My name is Eliza McWilliams and I am an Ed.D. candidate at Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. As part of my doctoral research, I am conducting a study on male teachers working in early childhood education (prekindergarten) in public schools. The study will focus on the problem posed by the lack of male teachers in ECE in conjunction with the need for more male teachers to serve as positive role models for young children, particularly those from fatherless households.
The study will consist of 45-minute individual interviews with male teachers currently working in prekindergarten in a public school. The interview will consist of open-ended questions that will allow me to explore your views and experiences as a male teacher working in early childhood education. I am seeking your permission to accomplish this interview at a time and location that are most convenient for you.
There are no known risks to your involvement in this study. Confidentiality, privacy, and anonymity procedures (use of pseudonym names / numbers) for participants and schools will be employed. Electronic data stored on USB drives and recorded data on tapes will be encrypted protected. All information regarding this study will be secured in a locked filing cabinet. Your participation is completely voluntary. If at any time you wish to discontinue participation, you may do so with no penalty.
If you would like more information before you decide to grant permission, please email me at mcwillej@cmich.edu or klock1ba@cmich.edu. If you feel that no further information is needed, please complete the information below indicating your decision to allow me to schedule an interview for the purpose of completing this research. The form can be scanned and emailed to mcwil1ej@cmich.edu or mailed to 337 EHS, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan 48859. I will provide you with a copy of this letter and retain the original for my files. Once I have received your approval, I will coordinate an interview date and location that are convenient for you.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Eliza McWilliams