New Zealand: Few men take up teaching

Submitted by Matt on Fri, 2013-03-15 01:06

Article here. Excerpt:

'Children are missing out on positive male role models because of a shortage of men wanting to become teachers.
...
She said there were some "wonderful" men coming through teaching college but it was hard to attract males at primary level.

A long-standing public perception of male teachers having "poor intentions" could be one reason, she said.
...
The Early Childhood Council (ECC) estimated that of the 1100 centres it represented, 2 per cent of staff were male, but Mrs Sellars said men were "just as good" at looking after young children as females.

"There has been a stigma around males about sexual abuse in the classroom but the truth is it's just as much females as well as males. I think that [perception] is changing a bit now though."'

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... long hours, low pay, and constant suspicion of pedophiliac tendencies.

Hmmm. Don't have any idea why a man'd balk at that opportunity!

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Submitted by Matt on Fri, 2013-03-15 01:10

I would think it takes a certain kind of person to work in a public school environment. I don't know about long hours as I always thought teachers worked about 6 hours/day had ample time off, etc. As far as I can tell public schools are a pro-union, pro-democratic party, feminist environment with the expectation of everyone is to be on board with the political agenda. And lots and lots of bureaucracy . Many rules and regulations, not really free to teach the way you want or the material you want. That is all decided in Washington DC.

I have a two female cousins who are teachers, one in particular went in with no strong political views, and now she seems brainwashed. She votes and shops only where the teacher's union tells her to. She wont patronize a store that is non-union, etc. And when she gets together with my other cousin who is also a teacher, er at least used to be, she only worked a few years, then went on disability for chronic fatigue syndrome - that's a condition which the symptom is laziness, LOL. When they get together all they talk about is teacher employment contracts and how they can work less yet get more benefits.

I don't think teaching would be for anyone who likes independence, free-thinking, competitiveness, etc.

PS - my perspective is only from the United States. I am sorry if my comment doesn't fit for the teaching atmosphere in New Zealand.

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Submitted by Kris on Fri, 2013-03-15 06:13

FYI, about teacher's salaries in the USA....

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20121114/news/711149940/?interstitial=1

from article:

"Maine Township High School District 207 in Park Ridge topped the list with an average teacher salary for 2011-'12 of $116,044. In stark contrast, tiny Emmons Elementary District 33 in far Northwest suburban Antioch was the lowest-paying district surveyed with an average salary of $47,624"

Remember they work 9 months out of the year and most school days are 6 hours long. In middle school and high school they have a free hour set aside to do grading and paperwork. They also have paid days with no students for "lesson planning". I don't think teachers do much work after hours or at home.

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Submitted by Kris on Fri, 2013-03-15 14:51