During the past fall, I had the opportunity to attend and present at the NAEYC (National Association for Education of Young Children) annual conference in Washington D.C. Reflecting on this, I learned a lot about myself. I was reassured that my unique personality and view from a male perspective is welcomed in the field.
Editorials
Editorial: Men Students Experiencing the NAEYC 2018 Conference in Washington DC
Last month I had the privilege of presenting at the NAEYC conference in Washington D. C. What was even more of an honor and thrill was that I took two of our male students, Dylan and Andrew, to the conference. Together we presented our research about the dispositions men use to engage children in learning. Editorial: I am a man and I want to work with children.
As I enter my final semester of the Elementary Education MAT program at NC State University, I have found myself reflecting upon my experience and seeking to understand my journey as a man entering the field of EE. I think back to the beginning – to when I was first deciding if teaching was right for me – to when I read this article that ultimately pushed me to go for it.
Men Teaching: In the Face of Adversity
After finishing up my student teaching placement and having time to reflect on all the challenges, accomplishments, peaks and valleys, I realized never to judge something before you get the chance to experience it. When I found out that I would be doing one of my student teaching placements in a four-year-old kindergarten classroom, I immediately had mixed emotions. Editorial: Who Do Others Say You Are?
Who are you to others? This question has often crossed my mind when I think about how I fit into this world.Editorial: Honoring All Who Make a Difference
Summertime brings celebrations; many which pay tribute and honor to those who have gone before us. At the end of May, we celebrated Memorial Day; a day dedicated to the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. On July 4th we commemorated our freedom and on Labor Day we will honor working people. Each of us pay tribute in our own way through our celebrations of these holidays.
Editorial - I survived - my first year of teaching
Much like the chaos of a zombie apocalypse, a new teacher's first year in the classroom can be stressful and overwhelming. There are swarms of elementary students asking to go to the bathroom, help with homework, and continuous requests to borrow a pencil. Luckily, I survived.Helping a young children deal with fear of men teachers
I have always loved playing with young children, especially infants and toddlers. However, when I was younger I never envisioned myself as a teacher. Many years ago, my good friends unexpectedly had colicky twins and they really needed help. That changed my life. That experience unintentionally lead me into teaching. Now it is one of my biggest passions. It is a huge part of my family life. Editorial - The Power of the Profession
The frequent reports of gun shootings in communities and especially in schools, leave us in disbelief. The media’s portrayal of the scenes impacts our perceptions and attitudes about teaching. As a professor of early childhood education, this horrific news makes it challenging to teach an Introduction to Early Childhood course that is intended to welcome and convince students about the joys that come with teaching. Editorial - One Woman in a Sea of Men
Twenty-five years ago, while attending the National Association of Education of Young Children (NAEYC) conference for the first time, I became interested in the male perspective of teaching young children. It was during this conference that I found myself drawn to presentation topics given by men in early childhood education. While the issues presented about young children were parallel to those that women presented, there was something unique about the demonstration style and the message carried by the male speakers.
Editorial - Thursday’s Table: A Heartfelt Opportunity
My name is Caleb Schulz and I am currently an Early Childhood Education Major at UW-Stout. I chose this major to potentially make a difference in young lives and inspire future generations. I have been involved in the Men in Education group since my freshman year and have grown closer to my classmates doing so. Everything we do as an organization we do together, that is what makes the group of guys so special. Editorial: Leadership – A Males Perspective
I come from a family of 5, that includes my parents and a younger brother and sister, each of us 4 to 5 years apart. Growing up, I helped my siblings gain skills and knowledge that I acquired from my own experiences. These included riding a bike, reading a book, training for a sport and aspects of becoming a leader. Editorial: Men - Adopt a School
I am a junior at UW-Stout and I am from Plum City, Wisconsin. Plum City is a small town southwest of Menomonie and has less than 600 residents. I have two siblings; an older brother who is a Physical Education teacher and a sister who is in her senior year at UW-La Crosse. Editorial: Oh, the Places We Will Go
Another year has begun and the excitement of students returning to campus has been refreshing and hopeful. There is nothing like a break away from our daily routines to engage in purposeful reflection resulting in a rejuvenated spirit. This renewed attitude makes me wonder about the places we will go!
Editorial: The Unsuspecting Mentor
In my 27 years in the field of education, there is one responsibility for all teachers that has remained somewhat consistent throughout my career. It is the open acknowledgment that, in addition to ensuring that students learn the curricular content for any given grade level, there is also the role of creating a positive relationship with students. Editorial: Amazing Mentors in Your Building
It began with humor and the connection with every student and colleague. Mr. Greg Lenn is an amazing teacher, father, husband, colleague, friend, and mentor. For over 20 years, Greg has given back to many people in his role as second grade teacher at Malone Elementary School in Prescott, Wisconsin. Editorial: School's Out for Summer
So, it appears that the end of a year is just about as hectic as the beginning with loose ends to tie up before vacation officially begins. As I go through the ritual of preparing for the end of another school year, I continually think about the past year. I assure myself that this reflection is the obligation of a reflective practitioner, however, I question whether dwelling on the things that could have been done better is productive. And certainly, I recognize that the saying "we are our toughest critic" is true!
Editorial: The Ripple Effect - The Importance of Connections
Every day, teachers connect with students, their families, administration, and the community at large. We know all too well that a lack of connection will impact the building of relationships and the learning that occurs. The reality of college teaching is that connections with students vacillate and dissipate as students earn their degree and move into the teaching profession. Dreams Becoming Reality - A Career for A Man
Growing up, teaching never jumped out to me. I never noticed it as a career opportunity or the career I would end up pursuing. Instead, I always thought on a bigger scale such as sports broadcasting or becoming a sports journalist. However, through many personal experiences and self-reflection, I eventually saw teaching as an ideal fit. Professionalism in Education: A Perspective from a Male Student Teacher
If you ask every teacher and staff member in an elementary school to give their definition of professionalism, chances are, every definition will be different. Many responses hit on some similarities to the definition, but in all reality the word holds a different meaning for everybody. So, how do you know if you are showing professionalism? What if your definition is totally different than a colleague? Editorial: A New Twist to Resolutions
Happy New Year! Time is flying by, apparent as the calendar turns to February. Hopefully, you are on target and feeling success in maintaining any New Year resolutions you set.
MenTeach has had millions of hits
MenTeach: A few readers have asked how much web traffic does our site have. MenTeach.org has been around since April 2002. We've had one revision of our site back starting February 2007. You'll see below that we've had over 2.4 millions hits in the last two years. The software that tracks our site traffic screens out the spambots (as best it can).
The key is that the site continues to grow in popularity.
Year Unique Visits Pages Hits MBytes
The key is that the site continues to grow in popularity.
Year Unique Visits Pages Hits MBytes
Editorial: The List Maker
Every year around the Christmas holiday when I hear the words to this famous carol, "making a list, checking it twice" I smile to myself. You see, I consider myself the queen of lists because I carefully create and re-create lists daily. Are you a list maker? Did you know that there are many reasons why people create lists?
Students Of Color Increasing And Teachers Of Color Not - Here’s Why And What We Can Do About It
Promoting diversity to increase the number of Black male teachers, and Hispanic male teachers, in public schools is vital to improving the educational outcomes for boys and young men of color to put them on a path to success.Editorial: With Gratitude for the Gifts
Gratitude is the quality of being thankful, showing appreciation for, and returning kindness. Having just celebrated Thanksgiving, it is impossible to negate the meaning of the holiday especially from the perspective of an educator.
Sometimes, in the day-to-day happenings of being a teacher it is easy to become overwhelmed when negative aspects of teaching come into focus. At those times I attempt to shift my thinking from the undesirable characteristics to the multitude of gifts that come from being a part of the teaching profession.
Sometimes, in the day-to-day happenings of being a teacher it is easy to become overwhelmed when negative aspects of teaching come into focus. At those times I attempt to shift my thinking from the undesirable characteristics to the multitude of gifts that come from being a part of the teaching profession.
Editorial: My father was a teacher
For a little over a decade, my life has been dedicated to the growth and success of students of all ages - university students, high/middle school students, and for the last eight years, elementary students. Editorial: The Table of Knowledge (T.O.K.)
Happy New Year! While I realize this is a phrase we use in January, not September, the start of a new school year does resemble the beginning of a new year in many ways. Teachers spent time in the summer exploring new subject matter they will teach. They may also have re-designed teaching strategies and practices to improve their personal and professional relationships with students and colleagues.
Should a daycare notify parents about male caregivers?
Society is a fluid and changing thing. Caring for a child is also fluid. The way people behaved even a few years ago draws very different reactions today. In this torrent of changing opinions is the perception of men as caregivers.
There are more expectations and opportunities for men to be involved in children's lives. But what happens when a male caretaker is not a father, not a relative, but a daycare worker?
There are more expectations and opportunities for men to be involved in children's lives. But what happens when a male caretaker is not a father, not a relative, but a daycare worker?
Why recruiting more men of color isn’t enough to solve our teacher diversity problem
A few months ago, I helped teach a lesson about gender assumptions in the workforce. My students brainstormed a whole list of male-associated jobs: construction worker, bus driver, engineer. Not one suggested teacher.It didn’t matter if the classroom was predominantly female, male, freshmen, upperclassmen. The answer always implied the same: I, a black man, wasn’t supposed to be in the classroom.
Change: From acceptance to serenity
Change…it is inevitable and constant. In fact, "There is nothing permanent except change" (Heraclitus). Sometimes changes are welcome and yet at other times, change leaves me struggling with acceptance.
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