applied for principal jobs?

Re: Tattoos

Posted by Count Bubba on 5/10/2022, 2:49 am, in reply to "Tattoos"

I'm not sure many people care. Quite a few of the teachers at my school have them, even some of the older ones.Some of my administrators have tattoos. But we're also a district that requires that the tattoos be covered. One of our art teacher has to wear at least 3/4 sleeves to conceal his.

It might also depend on where your school is. Mine is in a semi-rural area. Very blue collar. Most of our parent probably have tattoos themselves.

Re: Tattoos

Posted by Jeremy on 5/10/2022, 1:59 am, in reply to "Tattoos"

Be an amazing teacher.

It won’t matter what you look like relative to tattoos.

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