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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:
NewtRipley · 27/06/2014 19:08

Apocalypse

Great posts. It is what I alluded to earlier, but did not elaborate on.

Delphiniumsblue · 27/06/2014 19:12

Great idea- far more needed, especially in the early years.

NewtRipley · 27/06/2014 19:14

Lumieres

it is not my experience that makes have to be better. On the contrary, some of them get away with being less professional, as long as they are good fun and play footie

NewtRipley · 27/06/2014 19:14

Men, not makes

Dayshiftdoris · 27/06/2014 19:42

I had a thread about this a while ago because my son was assigned a male TA and there was much gushing from staff in the school (and friends) about how wonderful he would be because he is male.

I felt the attitude was sexist - that if he was good it would be because he was a skilled and experienced TA not because he is male. Furthermore his skills should be recognised not put down to being 'one of the boys'.

Three months in and can honestly say the male bit is completely irrelevant. This was a change to his TA due to previous one becoming pregnant so I was desperate for some consistency and hoped he would follow my son into next academic year. However, the head has made the decision to change his TA as his current one is not as effective as he could be. I agree and so does the class teacher - his 'maleness' as it was described by some staff has not been enough to carry him through in the face of a really tricky child to manage.

So be very grounded - you may well find you are a bit of a novelty as a male in a primary school and that you might well be put on a pedestal but be really true to yourself and work hard at learning to be the best you can. If you buy into being special because you are male you are not only doing yourself a disservice but you are potentially setting yourself up for a fall.

LumieresForMe · 27/06/2014 21:37

I've never said men were better!
I said that if they getting wrong, esp in the case of safeguarding practice etc, they are have a harder deal than women.

I completely agree with Kew saying that people's reactions to a male TA is the other side of the coin to the one of a woman in the board room. Esp when you talk about male nursery nurse/teacher. Very few mothers parents actually do trust a man in charge of babies and toddlers.

However, it is true that for TA/teachers, you do have the effect of men automatically seen as 'competent' (a good sign of a sexist society) and then if they are proving not to be that good, they are replaced/moved etc.. Whereas women are assumed to be 'not competent enough' and first need to prove themselves (see the boardroom).
In general though, you still have lots of people who look down on men who take such roles (see the Op's friend) and it is good for men and women that men are doing more of the 'caring and nurturing' jobs as it helps going towards more equality and choice for both men and women. And of course, we also need more women doing some these so called 'men's jobs' too.

KitKat1985 · 27/06/2014 21:40

Sorry, haven't read whole thread. Just to say I work as a nurse with a lot of male nurses / HCAs. It's really depressing that in this day and age this is still considered an issue. Your friend is a prat.

usualnamechanger · 27/06/2014 22:23

Sorry, but I wouldn't want a man teaching very young children.

Original poster
BobbyJones28 · 27/06/2014 22:24

wow i have enjoyed reading some replies to the thread thanks!! All very good posts and points

OP posts:
TakesTwo · 27/06/2014 22:26

I have no opinion except thinking it is a good thing to see men in primary schools. So well done you. Walk proud. (Your friend is a twat. My H is one, always taking the mickey of his best friend sahd. Always made me vomit.)

BIWI · 27/06/2014 22:26

Why, usualnamechanger?

TakesTwo · 27/06/2014 22:28

After reading the thread I have to agree with Apocalypse in that a man is straightaway seen as better.
But this has nothing to do with you personally.

Delphiniumsblue · 27/06/2014 22:47

I hope you are aware, usualnamechanger, that there are male infant and reception teachers- sadly not enough, but I know 3. Why on earth not? Confused it is great for small children who generally just get women.

Delphiniumsblue · 27/06/2014 22:48

In the school that they are teaching in reception and year 1 you don't get an option. ( except to find another school as they are small one class per year schools)

Original poster
BobbyJones28 · 27/06/2014 22:50

usualnamechanger what a silly and old fashioned opinion to have i'm sorry we ain't living in the past anymore!!!!! ridiculous

plus the children i work with are key stage 2 so older primary children, would you still have a problem with that?????

OP posts:
usualnamechanger · 27/06/2014 22:56

Bobby You wanted an opinion, so that's my opinion. I won't go into details why I think that way because it's no one business and I really do not care what other people including you, think about my way of thinking.

I would feel better if the children were 10 to 1 years old at least before getting a male teacher.

usualnamechanger · 27/06/2014 22:56

10 to 12 years old

Delphiniumsblue · 27/06/2014 23:00

Luckily they are getting more male teachers into key stage 1 and they have always had them in key stage 2.

Delphiniumsblue · 27/06/2014 23:01

Schools do their best to attract them- infant classes especially, they want a more balanced staff.

starlight1234 · 27/06/2014 23:03

As a single parent whose DS lacks a male role model I would welcome them in his school.

Usualnamechage - Do you think it would be different if it was a teacher and not a TA. I am not sure why you would join in a debate then state it is no one elses opinion why you think that way.

OP I hope the comments make you feel more secure

poorfoxyloxy · 27/06/2014 23:05

???? ummm seriously????? I want the best qualified person for the job. That is all!

mytwoblackandwhitecats · 27/06/2014 23:06

Here we go again with the language - "luckily" the children get men, as up until now they have "just" got women.

I'm so sorry Delphiniums - I really am not attacking you personally, but this drip drip effect is insulting but sadly acceptable. I heard, in my time teaching, that a class needed a "strong man" or that the English department needed a "male presence" - I can't imagine other prejudices being tolerated.

It's ridiculous to say that a man shouldn't teach but it's ridiculous to claim that because of his gender rather than his teaching ability, he is needed in the classroom.

usualnamechanger · 27/06/2014 23:09

Delphiniums Tell them to offer banker's salaries and they will get a flock of men willing to do teaching.
star in my 'ideal world' there would be no men in any position until they are 10 to 12 years old like I said. I gave my opinion because the OP was asking for an opinion, I am well aware my opinion won't be a popular one, but that's the point of this sort of forum, you read lots of 'opinions' not just 'yes people'.

Original poster
BobbyJones28 · 27/06/2014 23:14

so usualnamechanger you think men shouldn't teach / Assist children until they are 10! LOL whats the difference between 9 and 10.... do you not trust men or something

OP posts:
mummytime · 27/06/2014 23:27

Gosh! I've been happy with male nursery workers (and there are precious few of them), loved having some male role models in Infant school, and sent my DCs to schools where there were at least 3 men on the staff for primary. I also have a DH who has been fully involved in bringing up my DC.
I know at least one boy who has blossomed having a male TA - with him the gender was important (for a time).
But then I was also shocked when my Ds at 6 told me "only women can be teachers" despite him knowing a lot of male teachers as family friends.

I really worry about why usualnamechanger thinks men shouldn't be teachers to under 12s (or maybe in any contact?).

BobbyJones28 - some of the best TAs I have known have been men - its a perfectly good job, and I'm glad you are doing it.