Submitted by teacherman (not verified) on May 1, 2008 - 07:43.
Hi,
I am the technology teacher for a small private nursery-8th school in NJ. I work with the 7th-8th grade daily during lunch/gym and have created a mentoring program for boys.
To me, there is a tremendous need for more MEN in ALL schools. This is specifically in response to the poster above titled "Teacher gender is the wrong question". I completely disagree, IT is ONE of the right questions.
Students need to be taught in an environment that reflects the world they will be entering. Males in a school environment help the students learn to relate with adult men, which they will need to do throughout their lives.
I think this is ESPECIALLY true for the young man in his 11-14th years when strong male role models are very important. Where does a man learn how to be his best? Hopefully at home, but these days many fathers are either too busy or not there at all to nurture their sons. Hence the creation of my male student mentoring program at my school, show them a different choice of what kind of man they could become then what they see on the media.
My Reasons Males don't want to teach:
1. Low Pay BIGGEST thing (I want a house, and family, and yes, I want to be a capable breadwinner. My wife can be too, thats no problem for me, but don't ask me NOT to pull my own weight)
2. Overwhelmingly female "style" working environment, see the poster above who talks about having to bring food etc....(although I don't mind the $ collections, I like to contribute to my community), Not to mention staff meetings that become huge group counseling sessions (yeah, I said it).
3. Feeling on occasion that I have to defend myself for being *GASP* a GUY! Men have a different style in general, which is not always respected or accepted by female peers.
4. Threat of charges of sexual inappropriateness. Thats real, in all school levels, I would NEVER teach in a high school
Also, just wanted to say about the "image" issue of being a male teacher: Women love hearing that you teach children, good god, it must be one of the best pick up lines ever (not that I have ever used it ;) ). All the male teachers I know are VERY aware of this :)
Anyway, I think the first poster summed up what kind of individuals make the best teachers, I just think we can't neglect the role men play in the world, and that they definitely need a greater presence in all learning environments.
Give ALL teachers Better PAY AND Better benefits! TAKE AWAY NCLB! IT's ruining our schools! Return to TRUE teaching! Teach to the individual, make classrooms acceessible for ALL! RESPECT OUR CHILDREN!
Perspective of a current Male middle school teacher
Submitted by teacherman (not verified) on May 1, 2008 - 07:43.
Hi,
I am the technology teacher for a small private nursery-8th school in NJ. I work with the 7th-8th grade daily during lunch/gym and have created a mentoring program for boys.
To me, there is a tremendous need for more MEN in ALL schools. This is specifically in response to the poster above titled "Teacher gender is the wrong question". I completely disagree, IT is ONE of the right questions.
Students need to be taught in an environment that reflects the world they will be entering. Males in a school environment help the students learn to relate with adult men, which they will need to do throughout their lives.
I think this is ESPECIALLY true for the young man in his 11-14th years when strong male role models are very important. Where does a man learn how to be his best? Hopefully at home, but these days many fathers are either too busy or not there at all to nurture their sons. Hence the creation of my male student mentoring program at my school, show them a different choice of what kind of man they could become then what they see on the media.
My Reasons Males don't want to teach:
1. Low Pay BIGGEST thing (I want a house, and family, and yes, I want to be a capable breadwinner. My wife can be too, thats no problem for me, but don't ask me NOT to pull my own weight)
2. Overwhelmingly female "style" working environment, see the poster above who talks about having to bring food etc....(although I don't mind the $ collections, I like to contribute to my community), Not to mention staff meetings that become huge group counseling sessions (yeah, I said it).
3. Feeling on occasion that I have to defend myself for being *GASP* a GUY! Men have a different style in general, which is not always respected or accepted by female peers.
4. Threat of charges of sexual inappropriateness. Thats real, in all school levels, I would NEVER teach in a high school
Also, just wanted to say about the "image" issue of being a male teacher: Women love hearing that you teach children, good god, it must be one of the best pick up lines ever (not that I have ever used it ;) ). All the male teachers I know are VERY aware of this :)
Anyway, I think the first poster summed up what kind of individuals make the best teachers, I just think we can't neglect the role men play in the world, and that they definitely need a greater presence in all learning environments.
Give ALL teachers Better PAY AND Better benefits! TAKE AWAY NCLB! IT's ruining our schools! Return to TRUE teaching! Teach to the individual, make classrooms acceessible for ALL! RESPECT OUR CHILDREN!
Peace.