I'm a college freshman and I'm currently working towards a BA in English. I'd love to become a teacher, but I self harmed my freshman and sophomore years of high school, and the scars are still visible. Do you think this would affect someone's decision of whether or not to hire me?
I think you should go for your dream. If being a teacher is in your heart and it is something that will make you happy in the future, you should go for your dream.
This is probably TMI on the internet, but I have a lot of scars from self-destructive behaviors ending about 5 years ago. I have a lot of vertical scarring up my forearm, so it's really obvious what it is, and it's pretty visible... to me.
Honestly, other people don't notice unless they are really looking or if they already know it's there. I don't go out of my way to hide what's on me, either, and it hasn't stopped me from... well... anything. As long as you're not drawing attention to it, nobody will even see it.
I also wanted to add, every interview I've been on, I've had long sleeves and either a skirt with hose or pants on, so you're probably going to be well-covered up until you get hired. But like I said, people likely won't even notice it.
I was in a fire as a child, so I have scars on my arms and legs (no facial scars, except for under my chin). In my case, I told my students what happened when I was in an interim assignment, but only answer questions when asked during subbing assignments. I'm not sure how you could explain this to students, but they will be curious (mine definitely were). I don't believe this has stopped me from being hired as a teacher as I did have an interim assignment.
Continue with your dream to be a teacher if you feel the calling.
Being perfectly honest, I would recommend covering the scars with cream, bracelets, or clothing.
My thoughts too.
Hopefully you are mentally in a better place than back then. If you go into teaching, please be prepared for the stress that comes with the job- I've had to learn a lot of coping and de-stressing strategies to get through the school year and you need a tough armor on to get past the insults from parents, students, and co-workers.
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5th Year Science Teacher to Elementary Kiddos
“The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”
I'm a college freshman and I'm currently working towards a BA in English. I'd love to become a teacher, but I self harmed my freshman and sophomore years of high school, and the scars are still visible. Do you think this would affect someone's decision of whether or not to hire me?
People who don't look perfect get hired all the time. I have congential ptosis (one of my eyes doesn't open fully) and I have beein hired three times. Teachers don't have to be supermodels. If you have an open, friendly and confident personality, people are less likely to notice physical differences anyway.
