male teachers in primary

[workshy]

our primary has quite a few male teachers (5) and most children will have at least 1 male class teacher in their school career, the music teacher that teaches all classes in the school is male and so is the head

quite a few friends are suprised that there are so many and especially that they work in KS1 and 2 and have asked me if I was worried when DD2 had a male teacher in reception

is it really that unusual?

I agree, your friends sound really barking to think that.

There aren't nearly enough male teachers in primary schools. I say that as the daughter of two primary school teachers, later head teachers. As a direct comparison, similar sized schools in the same town, the atmosphere in the school with more male staff was so much better than the school with more female staff. It might have had a lot to do with managment styles also, but there is always such an easier-going atmosphere in the school with more male staff.

I can totally understand why there aren't more male primary teachers with attitudes like your friends' around though. Unfortunately, they are far from alone.

Dd1 junior school has 3 male teachers, she has had male teachers for last two years and she's not fussed, either am I. Being make does not make you a sexual predator!

When I was at primary school in the 90's there was one male teacher. Then he left and it was all female teachers for at least as long as it took me and all of my siblings to get through that primary school.

Dd's school has 3 male teachers. I think this is most definitely a Good Thing. And a male friend of mine is a P1 teacher.

I do know a male teacher that did turn out to be a paedophile but he taught secondary . And he's in jail now so no need to worry about him!

DS is in Y2 and has a male teacher at the moment. There's one male Y1 teacher as well (all the children wanted to be in his class) and one male Y3 teacher.

There's a male member of staff at DD1's nursery and all the parents are desperate to have him in their DCs' rooms (well, given the way these threads go on MN I assume that, statistically, not all the parents feel that way. But everyone I've ever heard express an opinion does)

My reception dd has a male teacher; there are a few in our school - the kids love them and they are fantastic role models especially for boys.

Previously, my dc's nursery had a male worker start who was hugely popular and it was interesting how just one male in a setting changed the dynamics (in a positive way).

Whilst I'm all for more male teachers in primary, what I'd prefer is that the best teacher regardless of gender gets a job as otherwise this is just sexism in another guise.

I have been teaching for 12 years and have seen brilliant young females struggle to get a job whilst less capable blokes have walked into them. I've also had a mum scream across the playground how some children had benefitted from having a male teacher and her child is stuck with another woman!!! Fortunately, said son then had a fantastic year with me which proved a point but still that fact that I didn't have a penis was her sole reason for not wanting her son in my class - that's rubbish!

I have noticed that generally speaking male teachers shoot through the ranks and get a headship in next to no time.

No male teachers at DS's primary and I think it's a shame it's so skewed. All his female class teachers have been great. It's more the role model aspect if there was just one in there somewhere. A dad has to go on the older kids residential trips.

Male teachers are of course very necessary as role models etc ... but it can be a bit galling as a female teacher to have every bit of disruptive behaviour put down to 'He just needs a man in the class' and to have the governors begging the very inexperienced male teacher to apply for the headship while ignoring some experienced and dedicated female teachers, as 'the school needs a strong (read 'male') figurehad ...' No-one could have been more horrified than our male teacher!
Also, at interview, in many places it is fairly pointless if you are up against a man. Schools are very keen on male teachers.

Your friend, IMO, is BONKERS AS CONKERS.

My DS's primary is a 14 class school, 3 of the teachers are male, as is the HT. The 3 male teachers are actually among the best teachers in the school!

There should be MORE male teachers - not less.

OP, your friends are mad. My partner is a male primary school teacher and is about as good as I am (ie very good joke emoticon ). I hate the idea that someone could think that he was dodgy cos he teaches primary, and I'm glad to see posters here are sane and don't hold that view.