I'm a male nursery class teacher, AMA

[Mrbusyteacherdad]

I teach nursery class and early years in a school setting, have done for several years. I'm the only male in school so ask anything except the name of my school!

I personally find it really irritating how people fawn over male teachers in early years and primary schools as if they’re reinventing the wheel.
Getting lauded for doing a job that women do all the time without the fucking parade. Just for being make bodied.

While we need more men in early years and primary school, we don’t need men for the sake of it.
We need men who perform gender in a way that challenges entrenched sex stereotypes. Not men who confirm it.

So my question to you is what do you bring to the table?

My dd's school had 7 male teachers, yr2 upwards.
Is it really such a rare event?

How do you find comments such as that from @Onyernelly ? Especially when women often get applauded for working in male dominated fields, and male teachers do add a lot of value to schools and many children?

Onyernelly

A somewhat unnecessarily snarky post

I know a male primary head teacher who openly says he went into primary teaching because there was a better chance of becoming head. Do you want to move up the leadership scale?

@DillonPanthersTexas

Onyernelly

A somewhat unnecessarily snarky post

Agree

I agree with @Onyernelly. What difference does your sex have to do with your job? Why not just ask ‘I’m a nursery / early years teacher AMA’. Why announce your male-ness?! Is it because being MALE makes you much more knowledgeable or interesting? Give over.

@Onyernelly

I personally find it really irritating how people fawn over male teachers in early years and primary schools as if they’re reinventing the wheel. Getting lauded for doing a job that women do all the time without the fucking parade. Just for being make bodied.

While we need more men in early years and primary school, we don’t need men for the sake of it.
We need men who perform gender in a way that challenges entrenched sex stereotypes. Not men who confirm it.

So my question to you is what do you bring to the table?

You’re devaluing traditionally female jobs with this post. The OP is challenging sex stereotypes by working in a female dominated field. He deserves the exact same praise we heap on women working in male dominated fields. Your attitude implies that only traditionally male jobs are the important jobs worthy of praise.

I think a male teacher would we great for my DS ( year one) ? Do you find boys engage more with a male teacher ?

Are men discouraged from Primary teaching, or are women pushed towards it more?

(I have child in Yr4, one in Yr6. They have attended four schools. Neither has had a male class teacher, although one has a male LSA this year.)

onyer why the snarcasm?

The male nursery worker my ds had 18 years ago was fantastic and really invested in having dads involved with the nursery and their kids. He had dad groups set up and even a band called 'dadzone'
We live ina deprived area with a high number of single parent families and he's remembered by generations of now adults as their first, non threatening (( positive))) male role model.

I think it’s great OP that you are a primary years teacher. How has sexism affected you? I read on MN that some mothers are uncomfortable with and do not like male teachers of very young children or male babysitters/nursery workers...have you encountered this prejudice?

Would you have posted this if you were female? It seems like the fact you're 'male' is central to why you have posted , rather than your job? I'm curious to know why that is. I find people faun over male early years teachers and notice men seem to get promoted quickly. Do you think men have an advantage?

As a nursery nurse myself I want to say good for you! I'm sure the environment is different in schools but in a nursery I imagine it can be pretty tough to be the only man among loads of women. I've worked in nurseries for almost 10 years and have come across only 5 male nursery staff. All of which had parents assume they must be homosexual!

Why did you post on Mumsnet?

You are all not seeing what’s in front of you if you think women in male dominated fields are held up in the same way that males are in female dominated fields.

In female dominated fields- men are paid more and have faster career progression than the women.

And yes - the fact that op is a ‘male nursery teacher’, he was signalling himself out as special.

BRAVE and STUNNING 👏👏👏

@PlanDeRaccordement

I disagree with you that I devalue women’s roles in teaching.

I am a great advocate for challenging sex stereotypes and having more males in primary - nursery schools.

I asked my question for perfectly legitimate reasons.

OP, did you know that the as a male primary school teacher you have a much higher chance of becoming a headteacher than if you were a woman (15% compared to 6.5%)? Why do you think that is?

Have you only taught nursery and early years, or have you taught older year groups? In my experience it's very unusual these days to remain in one year group for several years.

And yes - I am being a bit snarky , especially for this time in the morning.

Sorry op.

I agree with the previous comments about men in teaching being more likely to progress than women.

That said, as a former teacher I'd welcome any member of staff that pulls their weight and does a good job.

Do you have children? I'd imagine the hours make it helpful for combining with family life!

I have to say, the couple I know with the best work/home life balance are both senior teachers. They are able to manage equal responsibility for the DC and good wages. Better than one higher wage/long hours job and one on part time school friendly hours by a country mile!

Lots of faux naivety and people being (purposefully i expect) obtuse. Of course it's different for men in early years education, there are a lot of entrenched views about men working in this job, even though the value of it to children has been shown in research. I don't think anyone is suggesting they are better teachers by default, but that its possible they bring an interesting insight. It is relevant to an ask me anything as some people are probably interested in the experience of a man, just as they would if a woman came on here and said I'm a bin collector, I'm an aeronautical engineer, I'm in the parachute regiment.

My DS would love a male teacher.

What's your favourite part of the day? (Not allowed to say home time)

He said he works in a nursery They are more rare than primary school teachers.

Dd had a male teacher at nursery. I was surprised as I'd never seen one. I don't know why but I don't think of men when I think about people being paid to look after babies and toddlers.