What is your opinion of male teaching assistants

[BobbyJones28]

I am a male teaching assistant in a primary school and I have signed up here to see opinions of this..

I have a friend (close-ish) that make jokes about it being an odd job for a guy so AIBU to keep getting fed up of it now!!!

What is other peoples opinions Male Teaching Assistants ??

[hoobypickypicky]

That they are human beings who assist in the teaching of children and young people.

Other than that I have no opinion on what you are (although I might have one on how well you do what you do).

I do have an opinion on your friend. They're a bit of a prat really, aren't they?

[PandaG]

don't care about the gender of the TA as long as they do a good job! Think your friend is unbelieveably rude, not surprised you are getting fed up with it.

I would like to see more men in primary education, not just as heads or the caretaker (as was the case with my local infants until very recently), so am glad to see men in any aspect of teaching. Think it is good for children of either gender to have male role models too

[Idontseeanyicegiants]

Not a problem for me, I think that there is a sad lack of male teachers/TA's at primary level to be honest.

[hoobypickypicky]

• To clarify, I may have an opinion on how well you do what you do based on your ability, not on your lack of boobs or on what's in your trousers!

[NotYouNaanBread]

Very positive. I like the idea of children getting an equal impression of both sexes as teachers and authority figures (perhaps especially valid in areas with a particularly high number of single parent households and an absence of a father at home?) but also just generally. There don't seem to be many male primary school teachers/TA's, and I think that's a pity.

[KirjavaTheCat]

"Oh look, a teaching assistant. That happens to be male"

Would be about the extent of it tbh. Your friend sounds a peach.

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

They are sometimes hairy, sometimes not.

[Pobblewhohasnotoes]

I don't have an opinion. Your friend is an idiot though.

[Frontier]

In the 10 years i have been at this school we've only had 2 but they have both been brilliant, great with dc and sought after in such a female dominated environment.

Your friends are stupid but i expect youd get much the same if you were doing any traditionally female job. Hairdressing ? Nursing?

Can't you turn it round by explaining the benefits of working with women who are starved of male company?!

[Deverethemuzzler]

I don't have any opinions on them.
No more than I do on female TAs.

Why would I?

[livelablove]

I work in an infant school and there are no full time men working here but when a man does come in for something the kids seem to like having a male around. I think its more natural to have a mix. If you are good with the kids, the parents will like you.

[Thenapoleonofcrime]

Depends which one, my girls have gone to excellent afterschool care run by a great guy and his wife and they employed quite a few young guys as carers and they were excellent- one in particular who just was very funny. Others haven't impressed me so much- so basically it's a bit like female carers or assistants, some seem better than others. I certainly don't think anything negative about it as it seems ideal for children to be taught by a mixture of men and women although I am equally not bothered about them having a male teacher (as in actively wanting this) either- some people at their old school were because they thought they would provide better discipline, but I have to say that's not been my experience.

[enderwoman]

My daughter is starting secondary school in September and has never had a male teacher.

I don't think expect male teachers or TAs to be different to a woman but I'd prefer my children to see equal numbers of males and females in education.

[AnyFucker]

I haven't ever given it much thought, tbh

[secretcbeebiesfan]

I would take away the word male and say that my opinion on teaching assistants are good. I have worked in schools and teaching assistants do amazing jobs!
Now back to the male part, my point is, that I do not think it matters whether you are male or female, so long as the job is done correctly by both. Well done for standing your ground and continuing to do what you are good at.

[daisychain01]

I think it adds great balance to have both male and female teachers, TAs and mentors. Anyone who thinks otherwise is not worth engaging with. Just ignore their stupid comments!

Why does it / why should it make any difference whether those professionals are men or women, OP? What prejudice does your friend hold?

It can't be based on any rational thought process just to dismiss the great work you do as "odd"

[ApplySomePressure]

In my secondary school,where I teach, there are 5 male TAs all aged under 25.

They have been a god send. Their presence has made a real difference to some of outmost challenging boys. I think it's wonderful.

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

I'm a bit disturbed this is even a question.

What on earth would you expect anyone* to say.

*Who isn't a raving bigot.

[IneedAwittierNickname]

I have a massive crush on the male TA at DCs school if that helps?

In all seriousness if. TA does a good job who cares if they are male or female!

[WorraLiberty]

My opinion is that there isn't enough of them

There also aren't enough male Infant school teachers imo

[odyssey2001]

I think it is unusual in primary schools and we need more of them.

[Kewcumber]

About half of our TA's are male so its quite normal for here. They have been seriously good for DS as they supervise the majority of the lunchtime sports and seem to "get" him much better than the (female) teachers do.

I'm a single parent and having a strong male presence in our shcool has been great for us.

[Idontseeanyicegiants]

Problem is LRD that some people would think it was odd in some way. My MIL for instance (and one SIL come to think of it) would be highly suspicious of any man wanting to work with children.
The fact that it is in question is disturbing though, you're right.

[LumieresForMe]

The same than for a make teacher.
Finally a man who is teaching!
With a big smile.
Wouldn't even cross my mind that it's a 'weird' job for a man or anything. I actually though we had moved on from that bis your friend still living in the 1950s??