Tagged as a Teacher
Posted by Diane Badden on 28 Dec 2009 | Posted in: Classroom Management, Inspiration and Motivation, Life After School, Teachers and Teaching, The Mailbox Books
Does this happen to you too? A few Saturdays ago, after running errands for several hours, I decided to pick up dinner on my way home. I’m sure I was looking fairly tousled. I don’t remember exactly what I was wearing; however, my usual Saturday attire this time of year is tennis shoes, an oversize sweater, and some comfy pants. Oh, and on weekends I usually keep my contacts in their case and sport my spectacles. Anyway, I was paying for my takeout and making idle conversation with the cashier—a pleasant twenty-something male with a big grin and a few piercings—when he asked, “Are you a teacher?”
Whenever this has happened before, I have confirmed the person’s suspicion and then walked away wondering what it is about me that shouts, “I’m a teacher!” Is it the way I dress? Is it my mannerisms? What is it? This time, I asked.
“What makes you think I’m a teacher?” I inquired with a smile.
“Just a vibe,” the cashier replied.
There was no 
way I was letting that reply stay unexplained! “Good or bad?” I asked.
This is when the cashier flashed his big grin and revealed yet another piercing. “A bit of both,” he clarified. “You know, like you’re someone I could really relate to; but, you know, I think you’d set me straight when I got out of line.”
After that, I didn’t have the heart to tell him he’d miscalculated my change. After all, it was only a dollar short, and I had gotten my answer.
Yes, I’m a teacher!
Diane
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26 Responses to “Tagged as a Teacher”
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More Comments Pages: [1] 2 3 » Show All Comments
That is interesting. There were times when I was tagged as a teacher even while I was in college and not even a teacher yet. I still get that and I am a sub now. I asked a few people why and they say they just had a feeling. I think it’s how one presents oneself.
This is so funny. I’ve been only teaching for four years, so I haven’t had the pleasure to experience being tagged as a teacher. I can’t wait for this happen. I wonder if I look and act like a teacher outside of the classroom…
I have from the time I have been a teenager have gotten stopped by children I don’t even know come up and talk to me special needs children come to me all the time parents come up and say I am sorry they bothered you I always say it was no bother. How do children know you are a teacher. I have a lot of parents ask me to if I am a teacher. Must be something in our smile or how we watch children around us.
I was recently walking into a store when I saw one of my former students. He flashed me a big smile and a wave. A women coming out of the store had seen this happen and asked if I was a teacher. I happily answered “yes” and she said that she could tell by the way the child smiled at me.
I love what I do and couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
Why is it that Day Care “workers”(teachers) are not considered to be “real” teachers? We teach the children just as mutch as anyone else….I just thought i could get a few opinions on this. Thanks
-Tracy
THATS MY USUAL THING THAT MAKES ME UNCOMFORTABLE FOR SOME PLACES ONE NEED TO PAUSE MR. NOTHING- NOT TO BE KNOWN.
HOW CAN I DO FOR ME NOT TO BE TAGGED IN TO MY JOB?
My friend laughed at me at my son’s wedding. She said, “No one but a teacher would wear flat shoes to a wedding.”
I was just recently tagged as a teacher at the airport…I think because I had stickers and a Strawberry Shortcake activity book on top when I opened my luggage! It usually happens to me in places with children, because I naturally interact with them. I don’t mind it, but it does make me wonder what these “obvious signs” are that we seem to exude!
I also get tagged as a teacher and after 17 years I still have to pinch myself! I love to be identified as a person who cares about children, sets high standards and tries really hard to do what is right. I love the challenge in children learning, exploring and being happy and excited at the same time- nothing is more exciting that when that ‘lightbulb’ goes off in a child’s eyes.
Ditto on being tagged as a teacher in stores, resturants, etc. Some say I have “teacher handwriting” ie NEAT??? Also I often get told I use my “teacher voice” (by my own children) when dealing with a difficult situation in a store. Also there has beentimes my husband of 32 yrs tells me not to use my teacher voice/speak when having an argument! (Who me???)
I guess it’s inbred! 
Hahaha! Well, now I know it’s not just me! I am always asking my husband if I have “teacher” written across my forehead. I am sitting on the side of the pool and suddenly there are 6 children gathered around me - children I don’t know wave and smile at me in stores - too funny! I love being a teacher!
Once I was on a train to Chicago with 3 other teachers. We were having fun in the dining car and laughing. The man in charge came over and said, “You ladies are teachers, aren’t you?” We asked how he knew…”I’ve been doing this job for lots of years and I can just tell,” he said. We weren’t sure if that was a compliment or not, so we just laughed some more!