May, 2008

The National Education Association said men make up only 25 percent of teachers nationwide. But those numbers dwindle further at the elementary level, where 91 percent of teachers are women.

But why are there so few men in our classrooms?

Tyler Shannon teaches fourth grade in the Liberty School District.

"I wanted to get into teaching because I wanted to make a difference," Shannon said.

There's only one male teacher at Massillon's Whittier School near Canton, something experts say is part of national trend.

According to the National Education Association, the number of male teachers in the U.S. is at an all time low...and sinking.

Nationwide, only 1 in 4 teachers is a man, and at the elementary level, its just 1 in 10.

The problem is particularly pronounced in Stark County. Dan Nero, director of elementary instruction for Canton City Schools says he looks for male teachers because some homes lack strong male figures.

The prospect of having more fun on the job and better work-life balance - despite the drop in pay - has been enough to motivate several men with well-paid professional careers to throw caution to the wind and go teaching.

It's been great to meet for the first time as a Leadership Team in person. The topics have been good - a lot of logistics about how to make our global network sustainable. There are so many things happening all over the world and of course it doesn't hurt that we are meeting in Hawai'i.

One of the most enjoyable parts has been listening to the various voices and accents - and with everyone saying: "What do you mean - accent? I don't have a accent, eh, you do!"

John Babcock plops his sturdy frame into a wooden rocking chair in his kindergarten classroom at William Marvin Bass Elementary School.

He leans forward. Students sit on the carpet in front of him, legs crossed, eyes wide. They look up to their very own friendly giant.