Forum Activity for @star

Fighting the "good" fight!

Life Issues Facing Dreads

Amen! Honestly though, it makes me sick that teachers can come to school with cleavage, short skirts, extreme obesity, not even teaching a lick...but lil 'o me with my dreads (and tons of training, endorsements, professional development and great classroom reviews...not to mention great student/parent/staff communication and dedication AND my masters) must be too scary. Bata Fats...good luck to your girl w/this struggle...it's def. internal and something to have to live with or change about your life.

Baba Fats said:

Teachers are expected to be very conservative. Parents don't want to send their kids to school if their teacher looks like someone who would have done drugs. Iguaranteeyou that that super strict teacher you had in high school probably got drunk off their ass on the weekends.

There are some exceptions, but in reality, teachers are supposed to be completely impartial, and not impose their views on students. If, by your appearance, you are generating an opinion, or what others might think is your opinion, you'll have a really really hard time finding a teaching job.

Now, is this right? I don't think so. I would have loved it if my teachers had their own opinions. It would have made school more educational, and more interesting. Kids don't have to listen or agree with them, they just have to learn. Seeing someone with a strong stance shows them that they too should have their own opinions. What the system does, now, is just teach kids that they should not think for themselves.

Fighting the "good" fight!

Life Issues Facing Dreads

For sure! Who knew the "land of the free" could have so many restrictions huh?! A lesson worth teaching, but we of course, can't.

Brandy :] said:

that is SOO rediculous! i cant believe teachers have so much restrictions.

Fighting the "good" fight!

Life Issues Facing Dreads

"no wider than a few inches" private schools are given totally different freedoms to follow...something to look

into..makes me nervous to even talk like this...like someone might know elke.in.alaska said:

What do you mean wear your scarf thin?

I'm a teacher in a private school, no one seems to care about my dreads. The kids love them.

Fighting the "good" fight!

Life Issues Facing Dreads

I know...I loved teaching until I realized there are so many games you have to play. No one tells you these things....maybe someday, I'll do something else...it's sad though because I do love what I do! And I could have used a teacher like me growing up

Baba Fats said:

Star, I hear you. My girlfriend is a teach too. We know exactly what you are feeling. We wanted to go to one of the protests in Philly this past fall, but as a teacher she can't express her political views at all, even outside of the school. If she were to get arrested or even detained at a political rally, she could pretty much kiss her job and all those years in school goodbye.

Fighting the "good" fight!

Life Issues Facing Dreads

If they remember they're even there...they probably would. I got tons of compliments before I had to tie them back. The other day, a student said, "Why don't you wear your hair down anymore?" I changed the topic very slyly to avoid saying, "My boss says I can't"...I just can't explain that oppression!

Brandy :] said:

yaaay! dont let em bring ya down (: im sure your kids loove your dreads!

Fighting the "good" fight!

Life Issues Facing Dreads

Thanks guys! I am a teacher and freedom of expression isn't something my district does. or many districts if you truly look into what teachers can say, do, post and be (in public) SE...trust me, I'm pushing the envelope as much as I can while keeping my job

Fighting the "good" fight!

Life Issues Facing Dreads

I shared a couple months past that I was having to fight my boss for my appearance. I'd like to share that I joined the union and now have the right to keep my dreads. It was the longest, sickest few months of my life. I have to keep them up, pulled back, and keep my scarf thin when worn...but I've made it to 6 months and have never been happier! Freedom of expression won this time!

updated by @star: 02/14/15 08:40:57AM

So mad about people being biased.

Life Issues Facing Dreads

Thanks guys. Change...THANKS..my husband and I were talking about how kids can feel like they don't belong or don't fit in, or feel weird because they are different. I hope if at all, that some of them see me as different in a way that they think, "I can be different and successful, while being myself." I thought our country learned its lesson on assimilation!

So mad about people being biased.

Life Issues Facing Dreads

Let me clarify...I actually have a career, I teach. I went to school for 6 years, have my master's degree, attend tons of professional development, run activities after school and work my tail off to make my kids feel respected, loved, cared for while I present engaging differentiated lessons. I know I do great, my boss is uncomfortable about how my presence affects the community...I agree Mary, I think it is totally racist. Myancestorsare Scottish and had dreads...why does me being white make it a topic? thanks all, you are empowering!

So mad about people being biased.

Life Issues Facing Dreads

I got a 'talking to" at the end of my work day about my appearance, which supposedly is "getting worse." Tattoos,piercings, and dreads...oh my! Why do I need to make others comfortable with my appearance? If I do my job well (which I do) then how can my appearance even be a factor? How can women wear clothes that reveal their breasts, and I'm the issue? How can I live with my decision to meet common ground and keep my job, feel like a sell out, and yet still know that others are hating my appearance? I feel so kicked to the ground and I've been going through tears and rage since 3:30 now...SUPPORT needed.

updated by @star: 01/13/15 09:11:16PM