Time to recruit more male teachers

Everyone knows that boys, of all ages, need men of good character as role models to help them grow into respectful, caring and moral young men. It is even beneficial for young girls to interact with these type of men in keeping those girls’ highest potential and best interest at heart! But where are the men we need? Where are those role models? More and more of our society is experiencing absent fathers for different reasons. And unfortunately, more and more of our schools are without male teachers. Even many of our nation’s high schools are staffed only with 25 percent male teachers. Currently less than 9 percent of elementary teachers are men. There are only two male teachers at my teaching site. Any elementary school in the Valley with more would be an exception.

Today, we need men teachers in our schools more than ever before. With more boys adrift, detached from society by dropping out of school, hanging out in the streets, filling our youth detention facilities and drug treatment centers, good male role models are desperately needed. From elementary to high school, male teachers could be the role models for our “adrift” young boys and for the girls that are “hanging” with those boys. Boys and girls would see, first hand, how those older, mature men interact with the female teachers on the staff, with respect, courtesy and admiration for their skills. I believe many students lack that opportunity to see healthy, appropriate and caring relationships between males and females. Besides teaching them the necessary skills to be successful in life, they would have the added benefit, and just as important, the modeling of healthy relationships. In addition, boys would also see appropriate behaviors between male teachers and each other. Most importantly, boys could see disagreements handled with respect, dialogue and consensus without violence. Quite frankly, boys are killing each other in our communities throughout society.

Why don’t more men become teachers? The answer has two parts, salaries and lack of respect. The most obvious is lack of a living salary. Many men cannot afford to raise a family with a mortgage, fuel costs, food and clothes for children on a teacher’s salary. In short, men cannot meet the necessities of life on a teacher’s salary. Many beginning teachers are already easily in debt $30, 000 because of college loans to get the first degree. A family man could afford a teaching career if he has a second job, which many have, or a supportive wife with an income. A Mat-Su teacher with three years of teaching experience, a master’s degree and two children is eligible for reduced school lunch. And then teachers are required to take “re-certifiaction” classes (six college credits every five years) for an additional added expense as a teacher. How can one afford to be a teacher?

However, the saddest reason of why there are fewer men in teaching is the lack of respect coming from society for teachers. To add to that, teachers are increasingly seen by our politicians as “the problem” with public schools — not “teaching” enough, students not “learning” enough. They are not valued, period. Teaching is seen as a “second-class” job. Many men move into administration for a “man’s job,” and obviously for more money. On a personal level, the message is loud and clear. As a man, you need a “successful” job. I remember a friend telling me his dad said, “If you cannot get into medicine, you can always teach.” Teaching is not seen as the first “career option” for many young men. Most young men don’t choose to become teachers at a time when they are needed the most, and they have always been needed.

Can we change this? Can we attract more strong men to become teachers? The short answer is, yes. Society can show the profession respect by paying teachers a professional wage that will support a family. Society can also encourage young men to become teachers where they can help boys become fine young men. The new message needs to be, “We want the best; we will pay for the best, to teach our children to become the best!”

A sidebar: My son graduated from Harvard. He said Wall Street was offering a six-digit salary for any graduate, with any degree. He told me they just want intelligent people, and are willing to pay for what they are worth.

And teachers are worth it!

Michael P. Carson is a 33-year Alaska veteran public school teacher and a Valley teacher.