Teachers are role models for students and the community. Their appearance and how they present themselves can significantly impact their professionalism and credibility. The topic of whether teachers should be allowed to have visible piercings, especially nose piercings, is controversial and often debated.
As a professional piercer, I believe that teachers should be given more freedom to express themselves through piercings, as long as they do so appropriately and tastefully.
Teachers Are Individuals Too
Teachers are individuals with their own styles and forms of self-expression. Piercings are a popular way for people to accessorize and show their individuality. Banning piercings altogether prevents teachers from being their authentic selves. Piercings do not equate to a lack of professionalism or competence. Many proficient and inspiring teachers have piercings.
Piercings Are Not Related to Negative Stereotypes
Some argue that piercings promote negative stereotypes like cultism or satanism. This is an ignorant and arrogant view. Piercings are simply a form of body modification and self-expression. They have nothing to do with a person’s values or beliefs. Such stereotypes should not be used to discriminate against teachers with piercings.
Appropriate and Inappropriate Piercings for Teachers
While teachers should have more freedom to express themselves, some discretion is still needed. Excessive or distracting piercings may be inappropriate for the classroom. As a general rule, piercings should be minimal, tasteful, and not draw focus away from teaching.
- Acceptable piercings: Small nose stud or ring, ear piercings (maximum 3-4 per ear)
- Unacceptable piercings: Septum ring, lip/eyebrow rings, large gauge piercings, excess ear piercings
- Exception: Some schools may allow septum piercings if a retainer is used during teaching hours. This allows teachers to have the piercing without it being visible to students.
| Acceptable | Unacceptable |
|---|---|
| Small nose stud | Septum ring |
| Nose ring | Lip/eyebrow rings |
| Ear piercings (3-4 per ear) | Large gauge piercings |
| Minimal, tasteful jewelry | Excessive piercings |
| Distracting piercings |
Teaching Students Individuality and Acceptance
School policies that discriminate against teachers with piercings teach students the opposite of individuality and acceptance. Students should learn that people can be respected, skilled, and employable regardless of how they choose to express themselves physically. Banning piercings risks promoting an idea that only a certain “look” is professional or socially acceptable.
Is it considered unprofessional to have a nose piercing?
No, nose piercings are not inherently unprofessional for teachers.
While some may perceive piercings as unprofessional or unbecoming of a teacher, that view is outdated and narrow-minded. A teacher’s professionalism should be evaluated based on their:
• Teaching ability, knowledge, and effectiveness.
• Positive attitude, preparation, and work ethic.
• Appropriate communication and interaction with students.
Piercings alone do not make someone unprofessional or a bad teacher.
As long as a teacher remains focused on good practice, helps students learn and grow, and maintains appropriate student-teacher boundaries – a nose ring or nose stud will not undermine their professionalism or effectiveness.
Some teachers do choose to remove piercings for school to adhere to more conservative dress code policies, but that is a personal choice. Piercings are not a barrier to being a professional, effective teacher. One’s professionalism depends on their skills and attitude, not their appearance.
How do you hide a nose piercing from school?
To hide a nose piercing at school, cover it up with makeup, concealer, or tape. Apply foundation, cover-up, or concealer directly to the piercing to mask its appearance. Or use bandage tape on the piercing and then conceal it with makeup. While these techniques may not make it invisible, they can make the piercing much less noticeable.
Makeup and tape are often less conspicuous than the piercing jewelry itself. With practice, covering the piercing quickly can get easier. However, piercings are personal, and shouldn’t have to be hidden if someone doesn’t want to. If school dress code policies are too strict, bringing it up respectfully with administrators could help.
In Summary
Teachers should have the freedom to express themselves through minimal and tasteful piercings. Piercings alone do not reflect a person’s ability, work ethic, or values. Discriminating against teachers with piercings promotes harmful stereotyping and risks teaching students negative lessons about individuality and acceptance. With discretion and common sense, nose piercings and other piercings should be acceptable and not a barrier to professionalism or credibility for teachers. Overall, the most important factor is a teacher’s competence and effectiveness, not their appearance.