Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tallgirl on April 25, 2011 at 5:34pm

I am a teacher. I say, know your audience. Make sure you don't say or show more than you want to among teachers in the staff room, other aids, or students. Sometimes, it can backfire and promote taunts about alopecia and wigs.

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Permalink Reply by vellyvel on April 25, 2011 at 5:52pm

Thankyou for ur quick reply wat age group do i work with and if u dont mond saying hve u had any problems where u work please add me thanks xx

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Permalink Reply by Tallgirl on April 25, 2011 at 6:04pm

Right now I am laid off, but I taught 7-9th grades. At one school, a vice-principal told me to show the students my bald head. I did lift my wig once, and the rest of the year was terrible. The students teased, wrote bad notes and cartoons, threw eggs at my property and mayonnaise on my windshield of the car (one boy lived on my street), and yelled, Wig! Wig!" even when I walked out of my house. I cried every day, and my AT went to AU by June. One girl threw blue clay balls at my beautiful, long wig, and the boys were always plotting to snatch off my wig, so I never got up close to or turned away from the class. I hid behind the podium at that school.

Actually, the emotionally disturbed special education students in other school districts, at group home schools, were supportive, interested in alopecia details, and supportive of me when a new student would get nosy. So, I just switched to teaching special education (mild/moderate, emotionally disturbed), where there are therapists on hand to deal with the boys if they get rude! I also get the most natural, jazzy wig I can, and I no longer take it off at schools.

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Permalink Reply by Danielle on April 25, 2011 at 11:07pm

Congrats on all of your work and your future ambition! I just finished my student teaching at the high school level. I also have lots of experience with elementary kids and they are all great :) I haven't had any issues with alopecia in regards to my students. If they know I wear a wig, they don't say anything. I have only had one coworker ask me why I don't have eyelashes and only one elementary student ask why I draw on my eye brows and then advise me to get them tattooed. I would say handle those situations the way you feel comfortable doing. I have always had a policy of don't tell unless asked. Maybe that will change, when I get over this acne stage ha ha. I am also of the opinion if you work with your students in a caring and respectful fashion they will treat you the same way. You are never required to share more than you feel comfortable doing so by continuing your work and education you can determine what will work for you.
:) Best of luck!

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Permalink Reply by vellyvel on April 26, 2011 at 2:12am

Thanks u too both of u sorry tallgirl that u had to go thru that i get some torment off younger pupils that u dont teach in yr 10 and 11 but other than that my groups r fine thanku for sharing ur experience hugs to u xxxxxx
And danielle thanks for ur reply it is very helpful to by the sounds most of u live in america. i live in england and i think the education system mite be slightly different thanks to both xxxxxxxxx

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Permalink Reply by steph on April 26, 2011 at 5:49am

Hi
Be strong - I am new to AA, but have been in education for some time as a teacher and now as a leader. Because I am new to it all, its been a bit of a personal struggle about how I will be dealing with this issue - so for me, I wont be hiding from it, and if someone asks, I feel I have a responsibility to be a good role model and be honest about things. However, it does not mean I have to advertise the fact. My public 'face' will be to be strong, honest when required and to carry on with my life. It is nothing to be ashamed about. Privately, it worries me and I will handle each day as needed.

It appalls me to hear the story above Tallgirl, re the rude and obnoxious students you dealt with. Most appalling is the lack of maturity and professionalism from your co workers and lack of support from your leaders. Hardly what I would expect from someone in education and on your behalf I am professionally cross! As educators they should know better, otherwise they do not deserve to be working with students and I think they should find new jobs. Teachers should not be ignorant twits.

Velvet - if you are passionate about making a difference re working with students, then I think you should go for it. Our kids deserve good role models who they can look up to, who will make a difference. Its a privilege to be an educator - its an opportunity to shape a better future.

I think you should share if you find that appropriate or not share if that is most appropriate. After all, its your business, and no different to other ailments. It wont impact on how well you do your job. Its not like you have to advertise it on your cv! (and I suspect you are right re the UK system - more like the kiwi one)

So, to summarize, go forth and teach if that is your passion - the response you get from kids all harks back to the kind of relationships you form with them. And if the reaction is one of ignorance and rudeness, then you are in the most perfect of places to re enlighten them and in the process help them learn a valuable lesson in empathy and understanding.

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Permalink Reply by vellyvel on April 26, 2011 at 1:27pm

Thanks steph i just had an interview today for a level 3 diploma course in education and childcare i get to start the course in september an really excited i can't wait xx

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Permalink Reply by steph on April 27, 2011 at 1:56am

thats awesome - good luck with that. I am sure the kids you work with will be all the more enriched because of who you are and what you bring to the profession.

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Permalink Reply by Amy on April 26, 2011 at 2:36pm

I teach elementary grades and have no issues at all. My students don't know, but some of the older ask why my hair is the same everyday and some of my grade 2's have asked why my hair never grows. I am open with the staff at the school and have never experienced any negativity from any of my current staff members. On PD days I often just wear a hat or tuque if I don't feel like wearing a wig.

When my hair first started falling out (my 1st year of teaching), I was at a different school and there were some hurtful things said. It just showed me how shallow some people can be.

It really depends on how comfortable you are with your situation and how comfortable you are with those you work with. Don't let it hold you back, but open up to people when you feel comfortable. Don't think you need to announce it on your first day.

I have epilepsy and I tell a few people about that, just in case something happens. I also practice an emergency drill with my class once a month so they know what to do if I ever had a seizure. They don't know I have epilepsy, but I explain to them that sometimes things can happen, even to adults, and they should be prepared. It makes the little kids so happy that I feel they are responsible enough to handle a situation like that.

Just adapt and learn as you go. You'll know what to do and how to handle situations as they come.

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Permalink Reply by Tallgirl on April 27, 2011 at 10:04pm

Once, just after I found out my contract wouldn't be renewed, I took off my hat (no wig on) ON PURPOSE at a staff meeting, just to MAKE them have to look at me! I just didn't care anymore.

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Permalink Reply by vellyvel on April 26, 2011 at 2:44pm

Thanks amy wats a pd day by the way i live in england so am not to sure please add me as it wont let me add any1 On my phone and the internet is down on my comp atm as if u dont mind i will message u if i ever have anu questions thanks xx

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Permalink Reply by vellyvel on April 26, 2011 at 2:47pm

Thanks amy wats a pd day by the way i live in england so am not to sure please add me as it wont let me add any1 On my phone and the internet is down on my comp atm as if u dont mind i will message u if i ever have anu questions thanks xx

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