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 ??

Ds1 had 1 male teacher before secondary.

Ds2 had a male teacher in nursery and two at junior school, one was the TA first, the other was the teacher who taught ds1 and also me and dsis

I had two male teachers at junior school.

Ds3 will have a male nursery teacher when he starts in sept. I know this is unusual though, which is a shame.

There is one male teacher at my dc's school - he is amazing and everyone really rates him/looks forward to their dc being in his year. There was a male ta for a while too - most parents are pleased for their dc to have a male influence at school.

True, Idontsee

He also said it was a nice thing to see a little personality develop in front of your eyes. I thought that was rather sweet.

Good to get both sexes and a range of people working a school.

My DD never had a male TA throughout her primary school, although the two Heads during her time there were men, and three of the subject teachers.

Would have no problem with a male TA, as long as they did a good job.

I do know someone whose children go to a school with a male TA, and the mum made it plain to me that she thought it "odd" that the man wasn't wanting to train as a teacher, but had no problem with the women TAs remaining as TAs! By odd, I mean that she felt the man should want to climb the career ladder, and aspire to be a Head.

I wish there were more male TA, and male nursery nurses, and male primary teachers. I think it is good for both girls and boys to have carers of both genders. So sad that some people are distrustful.

As long as A TA does the the job that they are paid to do gender has no relevance whatsoever.

There are many male teachers so why not TA's.

In my child's school the majority of the staff are male including those who assist in the classrooms.

My DH is a TA in a school for kids with special needs (ranging from severly disabled to the far end of the Autisti spectrum and everything inbetween).

He is a legend, imo. Utterly amazing at his job, excellent with all kids he encounters, and is so patient and clever at working out what motivates the kids he works with.

He could be a Primary School teacher if he wanted (andI think would make a marvellous Nursery Nurse) however he prefers the lower level of responsibility as in not doing the work at home re lesson plans
etc.

I wish there were more male TA, and male nursery nurses, and male primary teachers. I think it is good for both girls and boys to have carers of both genders. So sad that some people are distrustful.

It is a bit like nursing, in that it seems ok to have a trained nurse who is a male, but not an HCA. It seems acceptable to have teachers and expecially HT who are male, but a minoriy view a male TA as an oddity.

I would be quite happy to have a male TA in either of my DCs classes, as long as they were as wonderful as the female ones they have atm!

I'd love to see more male primary teachers, teaching assistants, SAHD's and men working part time. You're a great role model for equality. Please be proud of your achievement

My DCs have had two male reception teachers (separately), Dc1 will be with a male teacher in sept.

My son who has SN had a young male TA working with him for a while.

All fantastic at their job. If I have an opinion it's that rather like women in male dominated professions, the men who have the determination to go for it, and who overcome prejudices to get jobs, tend to be rather better at it than the average. Hope this applies to you!

i love reading this as everyone seems in favour of it

Male teaching assistant great!
My kids love all their teaching assistants - the men as well as the women. The one that is also a fireman gets special adoration though

I'm always pleased to see male teaching staff. I think it's a positive thing for children to be taught by both sexes.

You might ask what we think of female TAs. No two, regardless of gender, are the same. All (of us) have a mixture of of personality traits and skills which we bring to the job.

I work with some excellent male and female TAs

Male staff are useful where children need to be supervised in swimming changing rooms.

It is good for children to recieve care and discipline from both genders. What I dislike is that sometimes male TAs are perceived to be better with certain children, purely on the basis of their gender (ie seen as 'enforcers'). Children need to see the full range of maleness for them to be good role models.

It's sad you got the reaction you did from your friend.

If you do a great job gender is irrelevant.

Personally I think it's very healthy for kids to have contact with both sexes in teaching and TA roles.

My husband was the (only) male TA in his school.
He is now a teacher.
Your friend is a idiot.

I applaud anyone wanting to work in schools.

I find it a bit disquieting though that you would be welcomed because you have a penis.

My oldest son has worked as a primary TA for three years and is now training to be a primary teacher. He's had nothing but positive responses from schools, children and parents. I concur, naturally!

I've seen male TAs and Learning Mentors make a huge difference in schools I've worked in.

Some children who have no decent male role models in their lives can really benefit from having one around.

In my experience (Primary) they are still few and far between and I think that's a real shame.

When I was training as a TA all the males were working in or looking to work in Secondary schools.

PS

I don't wish to offend, but did you know it is "fed up with it"?

My DC's nursery has one male NN (used to have a couple more) and he is one of the two or three most popular staff in the place, with kids and parents. He is certainly in the top quartile of staff in terms of his ability at the job, and the nursery is ace.