Current Connection 3.2

"97 percent of  teachers in pre-K are woman" says Early childhood news article "men in early childhood: fathers and teachers" written by By Francis Wardle, Ph.D. Men in younger grades than middle school is almost unheard of. "The inclusion of men in early childhood programs has garnered considerable attention over the years. This interest is due to three related trends: 1) the lack of men—usually fathers—in the lives of many of our young children, 2) the dearth of men in the early childhood field, and 3) an increased interest in father involvement in early childhood programs."

Teachers in education are looked at highly by most. Especially when they stick with the traditions of their gender roles. Preschool through the elementary years everyone remembers the female teacher, the male principal, and a variety of equal male and female coaches. No one thinks that a male could be a educator in the younger grades.

According to Dr Wardle's article men want to break these gender role walls. "Male staff want to be treated equally in everything, including rules, expectations, and personnel policies." but women try to keep them in the old gender roles "Male staff want to believe they can have a career in early childhood education, if they so choose. Male employees don’t want to have to do all the heavy lifting. Ask any man in child care and one of the first complaints will be, “I always have to shovel the snow, take out the trash, and lift the child."

Male educator have many roles in the education system. But they should not be bound to them. Equal opportunities should be offered and given. Female educators try to conceal them in there gender roles. Educating should not be limited by sex by the age level.