Teachers With Tats

Before my children were born, I worked in Boston as a corporate trainer and technical writer. Made great money and loved being around assertive, ambitious smarty-pants who are now running the company.

Standards existed in this company; we were professionals. I was once spoken to for not wearing pantyhose. No one wore visible tattoos, unusual piercings, wacky hairstyles or revealing clothes. At least not during work hours. At night, throwing down beers in Back Bay? Different story.

I approved of the duality. Working with others who dressed properly, used grown-up words and were paid well for it made me feel valued and fortunate. We worked hard and the desire to succeed showed in the way we looked and carried ourselves.

Gave up the corporate world to have kids and decided teaching was more to my family-friendly liking.

Teaching is a different bag from the aforementioned corporate scene. Educators, as a whole, are more emotional than professional and they don't dress or work like they want to run the show one day. However, some school boards, at the very least, want them to *appear* more professional.

I do believe the idea has merit; however, school board members have it backward. If they want to attract college graduates who are sharp - both in the way they think and dress - pay them a competitive salary with good benefits.

Then you'd have more to choose from and teachers with tats wouldn't be much of an issue.

h/t Gar