Memos from the command post.

incognerdo:

Yeah, I was kind of answering with sleeves and cheek piercing in mind.

Part of me thinks you have to prove yourself as an educator before you go the visible route with big tattoos. I’d love to get my facial piercings back but I know it’s not okay anywhere I’ve been so far.

Anyone else have tattoo/piercing in the education field experience?

I have my ears pierced and gauged to a size 6.  I usually wear my CBRs, but occasionally stretch to a 4 to wear my flesh tunnels.  Yes, I am a male, an educator, and I have my ears pierced.  Moving on.

A lot of the students are caught off-guard seeing a teacher who is professional in appearance and attitude with piercings.  Most students think it’s cool.  A few of the close-minded boys think it’s “queer” but no one has been stupid enough to call me queer, gay, or a fag…yet (they will not survive the attempt).  Some students ask me a few questions (i.e. gauge size, if I have any more piercings or tattoos, tips about cleaning and/or care) and that can lead into a conversation about really thinking about a body modification before you follow through.  It’s generally a positive or neutral reaction from students.  The same goes for my beard. Almost everyone loves the beard, but it can obscure someone’s first impression/opinion of me.

Other teachers usually don’t say much (honestly, most don’t even notice probably), but a few have questioned my professionalism and how the administration doesn’t go for that.  These are mostly teachers that have 15-20+ years.  The younger teachers don’t say anything.  Some of the traditional older male teachers have tried to make fun of me over the piercings, but it doesn’t bother me.  Let it roll off and poke fun back at them and a testosterone fueled relationship has been forged.

When I start at a school (or if there is a strict code enforcement) I won’t wear my earrings.  After a few days or weeks, I’ll throw them in and see if anything is said.  I have never been told to remove my piercings (which is good, because one does not simply remove CBRs).  

I never wear my earrings to job interviews.  Never.  First impressions are as important as they are made out to be.

I do not have any tattoos.  I knew before I was finished high school that I was going into education and have been hesitant.  I have a handful of ideas, most of which I have had for at least over a year (I have carefully thought about each of the ideas).  These tattoos will happen, but at a time when I have money and a steady job and my own house/apartment.  My parents are anti-tattoo. They were anti-piercings, but I wore them down on that.  I could probably get a tattoo now that I am a self sustained adult, but I don’t want to find out any different.  Of course the tattoos will not be on my hands, neck, or face, and probably not my forearms for now.

The freedom to wear earrings as a male depends on the school and the community. If I am asked to remove my piercings, I will not start an argument.  I may ask to discuss the “issue” later, but I will not be angry or upset.  Piercings and tattoos are not traditionally acceptable or professional for teachers.  Very few teachers had any body mods when I went through high school.  One guy had his ears pierced (and he was not well liked/left the school my sophomore year); less than five teachers had tattoos that anyone ever found out about.  As time passes, the acceptance of body modifications progresses.  

My opinion is that if I am doing an exceptional job as an educator, then it does not matter what is dangling from my ears or imprinted on my skin.  The most important thing we inked and pierced educators can do is to continue to do the exceptional job that we are already doing, just as our clear-skinned cohorts do.  We’re all in the field of education for the same basic reasons: the money students and passion for our fields of study.

Keep on keepin’ on.  Fight the good fight.  Stand tall.  Keep calm and carry on.  Etc.

I’ll get off my soapbox now.

If you have further comments, a differing opinion, or just something to say to me about any of this: trevorthered.tumblr.com/ask