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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What is your opinion of male teaching assistants

275 replies

BobbyJones28 · 26/06/2014 17:16

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 ??

OP posts:
LittleMisslikestobebythesea · 26/06/2014 20:07

I would like to see more male staff in primary's, I think its a great thing.

A new male teacher has started at our school, and he is amazing. He even plays football with the kids at playtime which they love :)

QueenofLouisiana · 26/06/2014 20:07

I'd ask if you can run interventions, encourage children with low self esteem, read my plans and just know what resources we need and have an encyclopaedic knowledge of the kids and their needs.....which is what my amazing TA does. I think TAs do a stunning job, what gender you are doesn't bother me in the least.

Oh and I'd be thrilled if you could come on the Y6 residential with me....we always need a bloke! Please keep doing your job, we need great TAs. Grin

NewtRipley · 26/06/2014 20:12

Kewcumber

Good point. I think, unfortunately, that it can also work to raise the status of a profession if more men are involved in it, although in the short term it can lower the status of the individual man in some people's eyes.

BillnTedsMostFeministAdventure · 26/06/2014 20:13

Agree with Kew.

livelablove · 26/06/2014 20:14

golferman love the name Grampyhelper. My dd class has an older man who volunteers to read with the kids and is wonderful with them, they all love him and he has really helped with dd's reading.

TheFallenMadonna · 26/06/2014 20:15

My brother is a primary school teacher. Someone I know once "joked" about paedophile tendencies. I did not laugh.

However, he usually gets responses more along the "how marvellous to have a teacher who is a man" line. Which irritates his wife - also a teacher.

Mind you, she also gets the "what a good career for a mum" comments, which of course, he doesn't... Hmm

HaroldLloyd · 26/06/2014 20:16

I don't see why they are saying that, wouldn't strike me as odd at all.

Loving grampyhelper. There should be a lot more of them.

SissySpacekAteMyHamster · 26/06/2014 20:16

I think both male and female role models are important in a child's life.

Uptheanty · 26/06/2014 20:19

I get quite pissed off with the " oh it's so great to have a man" mentality.
I don't think either is better ... But some men think that bring make makes them some how superior. Unfortunately it's supported by many "right on" parents.

Uptheanty · 26/06/2014 20:19
  • being male
Uptheanty · 26/06/2014 20:22

Another example of how being male allows you to be superior and somehow more important than all of the female workers who don't get appreciated for the same work.

insanityscatching · 26/06/2014 20:28

There are lots of male staff at dd's primary, probably a third or slightly more, for dd that is normal and she isn't aware that male staff in primary schools are less common. I tend to think it's probably like female staff there are the good and the bad, in dd's school I find all the staff in dd's school very kind, friendly and approachable regardless of the sex.Dd likes the male TA in her class but equally she likes the female TAs in her class too.

Foxy800 · 26/06/2014 20:30

As long as they are doing a good job i personally dont care if the ta is young, old, male, female etc.x

thornrose · 26/06/2014 20:34

Another example of how being male allows you to be superior and somehow more important than all of the female workers I really don't see it that way.

Remember the OP started the thread by saying that someone suggested it was an 'odd' choice for a man. Lots of people don't think that being a male in primary education makes them superior, quite the opposite in fact.

northandsouth4 · 26/06/2014 20:42

Wish more men did it. Far to few men in primary education.

DamnBamboo · 26/06/2014 20:44

We have one male TA. He is brilliant. The kids adore him and the parents do too. Because he excels in his role and is a real asset to the school. It's nice to see more male role models in a primary setting

DamnBamboo · 26/06/2014 20:46

I get quite pissed off with the " oh it's so great to have a man" mentality.
I don't think either is better ... But some men think that bring make makes them some how superior. Unfortunately it's supported by many "right on" parents

What an utterly bizarre attitude? What on earth are you talking about?
Do you get pissed off with the 'it's nice to see more female CEOs too'

Kerryp · 26/06/2014 20:52

It's unusual but great, there's only 1 male teacher ( that I know of ) at my dds primary school and the kids seem to love him, he always has them outside playing games and seems to be one of the few teachers I've never seen shout. Sorry to sound sexist but I've always felt men have more patience with children than women. ( hey I could be wrong )

Original poster
BobbyJones28 · 26/06/2014 20:55

uptheanty - well no actually thats not what i was getting at making this thread!!!

OP posts:
TiggyD · 26/06/2014 21:19

Your friend's a dick OP.

It's a view shared by only a tiny proportion of people. Enjoy your job!

Original poster
BobbyJones28 · 26/06/2014 22:43

Tiggyd ''Your friend's a dick OP.

It's a view shared by only a tiny proportion of people. Enjoy your job!''

Thank you, i really do enjoy my job and try not to take no notice aha

OP posts:
maninawomansworld · 26/06/2014 22:45

I think they're fantastic. We need more men in our schools, little boys NEED male role models (female ones too - but most teachers / school staff seem to be female already).
Well done bobby!

FreudiansSlipper · 26/06/2014 22:49

I am feeling a bit icky with all the back patting

I think op you knew what response you would get on here

strange that women working in mainly male dominated professions are often seen as being hard or bitches a male working in a profession which is dominated by women is a hero

TiggyD · 26/06/2014 22:51

Are they? Not the ones I've known.

FreudiansSlipper · 26/06/2014 22:54

have you not read this thread ?

the men working at ds school and nursery were seen as being great men for doing what is really a woman's job

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