However, over the past few decades, that number has been slowly but steadily declining.Today, about 60 percent of teachers are women and 40 percent are men. Read about NAEYC's DAP framework for high quality education. Next, we completed interviews with 16 male early childhood educators who represented a cross section of our questionnaire participants. Some say that male teachers are more likely to be stricter while female teachers are more nurturing. While the job is an attractive career choice for men, getting more of them to become teachers may require a change in how society and culture depict educators. And more decisively, I think Douglass and Ida B. The vast majority of elementary school teachers (96 percent) work in public schools. And while men are gradually becoming more represented in elementary and secondary schools, they still make up a minority of educators at these levels. 0000003773 00000 n The goal of our two-year study was to understand the conditions that support or constrain male early childhood educators. 0 0000014186 00000 n While there are many benefits to having a diverse teaching staff, there are some unique benefits that male teachers can bring to the table.One benefit of having male teachers is that they can provide a different perspective for students. That seems to be factually true. But the proportion of male educators in the sector has remained below 1 per cent for the past three years. The debate about the desirability or otherwise of recruiting more men to early childhood education comprises at least three key clusters of arguments centering on presumed benefits for society, for the early childhood profession and for children themselves. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. Drudy, S. 2008. The teaching profession is expected to grow 4% or more in the next decade at all teaching levels. Writing in EdSource, California teacher Josh Brown said he uses sports to connect with his male students. The call for more male primary-school teachers has long been associated with the educational needs of boys, the importance of positive male role models in schools and the disproportionate number of male and female primary-school teachers internationally. Male Teachers Share Advice for Getting More Men Into the Profession To learn more about how this support group functioned for the male educators, we conducted a focus group with the participants. On a more progressive note, some of our findings show support for male teachers who can show children caring and non-violent ways of being a man. According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for male elementary school teachers is $58,760 per year. Celebrate young children and their families with hands-on activities encouraging movement and healthy lifestyles through music, food, and art. Marian University accepts masters applicants with any bachelors degree. Male teachers can also offer a different perspective on the world, which can be valuable for all students. In our analysis of the interview data, we learned that many of our participants felt isolated and would benefit from joining with other male educators to discuss the particular circumstances of their work as male educators. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Their unique lived experiences create a rich curriculum that contributes to student success in ways that can't be graded or easily quantified. Research has also shown social benefits for elementary school students who experience a male teacher. . . Some colleagues and families offer affirmation and support, while others treat male early childhood educators with curiosity or suspicion. The Perils of Being a Male Teacher at an All-Girls School Male teachers can offer a different perspective on issues and topics than their female counterparts. While the overwhelming majority of U.S. teachers are white, the proportion of minority teachers has grown from 13 percent in 1987-88 to 18 percent in 2011-12, according to a 2016 report from the U.S. Department of Education. Javier knows he is fortunatemany male early childhood educators are the only ones working at their sites, but Javier is one of several on the staff at his small public elementary school. It's a 216-page document - I've got it open on my screen here - including the sentence that has drawn so much attention from Vice President Harris and others, the one about slaves learning skills. Access accreditation data on early learning and higher education program characteristics and quality for research purposes. 0000022864 00000 n Fast Facts: Teacher characteristics and trends (28) And they celebrated the accomplishments of those post-slavery who had demonstrated their capacities and their skills. Specifically, at the elementary instructional level, the number of teachers was 9 percent higher in 2020 . 14.8% in un-affiliated . They reported an expectation that male teachers should display traditional masculine traits, and be sportsmen and disciplinarians. There's usually just the women'.". In the opening vignette, Javier similarly expressed satisfaction in being able to serve as a consistent and nurturing presence in the lives of young children, especially for young children whose primary early attachments are with women. <<>> Boys: What It Means to Become a Man. Boys do better when they are taught by men, study finds This is a positive trend because male role models are important for young children. Florida Board of Education approves new Black history standards that 0000023592 00000 n Another reason is that elementary schools are generally located in close proximity to homes and families, making them attractive to women who want to balance work and family responsibilities. The people who put together the Florida standards include William Allen, who is a professor emeritus of political science at Michigan State University, and he is on the line. Find research-based resources, tips and ideas for familiesfrom child development to reading, writing, music, math, and more! endobj . While many participants find it highly gratifying to serve as a positive example, Javiers story in the opening vignette highlights a tension that many male early childhood educators feel. Here, young childrens observations of men as caring are particularly limited. In recent years, the number of male teachers in elementary education has been on the decline. Many states also require teachers to complete a teacher preparation program and pass a state-specific certification exam. In the final section of this article, we describe our recommendations for replicating this model. Jean-Yves Plaisir, EdD, is full professor at BMCC. In South Africa, research focusing on male teachers has emerged alongside recent calls to increase the involvement of men in the lives of young children. 1936 0 obj ALLEN: This is a volunteer effort. 2019. Okay'. Aina, O.E., & A.C. Petronella. <>stream Professor, thanks. . Second, teaching is no longer seen as an exclusively female occupation; it is now considered a viable career option for men as well. Contact us with your questions-- we're here to help! This sense of "otherness" and common perceptions of ECEC as simple care work may contribute to low levels of male participation in the ECEC workforce worldwide; however, this situation could changewith greater awareness of the professional challenges inherent in this work, and with greater exposure by staff and parents to male educators. "}]gcT6E90+HDA}^B+&@FI-O/p+n5i~b8JzW$4iEf&MyLJU:R,x0 Rh5Rs^1W*3C&y.( The importance of a diverse teaching force | Brookings One male special educator recalled that a mother told him, Use the male figure voice, because his grandpa, my father, does that to him and he listens. Other participants in our study echoed this sentiment, explaining that colleagues, families, and administrators expect that their presence will bring order and discipline to the classroom. Parsons, J., & K. Ridley. Support access to high-quality early childhood education programs and opportunities and resources for educators. Were you entirely comfortable working for the state of Florida? However, the majority of early childhood sites we initially contacted did not employ any male educators. It says, quote, "Instruction includes how slaves developed skills, which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit." A diverse workforce can enhance decision-making processes and drive positive outcomes, according to AARE, because people from different backgrounds see challenges in different ways. One reason is that teaching has historically been a female-dominated profession. So I take on the role of a father. 1938 0 obj They also bring new ideas and fresh perspectives to the table, which can benefit all students regardless of gender. Find a sponsorship opportunity thats right for you and help support early childhood educators, parents, and other professionals. Are they welcomed? . Five Conservative-run councils fail in their legal action against London Mayor Sadiq Khan's ultra-low emission zone scheme; Jeremy Hunt faces questions at the Infected Blood Inquiry. For the most disadvantaged Black males, Lindsay and the team estimated that exposure to a Black teacher in elementary school reduced high school dropout rates by 39% and raised college-going aspirations. A diverse workforce also can improve job satisfaction. %PDF-1.7 % Benefits of Male Teachers . People had different skills and used them in different ways and sometimes were able to make money for themselves while enslaved. As such, there are many opportunities for men in education. Additionally, while our sample was small, we found that compared with their White and Asian American peers, far fewer African American and Latino male educators held the positions of lead teacher or coteacher; on average, they also had lower levels of educational attainment. Z1%x[H,Pxv $1SH84V2 qGG Boys will perform better in education if they have a male teacher in their primary school, according to research published today. We embarked on this research to learn more about the circumstances that impact recruitment and retention, including how professional development and mentoring experiences can support the growth of these educators practice. As young children grow, they need to know that people of all genders have an important role to play in their care and education. For example, early childhood education and special education are both fields where women make up a majority of the workforce. The context was, what should schoolchildren be asked to learn when a standalone strand of curriculum standards is, for the first time, initiated in the state of Florida? This can foster a sense of belonging and reduce instances of disruptive behavior. 2012. However, recent data shows that while there is ample opportunity for male teachers, theres still a shortage in supply. Battling stigma and distrust, male pre-school teachers find joy - CNA I see what Frederick Douglass meant when he described his slave mistress teaching him to read only at the beginning because his owner put a stop to it. One area that is often overlooked is the importance of having male teachers in the classroom. Become a leader in your professional association. Ill give you a hug to show what it means that I can be both sides, that any male can be both sides. 0000002701 00000 n The best-known study on how a teacher's gender matters, published in 2006 by Thomas Dee of Stanford University, found that middle-school boys learn more from men and middle-school girls learn more . 1964 0 obj This is especially true for boys from disadvantaged backgrounds. Thus, male educators feel that they must walk a fine line, expected to deploy their masculinity as a tool of control while also providing a caring model of attachment. Knowing the context in which your work was going to be seen and also used - I mean, teachers in - under that law are going to interpret these standards and decide what to teach. Why we need more male primary school teachers -- ScienceDaily Available international data indicates that men represent only 3% of the early education and care (ECEC) workforce in Australia, and up to 9% of the workforce in developed economies. One participant explained that many of the children in his program, come from a socioeconomic background where the father is not present in many homes. In the early 1900s, more than 80 percent of teachers were female. Professor Gender and Childhood Sexuality, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Affiliated Researcher, Alumnus, Macquarie University, Associate Professor in Educational Psychology, Macquarie University, Post-doctoral research fellow, University of KwaZulu-Natal. Mindi Reich-Shapiro, PhD, is assistant professor of early childhood education at BMCC. . 0000008735 00000 n Furthermore, educators in our study suggest that by simply by being different from the normal carer, men contribute to a changed dynamic that allows children to have a more diverse learning experience. To create a detailed picture of their experiences, we collected data in various forms, including from a questionnaire, interviews, and focus groups. Learn about the collaborative initiative to advance a unified early childhood education profession. Because each site included only one male educator, he saw the need to create a structure that would allow them to collectively process some of the particular issues they faced as male educators. So Im really happy . And I know because I've worked with a few outstanding teachers in mentoring relationship in Florida, and they understand that the standards give them the opportunity to teach. Cherng, H.S., & P.F. Many male teachers share similar interests with their male students, which serve as a great conduit for meaningful connection. Search an ECE degree directory, explore professional standards, and join our community of practice. 1 Overall, the number of public school teachers in 2020-21 was 11 percent higher than in 2011-12 (3.4 million). But the allegation here is that you were trying to make slavery seem nice, like a job training program. But to protect yourself, just make sure if somebody needs to use the bathroom or needs changing to call somebody for help, or make sure that somebodys there with you. Today, male teachers make up about 15% of the elementary education workforce in the United States. The teacher pay gap is wider than ever - Economic Policy Institute 0000007590 00000 n Many of the administrators we interviewed made a specific effort to hire and mentor male educators because they saw the great value of a gender-balanced workforce at their sites. Becoming a male teacher not only provides them with a rewarding career path, but it also contributes to improvements for schools and students. Enhance your career and improve your knowledge, skills, and practices with our in-person and online training. Full article: Gender in initial teacher education: entry patterns This is a fact that will always win the most votes in any debate but the profession itself has some negative stigma surrounding it. Yet, in the context of an early childhood classroom, many male educators are equally aware that their presence can be experienced as intimidating. 1939 0 obj Others say that its simply because fewer men are interested in teaching at the elementary level. Why Black male teachers matter | American Federation of Teachers Same-sex education has been linked to higher standard achievement scores, increased student interest in taking more advanced courses, and a higher likelihood of graduating from high school. The women working in a centre with a male educator were proud to have a man in their centre, describing their centre as "fortunate" and "lucky" and described the male educator as "our guy" and "one of us". <> Berkeley, CA: Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, University of California at Berkeley. In doing so, we came to better understand why men might avoid this work, but also the reasons why schools should include both female and male teachers. trailer endobj Our research found that there were conflicting accounts of mens roles. Teachers of both genders come with varying viewpoints and experiences they can share with students. In 2016, 21.5% of elementary and middle school teachers were male, and still only 2.5% of preschool and kindergarten teachers were male (BLS, 2016). During the course of our outreach to identify research participants, we learned that one male administrator (the fourth author) working at a multisite agency had convened semiregular meetings of a cohort of male early childhood educators. Discoverthe latest research and best practices, and engage with our diverse community of professionals! When young children do not experience a comparable range of models of masculinity, their view of what it means to be a boy or a man may be monolithic or incomplete (Giese 2018). This is a significant increase from previous years, when men made up just 10 percent of elementary school teachers. INSKEEP: Let's drill down in the specific sentence that's gotten all the attention. The benefits advantage of teachers has not been enough to offset the growing wage penalty. Introduction. Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey. https://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat11.htm. But he noted that male teachers need a more positive depiction in society. In this way, male teachers were seen as socially acceptable when their behaviour conformed with pre-existing ideas of men: reproducing the dominant notions of masculine power that position men as being more suitable for management positions. As much as young men look up to sports figures, a strong male role model in the front of the classroom can positively influence the emotional development of his students, especially boys. The importance of male teachers - Today's Parent In our most recent research, we explored how masculinity is constructed and perceived by female and male teachers in the early years of schooling. Male teachers in early childhood education: issues and case study Learn about their programs at https://nycmenteach.org. It's well-documented that diversity enhances creativity, promotes innovation and can even change the that way kids think. The trend seems to be driven largely by male teachers entering the field of early childhood education. Toxic Masculinity Is Bad for Everyone: Why Teachers Must Disrupt Gender Norms Every Day. Teaching Tolerance. Teaching young children, however, requires a balance of stereotypically feminine and masculine traits: the teacher must be caring, yet authoritative, a listener, and a leader. The male educators we interviewed were best able to thrive when they worked for administrators who were sensitive to the particular pressures they face. ALLEN: I want to note the context, which maybe is why so many people have felt uncomfortable here. What is their contribution to children and families? In the 2017-18 school year, there were 3.3 million full-time and part-time traditional public school teachers, 205,600 public charter school teachers, and 509,200 private school teachers. Students need a diverse teaching experience. After each meeting, the administrator distributed notes from the session, which helped participants to continue to reflect on their work together. The teaching profession is expected to grow 4% or more in the next decade at all teaching levels. 0000003501 00000 n That's not a statement that is at all controversial. As the meetings continued, the administrator facilitated the sessions to enable the male educators to talk through what he called dilemmas of practice. Participants shared and generated strategies for dealing with issues such as what to do when children want to sit on the teachers lap; how to respond to a parent who does not recognize a male educator as the teacher; and how to manage the expectation that male educators will do physical labor (e.g., moving boxes) that takes them out of the classroom. But nationally only seven percent of teachers are Black, and only two percent are Black men . One important way this can be done is by including both male and female teachers. . Students learn how to become teachers through intensive classroom experiences in their hometown. 281 By Claire Cain Miller Sept. 10, 2018 Zara Gibbon helps a. <>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text]>>/Rotate 0/Type/Page>> So why the shift? People from different backgrounds may see the same problem in different ways, leading to innovative solutions. I feel like I have to be more careful. All rights reserved. Despite the obstacles, many of the men in our study described the great sense of pride and power that comes from contributing to this important field. And I'm certainly perfectly content that I had the opportunity to contribute to that. I notice how you did this. Men can give you advice or can be encouraging or nurturing and give you, like, a hug. You know, a side hug." According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (2019), fewer than 3 percent of preschool and kindergarten teachers are menand this figure has not changed substantially in recent decades (US Bureau of Labor Statistics 1995). 0000004510 00000 n Yet when asked why more men do not enter the field, one participant explained, A lot of these guys now dont want to teach because of all the bad things that are happening. The rise in male elementary school teachers is part of a larger trend of men entering the field of education. Consequently, men who teach young children may have their masculinity questioned or scrutinised, and not be seen as real men. The cohort began by establishing healthy norms for their discussions (see Establishing a Support Group on this page). 0000028813 00000 n startxref Donate to help NAEYC advance a strong and dynamic early childhood profession and connect educators to cutting-edge resources.
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