After retiring, I found that I missed daily interactions with people— the students, staff, and parents are the lifeblood of a school. At the university, I have new friends and acquaintances— as much human contact as I want! But it’ s different. As one participant in the study told me,“ A buddy of mine who’ s still in school asked,‘ What do you miss in your retirement?’ I told him the relationships with the kids and the families, for sure.”
As a man who taught in elementary schools, I notice that in my university classes, there are three or four young men in a room full of women. Teaching is still a profession that attracts more women than men, especially at the elementary level. Men who choose to teach in elementary schools are always a minority. There are advantages to this, certainly: male elementary teachers are often hired quickly, parents and kids notice the men, and men are often offered opportunities their female coworkers are not, such as leading sports day or coaching. Yet there are disadvantages, too— some people are suspicious of male teachers. We are sometimes viewed as possible predators. We fear being unjustly accused of inappropriate behaviours with students.
But I believe children have a right to be taught by both men and women. Men and women working together can model positive behaviours for children. Children can be exposed to men who sing, who read picture books, and who play catch outside at recess— to men who like kids. A man’ s presence in schools promotes an alternative, non-violent image of maleness. Thus, one of my goals is to support those young men choosing to teach. How?
Explicit Conversations
We often have conversations with male student teachers about their expectations and experiences. One young man told me he did not know he was a rarity until his first experience in a school. The principal welcomed the group and pointed out that it was great to see a man in the class.
Share Articles
I have shared articles with male student teachers and their classroom mentors about how their gender may impact their profession.
“ Men in Teaching” Series
I delivered five Zoom sessions for and about men who teach.
With the“ retired” instructors who continue to teach, I am part of a community of active older retirees. We continue to identify as“ teacher,” and we never stop teaching. We continue to work at something we love. And as men, we hope to inspire and support the young men who are entering teaching. To all the teachers who have left the classroom behind, consider how much of an impact your experience might make on the next generation of educators.
Garry Jones is an experienced teacher, curriculum specialist, principal, and researcher. He has been teaching for forty-five years, from kindergarten to university. Garry grew up in Calgary and taught for the Calgary Board of Education for thirty-five years. On“ retiring,” he teaches at the Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary.
You can read Garry’ s full research project on not-quite-retired teachers at Jones, G. R.( 2024). The stories of retired male school teachers, now teaching education students at various universities. Prism. University of Calgary. https:// hdl. handle. net / 1880 / 120117
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