[Green Giant]

I've got a place on a PGCE Primary course and have just completed a week's extra work experience at an infant school, and doing another couple of weeks at a junior school.

Any other males feel like they're constantly under pressure/suspicion of somehow being a threat to the children? The other day right as the parents were coming to collect their kids I had to take one of our class to the school office as he had banged his neck swinging on his chair. The mother came bursting in looking at me as if you say, 'what the hell have you done to my son?' I know part of it will just be my own paranoia, but I am constantly aware of the space between myself and the children and dread it every time a kid tries to hold my hand or hang on my leg.

I just think there's a group of people who don't appreciate that we get into teaching for the same reason that women do. I've been teased about being a paedophile or gay by friends (not seriously of course) because of the nature of the job.

Obviously, I'm not letting this stop me as I would love to become a teacher and I know that I would be very good at it, but I'm just curious if these kinds of pressures/stereotypes/anxieties are shared by many other male primary teachers on here?

Cheers.

[Ham22]

There are always going to be maniac parents who think any adult (and esp. male) interaction with their child is malevolent unless proven otherwise. I had a woman give me the evils/a suspicious look just for glancing at her children as i walked past once (im female/'innocent' looking so this rarely happens to me). People are paranoid to the point of distraction.

[sam.hunton]

Some people don't trust anyone, I wouldn't worry about them, they are generally unreasonable people in all areas of life.

Personally, there were times when I felt a little uncomfortable at the start of my training, but not anymore.

[Luxray]

(Original post by Green Giant)
I've got a place on a PGCE Primary course and have just completed a week's extra work experience at an infant school, and doing another couple of weeks at a junior school.

Any other males feel like they're constantly under pressure/suspicion of somehow being a threat to the children? The other day right as the parents were coming to collect their kids I had to take one of our class to the school office as he had banged his neck swinging on his chair. The mother came bursting in looking at me as if you say, 'what the hell have you done to my son?' I know part of it will just be my own paranoia, but I am constantly aware of the space between myself and the children and dread it every time a kid tries to hold my hand or hang on my leg.

I just think there's a group of people who don't appreciate that we get into teaching for the same reason that women do. I've been teased about being a paedophile or gay by friends (not seriously of course) because of the nature of the job.

Obviously, I'm not letting this stop me as I would love to become a teacher and I know that I would be very good at it, but I'm just curious if these kinds of pressures/stereotypes/anxieties are shared by many other male primary teachers on here?

Cheers.

I just want to say that I applaud you for becoming a primary school teacher, there definitely needs to be more male teachers in that area and its such a shame that there are parents that are still not comfortable with their children being in a class taught by a male. I do have to admit I think I would want a female teaching my child at reception but only at reception because I think during reception a child is still always looking for that sort of mummy figure.

I can imagine any of those anxieties to be faced my any male teacher, as much as you aren't a pervet, there are lots of parents I bet who wouldnt feel uneasy having their child hugged by a man rather than a woman if the child was crying or receiving praise. Its a shame really. I truely wish you all the best in your career and seriously do praise you for teaching young kids. I was thinking to myself the other day that I think I would lose my mind if I had to teach kids under 10.

[Green Giant]

(Original post by Luxray)
I just want to say that I applaud you for becoming a primary school teacher, there definitely needs to be more male teachers in that area and its such a shame that there are parents that are still not comfortable with their children being in a class taught by a male. I do have to admit I think I would want a female teaching my child at reception but only at reception because I think during reception a child is still always looking for that sort of mummy figure.

I can imagine any of those anxieties to be faced my any male teacher, as much as you aren't a pervet, there are lots of parents I bet who wouldnt feel uneasy having their child hugged by a man rather than a woman if the child was crying or receiving praise. Its a shame really. I truely wish you all the best in your career and seriously do praise you for teaching young kids. I was thinking to myself the other day that I think I would lose my mind if I had to teach kids under 10.

Thanks for the kind words. I think it's just something I'll have to accept. Maybe over time they'll be more accepted by society. In the infant school, I was the only male there apart from the care-taker. Not exactly sending a positive message to the boys, is it?

[Luxray]

(Original post by Green Giant)
Thanks for the kind words. I think it's just something I'll have to accept. Maybe over time they'll be more accepted by society. In the infant school, I was the only male there apart from the care-taker. Not exactly sending a positive message to the boys, is it?

Infant school is year 1 to 3 right?
I think there definitely should be more male teachers throughout primary school, I just personally think in reception a female teacher is more appropriate because the kids are just starting out and may like a slightly mother-like figure. I'm not an educational expert though so my opinion doesnt count for much

[Green Giant]

(Original post by Luxray)
Infant school is year 1 to 3 right?
I think there definitely should be more male teachers throughout primary school, I just personally think in reception a female teacher is more appropriate because the kids are just starting out and may like a slightly mother-like figure. I'm not an educational expert though so my opinion doesnt count for much

Infant school was reception, year 1 and year 2. Personally, the youngest I think I'd be willing to teach is year 2.

I'm surprised more people aren't replying. Lots are reading but not posting

[myblueheaven339]

(Original post by Luxray)
just personally think in reception a female teacher is more appropriate because the kids are just starting out and may like a slightly mother-like figure. I'm not an educational expert though so my opinion doesnt count for much

I disagree, a reception class is mixed so neither gender is more appropriate. I think in a society where many children grow up with one absent patent more needs to be done to make sure that children have positive role models of both genders.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[JustR]

I just wanted to say that I admire you for choosing this career, I think it's really important that young children (especially boys) have an admirable, caring, approachable male figure to look up to, especially nowadays when so many of them don't have this in their home life. Hopefully you can inspire some of the children in your class that this is a rewarding career for both genders and in the future guys in your position won't be in such a minority.

[megan.c]

Have you ever considered that the parent was also cautious as you weren't a teacher you were familiar with? I think perhaps at this point in your career you will unfortunately be met with response like this, but as you advance and gain permanent positions, parents will be far more trusting with you as you're obviously someone who the school has seen fit to employ, especially when they meet you at parents evenings etc.

Wish you all the best with your career and future placements!

[EarthGirl]

(Original post by Green Giant)
I've got a place on a PGCE Primary course and have just completed a week's extra work experience at an infant school, and doing another couple of weeks at a junior school.

Any other males feel like they're constantly under pressure/suspicion of somehow being a threat to the children? The other day right as the parents were coming to collect their kids I had to take one of our class to the school office as he had banged his neck swinging on his chair. The mother came bursting in looking at me as if you say, 'what the hell have you done to my son?' I know part of it will just be my own paranoia, but I am constantly aware of the space between myself and the children and dread it every time a kid tries to hold my hand or hang on my leg.

I just think there's a group of people who don't appreciate that we get into teaching for the same reason that women do. I've been teased about being a paedophile or gay by friends (not seriously of course) because of the nature of the job.

Obviously, I'm not letting this stop me as I would love to become a teacher and I know that I would be very good at it, but I'm just curious if these kinds of pressures/stereotypes/anxieties are shared by many other male primary teachers on here?

Cheers.

It's great that you want to become a primary school teacher, as like many others have said there really needs to be a greater number of role models for boys.

I think some parents would be /more/ suspicious of a male teacher, but many parents-especially those who have sons really like having a male teacher. I wouldn't worry about the incident you mentioned earlier, I think a lot of teachers get unnecessary grief from parents who have no clue about the job.

I'm female, but when I mention I'm interested into going into teaching a lot of people make comments-apparently only those with low grades go into teaching...

[Presenttime]

Obviously people are really stupid. Just go for it and eff all the haters - its a great profession !

[Luxray]

(Original post by myblueheaven339)
I disagree, a reception class is mixed so neither gender is more appropriate. I think in a society where many children grow up with one absent patent more needs to be done to make sure that children have positive role models of both genders.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

Im not on about the gender of the class, rather the age and tendency for children around the ages of 4 and 5 to be more closer to their mother.
I'm not saying we shouldnt have male teachers in primary school, I definitely think there should be some in all years BUT just in reception I feel that a maternal, nurturing figure helps ease into the transition of being in a school & away from home (for most of the children)

[ConnorB]

It total double standards dude.

Any parent who thinks you're a peado/predator needs their head checked.

[userofTSR]

(Original post by Green Giant)
I've got a place on a PGCE Primary course and have just completed a week's extra work experience at an infant school, and doing another couple of weeks at a junior school.

Any other males feel like they're constantly under pressure/suspicion of somehow being a threat to the children? The other day right as the parents were coming to collect their kids I had to take one of our class to the school office as he had banged his neck swinging on his chair. The mother came bursting in looking at me as if you say, 'what the hell have you done to my son?' I know part of it will just be my own paranoia, but I am constantly aware of the space between myself and the children and dread it every time a kid tries to hold my hand or hang on my leg.

I just think there's a group of people who don't appreciate that we get into teaching for the same reason that women do. I've been teased about being a paedophile or gay by friends (not seriously of course) because of the nature of the job.

Obviously, I'm not letting this stop me as I would love to become a teacher and I know that I would be very good at it, but I'm just curious if these kinds of pressures/stereotypes/anxieties are shared by many other male primary teachers on here?

Cheers.

not male and not a teacher but i know what your doing is good. i have two little brothers in primary school, one is going into primary 6 and the other primary 4. they both got a male teacher last year one probationary and one for 6 weeks as a student, both of them were great and my brothers loved it because they were easyer to talk to and the had a different style of teaching.
keep up the goo work

[evantej]

(Original post by Luxray)
Im not on about the gender of the class, rather the age and tendency for children around the ages of 4 and 5 to be more closer to their mother.
I'm not saying we shouldnt have male teachers in primary school, I definitely think there should be some in all years BUT just in reception I feel that a maternal, nurturing figure helps ease into the transition of being in a school & away from home (for most of the children)

What evidence do you have that children transition better into a school environment when they have a female reception teacher? This suggestion rests upon so many questionable assumptions about the role of the reception teacher, the student themselves, and the student's family background.

It seems to me one of those female prejudices in society that we put up with to make women feel more comfortable; another being the ability for women to select the sex of their doctor etc.. It just breeds prejudice and puts men off, in this case, going into primary school teaching.

[Luxray]

(Original post by evantej)
What evidence do you have that children transition better into a school environment when they have a female reception teacher? This suggestion rests upon so many questionable assumptions about the role of the reception teacher, the student themselves, and the student's family background.

It seems to me one of those female prejudices in society that we put up with to make women feel more comfortable; another being the ability for women to select the sex of their doctor etc.. It just breeds prejudice and puts men off, in this case, going into primary school teaching.

I don't really have much evidence, I did mention before that my opinion doesn't count for much because I haven't studied primary school education. Have you?

As much as some social conventions shouldn't exist...they still do and well generally women are seen as being more nurturing/comforting than man. To me it just seems common sense to have a woman teach reception class, I don't say this for the benefit of women feeling comfortable. I say it because I think children would feel more comfortable.

My little brother is soon to start school and I went to a taster day with him, the reception teacher was female and I personally thought my little brother would have found it more difficult to transition if the teacher was a man because like most kids it is the mother who nurtured them more not the father.

Oh and men can select the sex of their doctor as well?

[*Darcie*]

(Original post by Luxray)
I don't really have much evidence, I did mention before that my opinion doesn't count for much because I haven't studied primary school education. Have you?

As much as some social conventions shouldn't exist...they still do and well generally women are seen as being more nurturing/comforting than man. To me it just seems common sense to have a woman teach reception class, I don't say this for the benefit of women feeling comfortable. I say it because I think children would feel more comfortable.

My little brother is soon to start school and I went to a taster day with him, the reception teacher was female and I personally thought my little brother would have found it more difficult to transition if the teacher was a man because like most kids it is the mother who nurtured them more not the father.

Oh and men can select the sex of their doctor as well?

I have worked alongside two male reception teachers and I saw no signs of children feeling 'uncomfortable'. Men can be nurturers too! Your views are old-fashioned and do a disservice to brilliant male early years teachers.

[Luxray]

(Original post by *Darcie*)
I have worked alongside two male reception teachers and I saw no signs of children feeling 'uncomfortable'. Men can be nurturers too! Your views are old-fashioned and do a disservice to brilliant male early years teachers.

I know men can be nurturers..I didn't say they can't.
Perhaps here my views seem old fashioned on this matter but I kid you not when I say I am hardly an old fashioned guy, a lot of my friends think I'm a socially liberal person. I'm not doing anybody a disservice, I am simply expressing my views that I think male teachers are more appropriate for year 1 and onwards.

[*Darcie*]

(Original post by Luxray)
I know men can be nurturers..I didn't say they can't.
Perhaps here my views seem old fashioned on this matter but I kid you not when I say I am hardly an old fashioned guy, a lot of my friends think I'm a socially liberal person. I'm not doing anybody a disservice, I am simply expressing my views that I think male teachers are more appropriate for year 1 and onwards.

Fair enough if you feel that way. As an early years teacher I have a more informed view and can honestly say that I would have no problem with my (future) child being taught by a male Reception teacher.