Body art reflects negatively for teacher applicants, reports EMU survey

If you think first impressions don't count, think again — especially if you plan to be a teacher. Put artwork on a canvas, not on your body, is part of the message revealed in a recent survey by Eastern Michigan University's Jeffrey Schulz, associate professor in the College of Health and Human Services.

TATTOO TABOO: Tattoos can be a liability for prospective teachers looking to secure a job, especially in physical or health education, according to an EMU survey. Jeffrey Schulz, associate dean and associate professor in the College of Health and Human Services, surveyed recruiters at the annual Teacher Job Fair at EMU's Convocation Center in April 2005.

An overweight applicant who smokes and has tattoo(s) or body piercings (other than the ear) will have a hard time getting a public school teaching position, especially in physical or health education.

Such were the findings of the survey by Schulz.

The "School Administrator's Perception of Employee Health Characteristics" survey examined the extent to which candidates' health-related physical and behavioral characteristics influenced the attitudes, perceptions and hiring practices of school administrators. Schulz distributed questionnaires to recruiters at the Teacher Job Fair at EMU's Convocation Center in April 2005.

"Employers do pay attention to piercings and tattoos. Body art does play a part in the hiring practices," said Schulz, who identified 18-22 years of age as the peak age range that body art is acquired.

The 61-item questionnaire delved into how school administrators who hire teachers are influenced by a candidate's weight, smoking habit and visible body art. Ear piercing by both sexes was not included in the study since it is a commonly acceptable practice, he said.

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