Braces and Teaching

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#16 Post by k8 » Sat Aug 14, 2010 7:10 am

I am a teacher too, although in a management position, and had my braces put on the afternoon school broke up for the summer. I think this was good for me as I felt very self-conscious at first, but now am totally used to them. School resumes on Monday so we'll see how it goes as I have just had my first adjustment! I guess I am more worried about what other teachers and potential parents think. This week I have met a lot of new teachers and some colleagues I worked with last year and all of them were interested in the whole process. I noticed that quite a few covered their mouths when they were talking with me and a number said that they were thinking about getting braces too.

Good luck with your decision.

#17 Post by **Tiffsmile** » Sat Aug 14, 2010 5:44 pm

KimC - Thanks for the words of encouragement - made me feel much better. Did you have metal or ceramic braces? I'm hoping my kids respond to them better than some of the adults I teach with.

itsabouttime - One of our teachers had braces a couple of years ago and all seemed fine. As a matter of fact, over time I completely forgot she had braces because they became so commonplace. When she had them removed, it took me about 2 or 3 days to realize they were gone (and she had the metal!).

#18 Post by **Tiffsmile** » Sat Aug 14, 2010 5:54 pm

K8- I am curious about how parents will react too - my thoughts are half will carry on a conversation like nothing has changed and the other half will turn away, not wanting to stare. I'm already familiar with how my coworkers feel; I had mine put on the day before school was out (kids were gone by then) and met with mixed feelings from many of the teachers I work with. Some commented on how they thought I looked 'good' or 'younger' and others said things like, "Your lip sticks out", "Ewww", or a myriad of other strange comments.

I've decided to embrace my situation and be confident in knowing that this will all be worth it in the long run!

#19 Post by **KimC** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 7:14 am

Tiff, My brackets were Damon 3 which are partially metal and partially clear. I erally liked how they looked. It was obvious I had braces and not like I was trying to hide anythign yet subtle enough that it was not a shocking look.

#20 Post by **Tiffsmile** » Wed Aug 18, 2010 5:30 pm

Kim - I'm sportin' a full metal mouth (very scary!). Most of the kids I'm getting Monday know me from last year when I had no braces - I just hope they can adjust quickly. If not, I could be in for a difficult year!

#21 Post by k8 » Wed Sep 01, 2010 7:22 am

Tiff - Wondering how you've been getting on?

#22 Post by **Lioness** » Thu Sep 02, 2010 12:25 am

I'm a teacher too.

2nd school yr with them in (although I will have them off waaayyyy before the school year ends).

Sometimes rude kids make comments (NOT my students) but for the most part they don't care at all. The students who have braces love the fact that I have them and are extra sympathetic when my teeth ache.

Can't wait to see their faces when these bad boys come off

#23 Post by **Tiffsmile** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 5:32 pm

K8 - I've been so busy, I haven't had the time to reply. I'm about 2 1/2 months into school and all is well. My braces are so commonplace now with the students, it's like I'm not even wearing them. In fact, several of them have made comments like, "I'm getting braces, too!" - almost like it's a private club that everyone wants to join. Some of my students' parents are still freaked out by them, but oddly enough, more of my parents have braces then my students!

Thanks for checking on me......hope your year is going well!

Metal Mouth Message Board

Braces and Teaching

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K8

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