I have always thought that being an African American male in early childhood education would encourage parents to really want their child to learn and succeed in my classroom. Sometimes I do see it and sometimes I don't. I have learned that some people don't find it normal for a male to work with preschoolers. It's okay if they teach in elementary, but not preschool and I am usually stereotype by others, especially parents because of my gender in this field. I recall a time when I had a little girl that started in my class. I noticed when I spoke to her she seemed scared. When her mother finally met me she said, "I would like for my child to go in another teacher's class. I do not want her to have a male teacher." I didn't know what to say because I've never had a parent to request something like this because of my gender. I directed her to my center director. My director told her that if she have a problem with an male teacher to take her child elsewhere, and the parent did.
This really made me depressed for some months because I never thought that people really felt that way because of my gender. It made me interact less with my students, especially my girls because I was always thinking about what that mother said about me. It had me to really question my career. I didn't feel the same way about teaching preschoolers like I used to. The only way I bounced back was from talking to my best friend. She have been a preschool teacher for a long time and she gave my the courage to keep on teaching. She told me, "Mr. Curry, you are an awesome teacher! You're going to face some stereotype from people because of your gender and race in this profession. Be strong and ignore them and keep changing the lives of these children. They need you!" I felt what she was saying. Her kind words changed me and made me to become to best teacher that I am today. Thank you Rhonda Hooks for your kind words!
Hi Cris,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog. That was a very unfortunate experience that you had to endure. It's hard to believe that people actually think and behave in that matter today. Reading your blog it seemed to me that you had stereotyped in two forms. It appears also that you were African American and you were male. Parents need to realize that we need role models and every color and race. I want to know is the director couldn't handle the situation in the different manner instead of telling the parent that she should remove her child from the school. I don't believe that resolved the issue but just placed a “bandaid” on a deeper issue. A lesson on diversity would have been good for that parent. I'm happy that the other teacher was able to reassure you, and to affirm you good quality as a male teacher.
Great blog and I hope you will never have that experience again.
Angela.
Chris,
ReplyDeleteI applaud your perseverance as you continue to teach despite the gender bias shown you. In my school the only male teachers are in the middle school wing, and we do not have any African American male teachers. Our population is 40% children of color, and I think having a more gender and racially diverse staff would be a great benefit for the children. When we are an all white all female staff, it sends the wrong message-that we do not practice what we teach with regard to inclusion- to the families. Keep changing lives and opening minds, and maybe you can help the next generation of students understand their gender does not limit their career goals.
Chris,
ReplyDeleteWay to not give in when times got tough! Teaching is such a challenging profession on so many fronts. It's so important to have a support group to pick you back up. Derman-Sparks and Edwards state that anti-bias education is possible to participate in on an independent level. However, having colleagues and families who support you make the journey that much more effective and meaningful. They keep up your momentum when it becomes difficult (2010).
Reference
Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, D.C.: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Great Post!!!! You don't really find too many males in this profession especially African American ones. It might not have even been you something might have happened to the little girl and she wasn't comfortable around males. I know that it made you feel some type of way but you should never let your problems take away your joy of teaching.
ReplyDeleteDominique