Teachers and Tattoos

Hi ladies!

I also have a question for the teachers out there. I am going back to school to get my certification for elemetary education and I start field experience in 2 weeks. I have a fairly large tattoo on my ankle and since I am in Georgia, it is still so hot here I don't want to always wear slacks.

My question is, would you always cover it up or is your school okay with it? My feeling is I want to cover it up and I'm thinking those flats with the large ankle sraps may do the trick?

Re: Teachers and Tattoos

I have a tattoo on my ankle...it's three flowers and it wraps half way around the outside of my ankle. Here in NYC, we have a union so they can't tell you anything about what you can and can't wear or show. My sister worked as a teacher in a suburb of Charlotte, NC and was also fine with her tattoo (the same) and they are a union free state. I guess I would just use my best judgement - if it's a tattoo of a fire breathing dragon slaying a child (I'm kidding of course) I would cover it up. If it's tasteful I really think you should be fine.

Re: Teachers and Tattoos

The District I'm in is fine with tattoos. Many teachers have visible tattoos there. I was recently transferred to a yeshiva school, however, and if I had tattoos I would definatly cover them up! It really depends on how conservative the school/district is.

I would wear slacks for the first week or so...just look around at the other teachers. You can usually gauage the level of professional dress and then base it off of them.

Re: Teachers and Tattoos

for field experience i would cover it up! once you're a hired teacher, i wouldn't worry about it as much but since you're still a student and not an employee i would try to be more conservative...

Re: Teachers and Tattoos

My whole back is tattooed...this is my tenure year and I have not let it show yet....if I wear a shirt that shows it i throw a sweater over my shoulders....once I get tenure I will not hide it like i do now.

If yours is large I would just suck it up and wear slacks...espcecially if this school is a potential one to hire you you want to put the best foot forward and not everyone appreciates them or understands them unfortunately. People do judge and you could have an administrator who has very old school views and you could get judged no matter how great a teacher you are.

Re: Teachers and Tattoos

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Posted by brittndave

for field experience i would cover it up! once you're a hired teacher, i wouldn't worry about it as much but since you're still a student and not an employee i would try to be more conservative...

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ITA

Re: Teachers and Tattoos

No I dont cover up my ankle tattoo. I teach middle school, so sometimes the kids say something...but it's usually just 'cool tattoo.' End of story.

NYC school teachers are not required to cover them. I have one on my back too that is covered.

Re: Teachers and Tattoos

My friend is a teacher for a catholic school... and she can't show her tatts and has to cover them all up. She even has a lil lizard on her wrist/arm area.... so she has to wear thick bracelets to cover it up.