Recruitment of male kindergarten teachers gains ground, but slowly
Print Edition
Minhang’s effort to increase the number of men teaching in kindergartens is making slow but steady progress. Education officials say a more balanced staff gender creates the mix of role models that are important in early childhood development.
At present, only 40 teachers, or 1 percent of pre-school staff, are men in the district, but that number is expected to rise.
“We believe men are as important as women in preschool education,” said Ni Bing, an official with the Minhang Education Academy. “Sometimes a father’s presence in a young child’s life is limited by work constraints or by the traditional notion that raising children is a woman’s job. But they need a male role model.”
Among the men now in preschool ranks is Pan Dong, who has been with Yilin Kindergarten for eight years. After graduation, he chose a job in preschool education because he likes working with children. Over the years, he has developed a teaching style that seems to resonate with youngsters.
“In the beginning, I was not sure what kind of tone I should use to talk to the children,” he said. “I tried to imitate women colleagues, using a soft tone and sweet voice, but that didn’t work. It gave me a headache.”
In the end, he decided to just be himself in front of the children. He talked in his natural voice, and sprinkled his words with bits of humor. The children came to adore him.
In 2013, a kindergarten teaching group for men was formed in Minhang. It started with 25 members. It’s a place where male teachers can come together every month to exchange ideas.
“The group is like a second home to these teachers,” said group director Cai Zhigang. “Sometimes male teachers may feel a bit isolated working amid so many women. The group gives them the chance to share information and even vent frustrations.”
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