Case
Piercings

Mrs. Gala is a high school teacher with 22 years at the same school. She has her nose pierced and although the piercing is discrete it is still noticeable. School policy is against facial jewelry for students, but does not have the same rule for faculty. Several students have argued that the rule is unjust because teachers are suppose to be role models. What course of action should take place if any?

Posted on: 02/22/15 | Views: 1574
Solution #1
Top Solution
Wearing facial piercings does not constitute a teacher as being a bad role model. An important rule we are always teaching children/students is to judge people for the content of their character and not by the way they look. With all of this said, if there is no rule against it then there is no action to take except for possibly changing the rule for teachers or for changing the rule for the students. Either way, teachers should keep in mind that they have a responsibility to teach students the proper way of taking action if they want to make changes in "the law." This could be a great civics lesson for high school students.

I think this is an amazing suggestion, there is no rule against the teacher having the piercing, plus she is an adult.

She is adult and knows whats right and wrong. I do not believe that having this makes her a bad role model.

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Solution #2
I do not think that a teacher should have a nose piercing if students are not allowed. This is not being a good role model for students to follow. If the students do not like the rule and feel that it is unjust then they should set up a petition asking for the rule to be changed and take it to the principal's office. However, if the rule states that the teacher can wear it, then there is no current action that can be taken with her except to try to get the rule changed.

Well students and adults are different. I wouldn't say that because students cant teachers cant. Teachers are adults and hopefully they should be allow to do way more than students.

Excellent suggestion!

I disagree with your first sentence. I do not believe having it makes her a bad role model.

piercings define a person's style. It is however, unprofessional.

The teacher's nose piercing does not make them a bad role model or any less of a teacher. The rules were put into place for the students, not the teacher. The teacher is obviously above the age 18 and can make their own decisions, which in this case was to get a nose piercing. When the students are above 18 and out of school, they may do as they please as well. This goes with the saying "Welcome to the real world".

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Solution #3
I believe that the piercing should not be taken out. We are taught at an early age not to be judgmental especially at this day in age. However, I think the students should not be allowed to wear piercings because they need to learn that there are rules and regulations in life that they aren't going to like or isn't going to be fair. Mrs. Gala is an adult and has already gone through schooling. I think the piercing is said to be discrete and small enough that it isn't a distraction to anyone.
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Solution #4
The teacher should talk to her boss and see what they think to be the best solution. I think they should talk to the students and let them know that the faculty is not held to the exact same standards as the students.
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Solution #5
I don't believe that any action should be taken place. The teacher may want to consider removing the jewelry during school hours to simply avoid this becoming something bigger. Rules are rules and sometimes they are not always fair, but the teacher is also an adult. So, if I were the teacher, I would just take it out during school hours.
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Solution #6
The students are old enough to understand that an adult can make their own decisions with piercing their body. If it is a discrete nose ring, then I believe it is appropriate for the teacher to wear it. Students shouldn't be taught that body jewelry is a bad thing, they just need to understand that it is not appropriate for younger people, for example even high school students.
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Solution #7
If there is no rule for the faculty, then she should be fine. Teachers are adults and the students are not (unless they are 18-in which case, they should petition a rule change). I think the main issue with this is that teachers are role models, and just because she has a piercing does not make her a terrible person. In fact, she may be changing several students' mindsets because she does have a piercing. For instance, a "punk-rocker" type student with a lack of respect for authority may change her mind after being in this teachers class. It also reflects a diverse population of teachers and breaks away from the not-so great stereotype that has been created for us.
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Solution #8
I'm personally note a fan of it; however, I have a tattoo on my foot that students see every day. I see no differences in the two. Teachers at my school have both and it is acceptable. Teachers are role models but we also have a life outside of school. There is no more denim dresses and hair in a bun days for us. We should be able to express ourselves. Also, I do believe students should be allow to have facial jewelry if they want it. It is their body and if under the age of 18, a parent must consent.
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Solution #9
Piercings do not make the professional. They have a bias amongst some adults, but I think it is important that students see teachers being expressive & individuals within the workplace. That being said, if the school prefers a gaping hole in the nose or awkward plastic plugs rather than cute jewelry, that is their loss.

I agree with you Rose (name based on image), and I also think that students should be allowed to express themselves in the same way. The teacher did nothing wrong, and if they want to change the rule maybe they should talk about having a petition through the school board to get it removed.

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Solution #10
There are many ways to view piercings and tattoos. In our current society, it is not uncommon for teenagers to have facial piercings or tattoos. If there is no violation of a rule, the teacher is not at fault. Piercings do not make the teacher a bad role model. As it does seem to cause a distraction, the teacher can remove the current nose ring and put a clear one in place that is not as visible. This may lessen the distraction to the students.
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Solution #11
I do not feel action needs to be taken. Students need to learn that not everything is fair and there are things that as students, they need to accept. What is right for one is not right for all. I do not feel any action needs to be taken.
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Solution #12
If there is no rule regarding facial piercings for students, then a course of action does not have to take place. That being said, the teacher is taking a position that contradicts many characteristics a good, and genuinely caring teacher should possess. Perhaps the students or parents could petition to have the rules changed.
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Solution #13
There are some nose piercings earrings that can be clear or can be hidden depending on where the piercing on the nose is located. I would try and respect what the students are saying about the situation but would want to keep my way of expressing myself with the piercing.
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Solution #14
I think the teacher should be as discreet as possible and be certain not to wear any jewelry that is too noticeable, however I don't think she should be held to the same standards as the students. Rules for adults and rules for students are not the same.
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Solution #15
I do agree that teachers are suppose to be role models, however, I feel that it is unprofessional to wear it. I would suggest taking it in and out before school starts and finishes. I also feel that a nose piercing shouldn't be a big deal, but if you are working with little kids, they do question EVERYTHING. To avoid those conversations, I think that taking it out would be a smart idea.

Excellent suggestion!

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Solution #16
I believe the students are right that it is unjust for her, a teacher and role model, to have the piercings if the school policy is against it. As much as I would hate to do this, the school administrator needs to have a conference with this teacher and explain the rule. The teacher needs to remove the piercings.
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Solution #17
I would just suggest that Mrs. Gala take out her piercing during school hours that way it's not made out to be a big deal.

Excellent suggestion!

I am pretty sure they sell those clear plug-ins, so I agree if they she needed to take it out and use a clear one for the school hours.

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Solution #18
I believe that there is hardly any course of action that can be taken about this subject. One might consider trying to get the rule changed so that teachers would not be allowed to have facial piercings, but that would hardly be conducive to a solution. Instead, one might advocate to allow students the same right to express themselves externally that teachers' have. Some might say that people judge based on appearance, but that is also an outdated practice that should fade out of existence. Instead, we should judge based on character alone. Our students should learn that there is more to a person than what appearance alone shows, and this may be the perfect first step.
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Solution #19
Personally I have tattoos and piercings and I love them but if you are going to have rules they have to apply to everyone. I would maybe try to get the rules change to be more detailed because I don't think most piercings are bad but some can be a distraction. I would see if the rules can be changed to specify a certain size and placement if in certain areas like the nose
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Solution #20
I think that a good solution would be to try and talk with the principle about a petition. If Mrs. Gala wants to make it fair for all, I think they should try to change the rule for students. It would be awesome for a civics teacher, and that way the students would feel like their voices were being heard. With that being said, some schools do not permit this kind of change in rules. Just see what options are best, for I think all the students and teachers should be able to express themselves how they want. Note: I am a teacher with a small nose piercing, a tongue piercing, and tattoos that are easily covered up.
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Solution #21
The students need to follow the rules set in their place and same for teachers, the teacher is an adult and can make her own decision and so can the students once they graduate. It is not the teachers place to alter their appearance just to appease a few students.
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Solution #22
I believe that the piercing should not be taken out. We are taught at an early age not to be judgmental especially at this day in age. However, I think the students should not be allowed to wear piercings because they need to learn that there are rules and regulations in life that they aren't going to like or isn't going to be fair. Mrs. Gala is an adult and has already gone through schooling. I think the piercing is said to be discrete and small enough that it isn't a distraction to anyone.
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