Bryan G Nelson

Yes!!

Kitt is so correct and I appreciate him sharing his perspective.

In fact, I loved working with young children.

Bryan

Thanks for your comments. I agree with you that it is important for men to change diapers.

I know it DOES sound strange and contradictory that people say that they want more men (viz. fathers) to care for their children but you are correct that many men are restricted from working with babies and this exclusion represents something.

In my experience, many people are afraid of men. They are afraid men are going to harm young children, especially sexually. They usually cite the data that more men harm young children then women.

First, I share everyone’s desire to have children be safe. I never want a child to be hurt by ANYONE. But the information about men harming children is distorted because it doesn’t focus on all the types of harm that happens to children and who is perpetrator is. The data shows that a child is more likely to be harmed in their own home then in schools or centers. Rather than restrict men from changing babies diapers, it’s really necessary to develop policies that protect our children from ALL people.

Too often those policies are about restricting men and in some cases all teachers from giving ANY touch to children. That is an absolutely ludicrious plan. Children need caring touch otherwise they do not thrive. There are many studies showing how harmful it is for children to not receive nurturing touch.

It is better to have policies where no teachers (male or female) is alone with children. That there be a thorough screening of employees (viz. references, background checks) and proper supervision. And there needs to be an open door policy for parents to come visit the program at any time.

Finally, there is no question about making certain our children are safe. And we also need to challenge the stereotypes about men and work to help young boys learn about nurturing to help men grow up to be caring men and we also need to restrict access by women who harm children so that the cycle of harm is stopped.

Bryan

Hi, Merritt (and others),

Sorry I haven’t replied sooner, it’s been quite busy here at MenTeach. I’d love to talk with you more about your research. I’ve sent an e-mail that hopefully you received.

Will you be in Chicago at the NAEYC conference?

Bryan

P.S. Which DVD did you order?

There is a good resource for finding teaching jobs, not in all markets or regions, in select markets.

This is taken from their site:

Recruitment Programs and Initiatives for Traditionally Certified Teachers
In addition to its alternate routes to certification, TNTP operates other recruitment initiatives designed to attract and hire high-quality teachers who are already licensed to teach.

These include:
* Oakland City Teacher Corps
* Teach KIPP-YES (Houston, TX)
* Teach California Charters NEW!
* Teach Charleston NEW!
* Teach Memphis
* TeachNOLA (New Orleans, LA)

You’ll find additional lists of resources here: Resources

It really depends on where you live AND what age/subject you teach.

Chicago has a glut of teachers and teacher education programs.

Check out this posting:

Some districts are paying bonuses

If you teach special education – you can pretty much write your ticket anywhere in the USA.

So – unfortunately, you may have to move.

Bryan

Good questions.

I think it’s extremely important to have a mentor that can help one work through any problems. My concern comes from your statement that you received no guidance or feedback. The reason we spend time as students is so that we can learn.

Look through the website and you’ll find some articles that address some of your questions.

What are you doing now?

Let us know.

Bryan

I really enjoyed the story of your work and career. Fascinating!

I meet so many interesting men working in this field and and always reminded how fortunate children are to have such good men in their daily lives.

Thanks so much for sharing your story.

Bryan

Hi, Melinda,

Good questions.

First, when my own children first attended school, when both my son and daughter first started school they sometimes were nervous (they had female teachers) and my son had stomach aches. We helped him by playing with him and talking about it. The play was the best thing to do since he couldn’t always explain or articulate what exactly was making him nervous.

So – it happens for boys and girls for any new situation.

Second, I think it’s great to talk with the teacher. I always wanted parents to come to me with any concern. Obviously, I don’t know the male teachers so cannot say whether it is their gender or whether their style of teaching or personality.

Again – I think the best approach is to – in a nonconfrontational manner – ask for the teacher’s help in resolving the child’s concerns.

I’d love to hear what you figured out with your 4th grade male teacher. Did you ever have another male teacher again in later grades? How did that go?

Bryan