Teachers with tattoos

As long as the teacher is qualified to do the job, I don't care if he/she has tattoos (obviously nothing nasty), piercings, blue hair or green skin! I really think in this day and age we need to move beyond the stereotyping and focus on what is really mportant. In this case the education of our children is on the line. Tattoos are so common place that I doubt children are distracted by them in the slightest.

I am not a public school teacher, but I teach homeschool co-op classes, and have visible tattoos. There has never been a question raised. I am pursuing a teaching degree, in order to start an after school program. I'm sure I'll start to hear some gruff from some of these parents. But its really not a matter of bad example, its a form of self expression and creativity, and that is what my goal is to instill in the children that are put in my hands. I'm also a helper in a Sunday school class, thinking about teaching, and no negativity has ever been raised there either. The kids think its interesting and ask me questions about it. I don't encourage them to run out against their parents wishes to get marked up. But I do explain to them why I got them and what they mean to me. I also explain to them that tattoos are not for everyone, and some people think they are bad. But everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and have the right (once they turn 18) to do what they want with their own bodies. I got one of my tats when I was 14, my mom was there and paid for it. I never tell them how old I was when I got them, just that I don't think they are wrong, and neither do my parents.

hi woo! well, yeah, if i say, i wouldn't want my kids' teachers to have tattoos. you see, there is a certain reputation attached to having tattoos, well at least in our city. so if one has tattoos, he or she is associated with a wayward life. anyway, i try to keep an open mind in this issue. but it is really hard. personally, i don't like tattoos either. why i only like is an extra piercing on my ear. that's it. but even that, my mom won't allow it. lol so you can imagine how conservative our surroundings is. lol

I have been teaching (in college) for almost nine years. I have seen teachers with tattoos. Some hidden, others, visible. I am not really bothered by this. Perhaps because I teach in the tertiary level. My opinion may be totally different if we are talking about elementary or secondary level.

I would not think that it really matters to be honest, I would not say it was a bad influence on childre, if that was the case then all the parents that have tattoes would be classed as a bad influence on their children. I am not bothered about it either way at all.

I think it depend on what kind of student you teach . Some hard students will not respect their teacher having tattoo , but some students will feel friendly with these teachers . And I'm the person who in the first case . And I think Teacher having tattoo shouldn't teach kids under 10 years old that scares them ^^

Well, firsty as a teacher, you're always expected to be a role model no matter where you are, inside or outside the school. Because, outside the school, you might still be spotted by your students. So, that's why teachers shouldn't have visible tattoos, should not take up smoking etc. I guess it comes to this: If one day your student is smoking, and you've caught him/her for it, he/she can just say this, "but you as a teacher smoke as well.. why can't i?" Kids these days misunderstands things easily.

OMG ppl need to find more important things to complain about ya know..I could care less if my kids teachers had tattoos, body piercings or whatever AS LONG AS THEY ARE GOOD AT THEIR JOB thats all I care about..As long as they CARE about the students learning etc then I couldnt give a flying crap what they do to their bodies on their time etc etc..

I don't think a teacher should have a visible tattoo--not a grade school teacher, anyway... A theatre or art professor or such, maybe... But a teacher, in general, especially a grade school teacher should be fully professional in appearance and decorum.

Interesting topic, woo. I believe that tattoos should fall in the same category of clothing and jewelry. There should be a professionalism about them that should be met, but hidden altogether seems a bit extreme. I do agree that political, social, and other statements should not be allowed to be made in clothes, jewelry, tats, or anything when it could have an influence on the students.

I don't think it should matter at all. I think what should matter is passion. If teachers are passionate about their job and inspiring students that is what counts. I think tattoos are really artwork that should be displayed. I guess there are exceptions to the rule like a tattoo that says "all kids must die" and a decapitated baby. So I think if the tattoo isn't obscene there is no reason to hide it.

I have three tattoo's. I don't see why teachers shouldn't be allowed to have tattoo's, if everyone else can have them. Its a stereotypical mindset that makes people think its a bad thing to have tattoo's. People don't realize that some tattoo's and most are religous or have significant meaning. I'm sure that it would be fair to say inappropriate tattoo's would have to be covered up, but telling them none at all is wrong. I'm sure a as a parent i'd be upset if my childs teacher had a picture of a naked lady, a satanic symbol, or a very gorey picture. I think that its just a mindset of most overprotective parents that if they're children see the tattoo's they will want one. Its possible, but you can't stop them. If they're going to do it they will eventually do it, with or without your premission. Now wouldn't you rather have your child ask you about it and you tell them when they are older they can choose to have one. Or have them be sheilded from it, and decide they want one because you say they are bad. Its a perfect " i'm mad at my parents" kick, i've seen it happen several times. So personally I think it should be allowed within reason, but I also think there are lots of parents out there that would mess it up for everyone. Its just a very contraversial item, that will always be scrutinized.

I think that as more and more people in their 20s and 30s get tattoos, it's soon going to be difficult for schools to hire teachers if they won't hire anyone with visible tattoos. I'm of the opinion that the most qualified person should be in the classroom, not based on how they look or what they've had put onto their skin. (Of course, keep in mind this is coming from someone with 6 tattoos. Only the top of one is visible if I wear a T-shirt (it's on my back, slightly onto the back of my neck), and all the rest are concealable under a T-shirt.)

If the teacher had at some point made a conscious decision that body art was going to be part of their life then the people recruiting that person would have to accept that this decoration is part of the 'whole' package. Whether or not they thought that affected their ability or desirability to do the job woiuld be up to their bosses. There is an age limit on kids getting tattoos anyway so it would be up to the parents to enforce that, if the child came home and said, 'cool, the teacher's got a great snake tattoo, I want one too!

have no opinion on that . If kids see tattos on people and they like them they might get one if they can stand needles do nessarily have to be on a teacher at all.

According to my oldest, her teacher has a tattoo. It has to be a visible tattoo or she wouldn't know about it. My daughter doesn't think anything about it, because her dad has 2. I don't see anything wrong with them. I mean really, is having a tattoo going to make her a bad teacher compared to if she didn't. I have met and talked to her teacher and don't see her as a bad influence. So if teachers wants or has visible tattos, so what, more power to them. I'm just to chicken to get one myself. People shouldn't be judged for what they done to their bodies, it's how well they do their jobs that counts.

to have a body piercing or a tattoo, is a purely personal choice, and I think of teachers as people with lives other than teaching. As for influencing children, I am pretty sure they are more influenced by their peers than a teacher. Ask any parent and you will find that I want to wear lipstick because one of the class mates does, not because the teacher does or doesn't.there are always children that will follow a friend or class mate"s beliefs and actions. So to answer your question No I do not believe that teachers should have to cover up any part of their body that has tattoos, that would not normally be covered.

I don't see why they shouldn't! Surely a teacher is a role model because of their outlook on life , their ability to pique the interest of their pupils in the subject they teach and impart knowledge? I can not think of any reason why a tattoo would interfere with this role - unless it is full of hate or extreme violent! xxxx

I don't think it matters much as long as they are a good teacher. People everywhere have tatoos and they are not a bad influence on our kids. It's the person that matters. Back in my day, teachers could not wear long hair. My last year in school, my english teacher did grow out his hair and got a lot of flack from higher ups. He was one of the best teachers I had and it didn't seem fair.

I think they should have them if they want to have them. This goes for doctors, lawyers, minsters, congressmen, barbers. I don't think tattoos are a bad influence on children, I think it's a form of self expression and some of them are flat out art.