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Feb
17
The Tattooed Teacher and Losing a Job
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Well, the inevitable happened today; I was called into my principal’s office and asked to cover my tattoos. I couldn’t do it. I respectfully declined, so now I must wait for the ramifications. It could ultimately end in my termination from my high school, but we’ll see.
Fifteen years ago, when I started teaching, I had tattoos, very visible and obvious; this didn’t stop my then principal from hiring me (thank goodness). If you’ve never met me I’m about three-hundred pounds, African-American and have dread locks. When I would tell people I was a high school teacher they hardly believed me—when I told them that I taught English, they always seemed astounded. “You don’t look like a teacher,” was a common response.
I heard that so much I started cutting people off by saying “I know, I don’t look like a teacher.” A few years after I started teaching I was at a function at Weber State University where I was talking to a professor there. He asked me what I did for a living and I told him that I taught high school English. After I told him that, I followed it up with “I know, I don’t look like a teacher.” He smiled and said, “What does a teacher look like?”
That has always stuck with me. “What does a teacher look like?” from that day on, I wasn’t concerned about looking the part of a teacher, I was more concerned with playing the part of a teacher, and that’s what I do—I teach–Whether it’s my high school students, or my jiu-jitsu kids and adults, or the two ladies that I tutor for free because they’re anxious about their English knowledge while attempting to go back to college—I teach. That’s what I do, even though I have dreads, and tattoos, and a menacing beard.
So tomorrow I’m off to school, short sleeves and no shame, to face uncertainty. If for some reason down the line I lose my job that won’t stop me from being a teacher—hey, that’s what I do.
Mark it is illegal to discriminate over the tattoo
I went through an ARL for my teachers degree, and I was approached with the same issue by the state board of education before i started teaching medicine at University of Utah. I have a rather large Marine recon tattoo over my calf and on my shoulder. I hired an attorney and they put an end to it real quick.
I think 8 O’ clock high needs more people that community can identify with, and not appeasing who lives above harrison either!
Sadly that is the stigma of tattoo’s in society. Secondly it was preexisting to your beginning as faculty.
I would counter sue them for tattoo removal costs.
Today i personally feel that my Tattoo is no longer a part of that identity i had as a young recon veteren back in 93. I also teach children English part time here in Japan and am mindful to keep them hidden.
Your an Icon of what people in Ogden can aspire to be. We need more teachers like you in the public school system.
Mark, You are Bad Ace! I know a lot of people including myself who would fold like a napkin and cover them. It is a shame that tattoos are looked upon on a negative light, but I can not imagine a Mark Johnson with short hair, smooth face, or inkless skin.
After all this time why has it become a issue? Is it because you added a new tattoo? They aren’t asking for the beard and dreads to go too are they?
Thanks guys, I don’t want to villify my school district, they are trying to do what they think is right, and of course I’m doing what I think is right.
I tell my kids to stand up for themselves and to never let people make them feel bad about who they are (they’re in elementary school). It would be hypocritical to act any differently than how I expect them to act. We’ll see how it pans out. I’m not afraid to take it to the next level (getting a lawyer) if it’s necessary. In the mean time, I’m just teaching (in short sleeves).
Stay strong. That’s professional of you to not vilify the school district, as it must be tempting.
ARRRGGGHHHH!!! Not sure what else there is to say. Personally, I’ve found that choking people is quite possibly the greatest stress reliever ever discovered. There’s just nothing like hearing someone go “gllllhhhccqqqrrr!”
I personally think the world would be a better place if there were more people and teachers such as yourself. For what its worth, you have my respect.
Mr. J- I am pretty sure you are the BEST teacher at Ogden High. You were my favorite and taught me so much! Hold strong we all back you up! If you need any students to come back and say what you taught us, just email me!!! -Amy Speechly Call
Mark,
I am OUTRAGED for you!!!! You were my English teacher about 9 years ago, I learned so much from you. I, too was leary going into your class, you didn’t strike me as someone who could teach!!! However, I do remember very vividly you being the only teacher whose lessons I actually understood, you were always more than willing to answer questions or concerns I had on many occasions. I wish you the best possible outcome! Stay strong, those tatoos have meaning I’m sure, they are part of who you are!!!!
[...] a link the teachers blog, have a read for yourself. Part I – The new dress code. Part II – Ogden School District blocking his blog. Part III – Oppression beats [...]
Mr. Johnson,
I was one of your students a few years back, and I have to say, you were one of the greatest I ever had. Your lessons truly stuck with me, as well as with my peers. I still have my free-writing papers I did in your class as warm-up exercises, and some of the essays I wrote for Humanities. I can’t believe your tattoos are an issue after so many years of service! I would definitely be willing to stand up for you against the school board and tell them that teaching has NOTHING to do with physical appearance. None at all.
That’s just dumb. Both my husband and I took your communications classes and they were awesome because of the way you teach. We felt more comfortable because we didn’t feel like you looked down on us. I’ve heard ogden is going crazy with the new principle but she would be a downright idiot to let a teacher like you go.
-Jazzy Albertson and Dustin Kofoed
Dude Mr. Johnson that sucks. Even though you were never my teacher I always thought you were an excellent football coach. I hope everything works out for you.