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Permalink Reply by Lisa on March 17, 2008 at 6:41pm

Hi Laura,
Thanks so much. Your comments mean so much to me. I think it is something that I am going to bring up in an interview only because when you look at me you can tell there is something strange going on there. I still have hair but it is a funky type of hair-do. I love your idea of making myself an asset because I can teach tolerance and self-esteem. I am usually so good at acing interviews but I have never had one when I had alopecia. I will go into the interview just as confident as I always do and show them what I have to offer and that it isn't about my hair, it does not define me at all.
Thanks Laura,
Lisa

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Permalink Reply by Laura Duksta on March 21, 2008 at 9:55am

I'm holding the vision for you of the perfect job in a setting that allows you to be of service and contribution in many different ways!
Keep Shining!
Laura
...thank you for being a teacher! It is such an important job ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Jeremy on March 17, 2008 at 8:24pm

Hi Lisa,
I've been teaching for 8 years at the high school level in Metro Atlanta. I was hired after developing AU and didn't have any problems with the interviews, staff, kids, etc. I can't speak for everyone or everyone's situation, but I can tell you that I was nervous about my interviews. After being hired, I realized that they hired me for who I am, not how I looked. Believe me, we need more teachers, and some of the people I work with....WOW! If they were hiring based on appearance, we would be short staffed!

Jeremy

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Permalink Reply by Lisa on March 18, 2008 at 7:49am

Thanks Jeremy,
I am nervous going into these interviews but it makes me feel better hearing all the words of encouragement from you and the other teachers on this site who have first hand knowledge. Keep your fingers crossed for me!! :)
Lisa

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Permalink Reply by tamgirl on March 29, 2008 at 4:07am

Hi Lisa

I live in the Netherlands and im a teacher on a school for teenagers with learning disabilties. I dont wear a wig and the teenagers taking my bald head good. Collegues dont mind it either.
Two years ago a student got diagnosed with cancer and she walked around with a headscarf or bald.. she said if teach Tam can do it, I can do it too.. its good for teenagers and kids to see that we arent all the average norm and that you can live with disableties, but also with diff looks.
As long as you are open and honest, everything will be ok. They dont see your bald head after a few min but only see the person and the qualities you have to be a great teacher.
Be who you are and dont let people force you to be someone else

Love Tam

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Permalink Reply by JeezLouise on March 29, 2008 at 11:02pm

Hi Lisa,
I'm Louise. I've been teaching for about 9 years now. I have AU, and have been wearing wigs for the past five or six years since my hair fell out. I've taught every grade from gr. 1 to gr. 12, although right now I'm teaching junior high.
I am very open with my students about my hairloss. I realize that even the best wigs can look "wiggy" some days, and where I live, gossip is the main form of entertainment. Basically the first week or so of school, with any new classes, I say "Okay, i know some of you have been wondering, and I hate for false information to be out there so here's the deal - this way if you hear anyone out there saying something that's not true, you can correct them." I lay it out for them very clearly - yes I have a condition called Alopecia which has caused me to lose my hair. No it's not contagious, no it's not a fatal disease, I don't know if my hair will grow back, no I won't take my wig off for you right now because it takes too long to put back on properly, but thanks for asking. I answer any questions they have, and by the end of the day, usually, they don't really seem to care about the whole thing. It helps to have a sense of humour about yourself (for example, we have a "no hats" policy in our school. A kid comes in wearing a hat, and I say "Johnny! You know I'm the only one allowed to wear a hat in this classroom!" - yeah, bad joke, I know, I know).
As for a school not hiring you... I think this might be a bit touchy. They can't legally not hire you because of how you look. However, if they assume that you are undergoing chemotherapy, they might be hesitant to hire someone who may be ill/dying (I can't tell you how many times people have assumed I have cancer!), and like you said, how would you know if that was their reason? If you're wearing wigs, they might never notice (I personally have never brought it up during a job interview, nor has anyone interviewing me), but if you're going the "natural" route, you should definitely talk to whoever you're interviewing with about it. Melissa's idea of what to say was fantastic!
Keep us updated on your job search!

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Permalink Reply by Tony on May 20, 2008 at 6:54am

Lisa,

First let me congratulate you on graduating from school. Married, 2 kids...must have been tough to handle all the responsibilities that go with family and school. You had the strength and courage to get through all of that. That's quite an accomplishment. The world needs teachers...good teachers. You've already proved to yourself that you have what it takes...passion, commitment, drive. Believe in yourself and the rest will follow. The difference you'll make in a person's life is worth everything it takes.

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