Speak Out!
The Disappearance of Male Teachers
Sun, 01/06/2008 - 22:39 | Education
According to research conducted by the National Education Association, the ranks of male teachers are dwindling:
…over the last two decades, the ratio of males to females in teaching has steadily declined. The number of male teachers now stands at a 40-year low. The percentage of male teachers in elementary schools has fallen regularly since 1981 - that year, it reached an all-time high of 18 percent. Today, a scant 9 percent of elementary school teachers are men. Likewise, the percentage of males in secondary schools has fluctuated over the years, but now stands at its lowest level (35 percent).What can be done to encourage more men to choose teaching as a profession?
Doing What's Right
Comments
Isn't this really about Black
Isn't this really about Black men in general? Do we Black men speak to each other in day to day life? You know like what up Black man greeting? Why not, if you don't-that's how we came together in the 60-70's. You young folk need to start trying it. When us boomers leave the earth it won't be that many of you Black folk left [80'S a lot of black men died at the hands of another-Prison life means no babyies born to that convict] Better start learning how to talk to each other now!Tomorrow will be too late.
Again when have any of you
Again when have any of you black folk heard any white person running for the White House talk about a Black man's concerns? Wheel out Bill Clinton to talk to the sisters but who cares about us Black men? Keep voting white and see what happens to our young black males. Obama 08
I have observed the same
I have observed the same behavior from some of the white teachers as described in post #19. In the teachers lounge I constantly hear about the inability of the students to learn as well as the lack of black parental interest in education for the children. I have seen instances where Black children were discouraged from learning due to the attitude and underlying racism that exists with these teachers. Oh yes, it's alive and festering in many of our classrooms; on many occasions I had to control my frustrations and hold in the tears until I got home.
There are opportunists in every profession; within the education system, our children are often victims.
I would like to comment on
I would like to comment on one of the comments that responder #10 made about white female teachers. White female teachers will drive a country mile to work in a school with predominantly black children because they know that they will be paid a lot more than if they worked in the school districts where they live.
In the St. Louis area, the highest paying school districts are the ones with the largest quantity of African American students. It never fails, every year, we get these young white girls fresh out of college coming in who by the end of the first month of school are ready to pull their hair out. Most of them came out of student teaching situations where they had mostly white kids and are totally unprepared for the culture shock that they find when dealing with black children.
Don't get me wrong I work with some white teachers who really do care and go out of their way for our students, but the great majority of the ones coming in could care less if these kids learn and will even tell them that they don't care if they learn or not because they will still get their pay check regardless. I have worked in three different schools and I see this over and over again.
My problem is why do the districts continue to do this. They know that these teachers are not performing; they write the most number of discipline referrals for the dumbest things and our kids are the ones suffering. You can walk into some of their classrooms on any given day and the kids are absolutely off the chain. What is even more crazy about this is that these are the teachers that move up the fastest. These are the ones who go to school to become administrators and then they get principal positions. Most of the time they don't stay in the classroom for over three years before they are given a principal position.
There are brothers out there
There are brothers out there who would be great teachers but locally I don't see enough effort (financially and socially) to recruit Black men to the field of education. I teach rooms filled with white women and some white men who have dreams of teaching and being administrators. The few brothers I have seen are one among 30 in a class. I am always so impressed with their focus and passion.
I also wish that there were more faculty of color within the teacher education programs to help shape the curriculum and programming that might appeal to brothers with a variety of experiences that are usually not part of the cultural capital of the university. I think that the spiritual, socially conscious, and purpose-driven sides of black men are not on the radar. The media appeals to the black male entertainer, the black male athlete, and the black male pimp. A brother would have to see past and push through the limited number of paths this country perceives for him!!! But as a mother of three black sons, I support the black male teachers!!!
A lot of the problems in
A lot of the problems in education are due to the fact that the current reforms in place have a very negative impact from the bottom up and not the top down. The classroom is a very, very stressful place to be. Most of the black males, in particular, that are still there are concerned about the children, but they are also close to retirement which makes the system more palatable. Most of the men that come into education come with the idea of ending up in administration partly because the educational system has become more and more political and corporate which yields more power and money for those in administration. There is less heat at the top. In the classroom, you have to deal with the problems of the district, your students' problems and whatever issues you deal with personally. In most cases, the district's problems and your students' problems greatly affect you personally. The system will have to be re-organized so that there is more equity for the responsibility of learning.
Although teaching is an
Although teaching is an honorable profession, the pay scale is too low. Men have been conditioned to believe that he should be able to take care of his family financially. How can he do that on a teacher's salary? Especially, an entry level teachers salary. The only teacher I would encourage a man to be is a teacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After all, when your money does not work for you, the Word of God will. Keeping it real...
To answer the question:
To answer the question: First, we must increase the number of African American men entering college in the first place. There has been a decline in enrollment of African American men entering college. Second, we must launch aggressive recruitment similar to the recruitment for male nurses, another profession traditionally viewed as female. Third, put we must together pre-K college including certification support systems. The support systems include after school and Saturday tutoring. The support service must also include college tutoring. Consistent support systems will deal with the gaps in education provided by the various educational institutions throughout America. Forth, we must start the recruitment which fill areas of need such as science education and technical instruction where corporate funding is possible. This allows income to be supplemented by other activities such as workshop design and development, and online tutoring. Finally, we must provide the emotional support to our male children so that they can see their possibilities.
This is based on my personal
This is based on my personal opinion, not any substantive research. I think that it is a combination of factors. For one, teaching has almost become as gender-stereotyped as being a nurse or a secretary. In other words, there's a lingering notion that women should be teachers and not men, and that if a man is a teacher, he is somewhat less masculine. In addition to that label, the mindset exists that people in general are teaching because they don't have the drive, skills, or intelligence to do something that pays more (i.e. "Those that can't do TEACH"...) and the male ego can't really handle that negative assertion.
Also, along the lines of the financial aspects, it's no secret that teachers make less money, which doesn't support the traditional male role of "provider" and "breadwinner". So if you're a teacher dating a successful doctor or other professional, there is the fear that there will be a shift in respect levels, either from your significant other or from your peers.
Lastly, since people don't go into teaching for the money, one has to be truly dedicated and driven to pursue that path. People aspire to what they see. If they don't see any successful male teachers, they won't think that is a route for males. Very often when you see male teachers, they have a male relative from the previous generation that is or was a teacher. Black males especially really don't have that.
Our schools are failing our
Our schools are failing our young black males and I say this as a teacher of predominately black male emotional and behavior disability students. We label them because we do not truly understand their struggles. We have wonderful transition programs for our learning disabled students but we have no transition programs for my students to ease their movement into the adult world. If our schools overlook black males, of course they are not going to want to enter the teaching profession. In my school system, ONLY 39% of African-American males graduate from high school. This is a huge crisis that most people overlook. These young men see that the schools are not taking a vested interest in their success so why should they enter a field that failed them?????
Let's ask them to become
Let's ask them to become teachers. Let's get back to telling the Black Man that he is a wonderful being that is so truly needed in our homes, our communities and in our schools. Let's nurture the man so that he can be a sweet, confident, spirit within himself. Let's let the Black Man know that he is valued.
We know that we don't pay teachers their worth, so let's offer tuition forgiveness as an incentive. As well, a 3% fixed rate loan within the city limits would be a blessing. Remember this is to compensate for the lack of credible income. Let's offer free tuition for the necessary continuing education. Let's get young Black Men started in high school in an intensive teacher education program, that then gets them pre-prepared for the college teacher's ed curriculum.
Keep it real; we will have to prepare these students as well. It really is no picnic. Young people are at an all time disrespectful mode these days. They are indeed a lot to deal with.
If we can get this off the ground, I know we will be a better nation.
Blessings Be Upon Us
Ui
I think that teaching as a
I think that teaching as a profession is not only not appreciated, but the pay really isn't there. I think that men see teaching as a "female" job, and haven't really been advised that it really is a noble profession. Not to mention that many households are single-parent homes, and Be-be's kids really aren't fun to be around all day long. The unfortunate thing about that line of thinking is that Be-be's kids really need to see a professional man in their lives - outside of the home.
I just want to say that when
I just want to say that when I was in college in the late 90's, practically no one on campus wanted to teach. You would ask someone if they were going to teach and they looked at you like you were insane. They were saying that the pay was way too low and it was too stressful dealing with someone else's children when the incentives were too low.
Anyone ever wonder why
Anyone ever wonder why teachers have made so little for so long? Since integration teaching has steadily become a less desirable profession. Think about it, if we can solve the problem of teacher quality by making it a more competitive profession among professionals this could be the basis of every plan for self improvement we have.
By keeping the pay low there is really not much to lose when the job gets tough. And when the job gets tough for too long it breeds low morale. And low morale is a negative energy for our children who are little sponges, as we know. To be honest I don’t see a lot of white male teachers either, but the difference here is the white female teachers live much more comfortable lives largely due to their husbands' incomes.
This is one reason for the growth in the private school industry. With the low pay scale of teachers, white female teachers can afford the choice of private schools, mostly white suburban schools, or be stay at home moms. Therefore they are where they want to be, thus there is a great difference in the energy in the above school systems. (Why you think for the most part them and they chullin always smiling & $h!tt). Now I’m not saying that this is the only problem in our schools but we are basically talking about teacher salaries here and I believe that breeds negative or positive energy.
In closing, I also believe that only because of the above circumstances does this problem still exists. There is no reason for teachers to be paid the way they are except that for the most part in the private and suburban schools it ain't that big of an issue.
P.S. (If it looks like I’m getting smaller & smaller, dat’s cuz I’m getting further & further away). HOLLA!
I've been teaching (Sub.) for
I've been teaching (Sub.) for five years since being downsized following the WTC disaster. If the school district of Philadelphia would pay for it, I'd finish my certification. Can't afford to go deeper in debt.
Most definitely there is a shortage of male teachers, especially black males.
The pay is extremely low and the job will require one to wear multiple hats. You will spend lots of time policing students!
Easy. Make teaching the kind
Easy. Make teaching the kind of occupation that a primary wage earner can support their family with and you will see more men entering the teaching force. The case for the benefits of having males in our classrooms and in our schools has already been made above.
It's about shortages of
It's about shortages of teachers period, male and female. Today's shortages zap the numbers of males, which were fewer to begin with.
Teachers are one of the most immediate role models available to a lot of kids. Echoing one of the earlier writers, we could create more programs targeting high school students, recruiting them for small-learning-community-model programs that help train teachers early, with natural sequencing to credential programs at the higher ed level - why not discount these, offer them for free?
Focus such programs on young men in high school.
And to be honest Tavis, male
And to be honest Tavis, male teachers have never been too plentiful especially black ones. They are a rarity indeed, and then most of them that do teach start applying for principalships.......
Men don't want to deal with
Men don't want to deal with bad-sses and crazy pressure from administrators in the classroom any more than some women do and then the reward is a few peanuts they expect you to live off of. My daddy left the classroom over 37 years ago for a much better paying position, better benefits, the whole nine. Yeah he works hard but he is not afraid of hard work and plus he doesn't have to worry about charges being filed on him for losing his restraint on some kid.
As suggested, recruit future
As suggested, recruit future educators at the high school level, provide mentorship through dedicated teachers who can communicate the virtues and honor in teaching. Increase incentives for those interested in the profession; full ride scholarships inclusive of completion of master’s degrees in their respective disciplines along with opportunities to study abroad. Increase salaries for educators, teachers often have two families they provide for, their students and immediate families.
Eliminate NCLB, its negative components far outweigh any positives, if any, it has had on public education; simply put, it isn’t working. If we desire to attract creative, bright, and innovative movers and thinkers in education, we have to provide an atmosphere in the classroom that promotes teaching the basics as well as the academic freedom to teach outside of the box.
It’s not enticing to enter into a profession were you are under-valued, under-appreciated, and under-paid, where the primary expectation is meeting government quotas. Teaching and learning should be a positive experience for both the teacher and student. A mandate to LNSUF (Leave No School Under Funded) LNTUP (Leave No Teacher Under Paid) should be the first order of revamping our education system.
I also agree with post number one, the presence of males in the classroom decreases many of the behavioral issues teachers contend with; many students who exhibit “behaviors” in the classroom are rapidly labeled as learning disabled. However, when the disruptions are minimized, our children excel and learn. If you never read the biography of Dr. Ben Carson, neurosurgeon, I encourage you to do so; he was labeled as one of these children, as are many of our children. You may also want to check out this web site that addresses and explores current issues in education. http://www.epi.org/content.cfm/books_teachers_pay
Peace be with you
better salaries
better salaries
Polls and Survey shows that
Polls and Survey shows that men are not that connected to education compared to women.
In conjunction with the launch of an online database that analyzes high school graduation rates, it’s being reported that the dropout rate is worst for urban schools and minority males: I read this article on the Tavis Smiley page filed under education. I cannot say that I enjoyed reading this but I read it.
NEA: National Education Association wrote:
The male teacher dilemma
• Colleges of education historically have a tough time luring men because of dated notions that teaching is women's work.
• Salaries are low for teachers when compared to salaries for other professionals, which lowers the prestige and social value of a career in teaching.
• Many men do not see the teaching profession as a lucrative way to provide for their families.
• The prevailing philosophy within education is that men go into teaching to "teach the subject," and women enter teaching to nurture and develop children. Since males tend to gravitate toward secondary teaching, this leaves a critical shortage of male teachers at the elementary level.
• In addition, might I add that the pay is not that great. When you look at how society pays athletics vs. teachers it is a wonder we even have teachers to teach our kids. Women are more prone to have more staying power than men are.
• Let me play the devils advocate for a minute:
• Colleges of education historically have a tough time luring men because of dated notions that teaching is women's work.
Now you find this same mentality in the homes. Men feel, as though children are the sole responsibilities of the woman. Men have to be more responsible for the kids and not always trying to find a way out.
Male CEO, Managers, supervisors, VP, Senior VPs of a company, not getting their hands dirty can be labeled as women work. Now that sounds as silly as teaching- being women’s work -this is what I call STONE-AGE MENTALITY, back in the Flintstone days.
This is what the problem is universal, where the slots for men are many of them are empty. If we can just get black men back into the families, schools, relationships we could see the dark clouds passing over. Men in my opinion have to learn to build better/tighter relationships and take off the runaway shoes. I do not know who sings this song but men stop “Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay Watching The Time Roll Away”. They have to learn to go beyond self to find that connecting strength, that love connection that makes you stay even when you feel like leaving. Love is what keeps a woman in many positions. We tend to look past that oppositions into what really matters and yes, we are nurturers by nature. We know that if mommy walks out –who is left.
If we had more men in teaching profession, I think that it would be more order in our schools it may be a little naïve - but that is just my opinion. I had one favorite male teacher back in the day and his name was Coach Rucker in the physical education class.... My physical education teacher was named Ms. Jenkins; she was cool but Coach Rucker …hmmm-that is all I will say. When the male and female classes came together in the gym that was my favorite time of the day. We had this large trampoline in the gym where we all would spotcheck the trampoline so that the person jumping on it would not fall off. We had to jump as high as we could and then do a flip. We had so much fun playing on the trampoline, volleyball, basketball, kickball, softball, and track. P.E. AND English, and Reading was my favorite subjects. We had a lot more male teachers in the seventies and eighties than we do now. “THOSE WERE THE DAYS”