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Teaching Is a Tattoo: Own Who You Are as an Educator Enough to Wear It Out Loud
Because teaching is indelibly transformational
We all wear tattoos as teachers. Some are metaphorical, and some are very visible. They are the permanent marks that make up who we are. They’re the scars we earn adventuring. They’re the wrinkles and graying hairs we get from worrying about our students. And, sometimes, they’re literal tattoos. Regardless of how we carry them, our experiences change us—and the students we teach—forever.
This book explores the surprising connections between two sometimes overlooked art forms and the ways both impact identity. Here, tattoos are not only the body art that we all know, they also represent the way that students and teachers permanently weave who they are onto one another through their daily interactions. Award-winning teacher, poet, and author Mike Johnston marshals his own classroom experience, other teacher voices from all over the world, and yes, even his own tattoos, to make a compelling case for educators—tattooed or not—to be their most authentic selves with their students.
Teaching Is a Tattoo is also a beautiful photo gallery of the tattoos that teachers have and the meanings behind them as well as a workbook containing many ready-to-use activities sure to be helpful to teachers, PD facilitators, and administrators. This book shows that identity is one of the most powerful tools educators have, and it helps them explore and embrace their own attributes and to proudly wear them, as one does with their favorite tattoo.
Endorsements
“Teaching and tattoos share so many similarities, not the least of which is that they are both the story of our hearts, the poetry of our flesh. Let this book make its mark on you.”—Dan Tricarico, author, The Zen Creating Focus,Simplicity, and Tranquility in the Classroom
“Teaching is part of who we are and has its own cultural identity, and because Mike lives that, too, he weaves a narrative threaded with empathy and understanding that will make you feel seen.”—Wendi Pillars, author, Visual Quick, Easy Tools for Thinking in Pictures
“Teaching Is a Tattoo isn’t just another education book; it’s a personal and impactful exploration of what it means to be a truly committed educator.”—Ben Cogswell, author, The Eduprotocol Field Guide Primary Edition
“By the final page, you’ll feel a renewed passion for teaching and an invigorated sense of to wear your teaching tattoo with pride and boldness.”—Tisha Richmond, educator, author, consultant, speaker
We all wear tattoos as teachers. Some are metaphorical, and some are very visible. They are the permanent marks that make up who we are. They’re the scars we earn adventuring. They’re the wrinkles and graying hairs we get from worrying about our students. And, sometimes, they’re literal tattoos. Regardless of how we carry them, our experiences change us—and the students we teach—forever.
This book explores the surprising connections between two sometimes overlooked art forms and the ways both impact identity. Here, tattoos are not only the body art that we all know, they also represent the way that students and teachers permanently weave who they are onto one another through their daily interactions. Award-winning teacher, poet, and author Mike Johnston marshals his own classroom experience, other teacher voices from all over the world, and yes, even his own tattoos, to make a compelling case for educators—tattooed or not—to be their most authentic selves with their students.
Teaching Is a Tattoo is also a beautiful photo gallery of the tattoos that teachers have and the meanings behind them as well as a workbook containing many ready-to-use activities sure to be helpful to teachers, PD facilitators, and administrators. This book shows that identity is one of the most powerful tools educators have, and it helps them explore and embrace their own attributes and to proudly wear them, as one does with their favorite tattoo.
Endorsements
“Teaching and tattoos share so many similarities, not the least of which is that they are both the story of our hearts, the poetry of our flesh. Let this book make its mark on you.”—Dan Tricarico, author, The Zen Creating Focus,Simplicity, and Tranquility in the Classroom
“Teaching is part of who we are and has its own cultural identity, and because Mike lives that, too, he weaves a narrative threaded with empathy and understanding that will make you feel seen.”—Wendi Pillars, author, Visual Quick, Easy Tools for Thinking in Pictures
“Teaching Is a Tattoo isn’t just another education book; it’s a personal and impactful exploration of what it means to be a truly committed educator.”—Ben Cogswell, author, The Eduprotocol Field Guide Primary Edition
“By the final page, you’ll feel a renewed passion for teaching and an invigorated sense of to wear your teaching tattoo with pride and boldness.”—Tisha Richmond, educator, author, consultant, speaker
246 pages, Paperback
Published March 11, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 22, 2025
I was interviewed for this and my tattoo and story are featured in the book!
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July 25, 2025This was the reading for one of my professional organization's book club. Some of it was repetitive, but he gave some illustrations and ideas for reflection. This is not the style of education book I would normally pick up, but I appreciated his heart for education.
September 10, 2025
A good summer teacher book club read. Good messages, fun activities I can use with students. Worth the time to read and reflect.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews