I am a tattoo enthusiast.
Most people at work don't know that about me. I work to project a professional demeanor and image so while I'm working my tattoos are generally covered. Over the summer I got some new ink on my forearm (nice little 'new school' sacred heart shown above) that I had placed just a little too far down. Now when I reach my sleeve creeps up and it pokes out.
My boss caught a glimpse of it during a meeting last week and was floored. Professional image shattered.
But only for a moment.
Once we got back on topic the tattoo was completely forgotten. I know my job, I am a professional. My actions and performance speak with greater intensity than a little bit of ink.
Over the years I've had principals who have declared things like, "All men must wear ties." "Women must wear hose." I've always thought, "What does it matter?"
Todd Whitaker once wrote, "Teachers will dress three levels down from the principal." (butchered paraphrase) I say as long as its within reason, let them. Focus your observations on what the teacher does rather than on what they wear.
Pedagogy, instruction, content knowledge, classroom management, differentiation, collaboration, community, assessment - these things speak much louder about a teacher's professionalism than a tie or a tat.
What do you think? I'd love to hear from you.
It is a trick not to let my tattoos show at school. The students see them on occasion and it is a shock the first time and then it is no big deal. The principal dislikes my long hair much more I think.
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