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 ??

[umar123]

@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 ??

I think there should be more male teaching assistants. I don't know why there are not that many.

[BobbyJones28]

shake I made the thread for opinions not to attention seek, what sort of saddo seeks attention from randoms on the internet?

[shakethetree]

Hmm - the more you post the more I agree with madaunty.
You sound like an attention seeking arse.

[NewtRipley]

Ironic random ! in there

[NewtRipley]

Kew

Yes, you have misunderstood. TAs support teachers in the teaching of everything children learn at school, including grammar. We run groups, work 1:1with children. Being able to speak and write grammatically, and have good spelling! is really important.

[NewtRipley]

Hmm

[BobbyJones28]

i don't give a shit

[Kewcumber]

TA's don't teach grammer or grammar do they? or have I completely misunderstood the role of a TA?

[ilovecolinfirth]

My boy is about to start a reception class with a male TA and he's very excited. We're pleased as it will be good for him to have an additional male role model in his life. Nothing at all suspicious about men working with children, sad that some people have an issue

[MrsCakesPremonition]

I think it is useful for the children in a school to see the diversity in their community reflected among the staff of the school. So it would be lovely if children were taught and supported by women and men from a range of religions and ethnic backgrounds.

It doesn't happen in a lot of schools.

[BobbyJones28]

whatever Madaunty i can make whatever thread i want! i made it for opinions not to attention seek, as for my grammer i generally can't be bothered when typing on a forum, it's not as if i'm marking children's work.

[AwaywiththePixies27]

I have never found it odd. Dd has had a Male Teacher for the past 2 years. He's the best teacher she's ever had and I'm gutted she can't have him every year! We also have had many male TAs come and assist when training. Always good reports.

[livelablove]

Regardless of why he started the thread it has brought up some really interesting posts about people's opinions on male T.As. I don't think it is fair to say, gender shouldn't make any difference so why ask, because people do have opinions on the subject and it will be helpful for a male T.A to know about what parents think of his role.

[BobbyJones28]

agree very much kewcumber

[Kewcumber]

Usual To you it's prejudice, to me is my opinion yes but some opinions are based on rather more fact than others. Sadly your children are way way more likely to be sexually abused by a man who is a friend or relative than a teacher or TA.

Of course its easier to imagine that the risk is a stranger who we don;t know than the step-father, father, brother, cousin etc who we do as that makes the world feel much safer. But you're not doing your children any favours if your approach is to fear the male TA and not your own brother.

Horrible thought but true. You need to teach children to not keep secrets ever and to know what to do if they feel uncomfortable in any way not fear male TA's.

I don't get the "but why would a man want to work with children" Why wouldn't they? Loads of fun, teaching children to learn stuff as see them grow, they often think you're marvellous and no day is the same as the next - whats not to like? Beats office work in my book.

[BobbyJones28]

i do not know if there are any other male teachers at the new school i am starting in september as every teacher i was introduced too and saw on my tour was female!!

[bearwithspecs]

My DD has one male TA and one make PE teacher at primary - I desperately hope they never leave. They are amazing 'teachers' and both brilliant influences. I hope she and DS have the chance to have a male class teacher at least once - we are in a big school so it's looking hopeful as there are 7 or 8 males - but only 10%.

[BobbyJones28]

yeah i know scottishmummy i just mean they seem not to have opinions like usualnamechanger and others which can only be a good thing!!!

[scottishmummy]

Be mindful of professional distance,doesn't matter if parents like you.youre role isnt to be liked

[Dayshiftdoris]

Ding along

I am a single parent so my child doesn't have that oh so important 'male role model'

He also has a male TA and as I said earlier there was much gushing about how WONDERFUL this would be because he is a MAN and he would such a WONDERFUL male role model that he doesn't have at home

Male TA is disorganised, forgetful and so laid back he's almost horizontal. My son is also all of those things and support to change this is one of the aims of his statement. He needs structure and direction.

Male TA is ineffective but he is ineffective NOT BECAUSE HE IS A MAN but because it's his first job as a TA and my son was the first SEN TA role he has done. He has said to me that it's been a huge learning curve so he's obviously self aware and actually I think he shows great promise and just needs more experience and focus. I like him a lot but he is being moved in September to a role he is more suited for at this present time.

I suspect that, given how much was said to my face when he started with my son that far too much emphasis was given to his TA being male and this on it's own being a benefit greater than a women when really it's negligible...

Now his head teacher is a woman and my son completely looks up to her, sees her as the person to please and is in effect his role model... Even though he has a perfectly good female role model at home.

Gender is completely irrelevant - all about the person and their expertise (not even necessarily experience) in a school. Any suggestion of otherwise is sexist and does the staff, male and female a disservice.

And the child abuse issue up-thread is NONSENSE - never even crossed my mind when my sons TA was appointed - why would it he's at equal risk with a woman and the school have excellent safeguarding procedures anyway.

[HappyAgainOneDay]

I reckon the friend was jealous.

[BobbyJones28]

Spoke to my friend about this thread and he said he now thinks male TA's are a good job as there is high demand for them... don't know what made him change his mind lol

Also the parents at the school i currently work at are very friendly i often talk with them alot and they seem to have no problem with me being male lol and i hope the parents at my new school (I am starting my second job in September) are just as welcoming