
I am a teacher/professor too and appreciate your nervousness. Let your head, not your fears guide you. The ridicule you fear is far more likely to be provoked by the toupee than by an honest, cleanly shaved head. Phoniness in any form is fair game; brutal honesty rarely is. Keep in mind, new students have never seen you before; if you walk into class with a confidence borne of being who you really are, even students who knew the old you will respond positively. And then consider the freedom: no maintenance, no ventilation problems, no pretense, no odd looks. Trust me, after a month you'll wonder why you waited. Best, Professor Melon