Sup Teach?

They say that if you’re planning on making any dramatic changes to your physical appearance, you should probably do it before you meet your kids.

Unfortunately for me, I did not hear that piece of advice until AFTER I had my long, long hair chopped off this past week. I’ve never had my hair shorter than below my armpits. In fact, until my senior year of high school, my hair was so long it grew past my knees! I could sit in it. I could use it as a blanket when I was cold.

So to get a short cut was a big thing for me. But I had to do it.

TWO REASONS:

1. As a teacher, I just COULD NOT muster up the time and extra effort needed to comb/wash/dry my hair as necessary…and that was gross.
2. 7th and 8th graders would mistake me for a student and HIT ON ME every time I wore the school uniform on Fridays (I don’t know about your school/job, but our “casual Fridays” are days when the staff comes in wearing our kids’ school uniform: a collared shirt with our school seal, and khaki pants). I’d had enough of that.

My hair stylist, when he was finished with his masterpiece said, “I normally don’t say this, but you look so much older!”

Just the look I was going for.

P.S. To recap my students’ reactions when they saw me walk in w/ my new ‘do:

[scream] AHHHHHHHHHH!

Oh my god! It’s like your a different person!

Why did you cut off all your beautiful hair?! I’m so sad!

So, next time you’re considering growing a beard, getting a new piercing, or coloring your hair anywhere in the middle of the school year, consider this: Your kids will FREAK out! It’s great It’s been a week, and I stilll hear, “Oh my god!” everytime I walk down the halls.