Elementary schools are hoping to increase the total number of male student teachers available. Male student teachers have been in short supply and gender-related teaching style stereotypes are still an existing issue.
For two decades, the population of male student teachers in elementary and middle school has been averaging at only about 16 percent. Schools are looking for ways to lure men into taking the career path to meet the growing need.
WXOW reports that at La Crescent Elementary School in La Cross, Wisconsin, there is only one male student-teacher and five male teachers on staff in the current school year.
The lone male student teacher, Garrett Soper, shared that the necessity for male role models in the classroom is continually on the rise. Soper was a news photographer before deciding to become a male student teacher. He had to take classes and do field work to acquire a Master’s degree and teaching license. According to Soper, male student teachers at elementary and middle school levels also struggle with stereotypes. He explained that there seems to be a prevailing thought that men are not as caring, patient or nurturing with elementary kids, compared to women.
Gender balance inside the classroom is important to the overall status of the education sector, writes The National. Children reportedly respond to female and male student teachers in different ways. This is why both have to be available to serve as role models and help children improve in academics and extracurricular subjects.
Aside from stereotypes, the number of male student teachers still runs low because teaching is not considered as a stable form of employment due to comparatively low salaries, out-of-school assignments and limited opportunities for promotion. Men are generally not attracted to become teachers because they are concerned that they may not adequately support their families financially and have to deal with the social stigma.
There have been efforts to boost the total male student teachers in the United States. Programs have been formed to help remove these stereotypes. The salary of male student teachers in some schools have been increased to entice more applicants. Incentives have also been provided to lure more men into trying the profession. Some realize that they actually enjoy being in a classroom with kids and make the shift. Letting men experience teaching is one of the best ways to grow male student teachers stats.
