How does gender affect the teaching profession?
The teaching profession is affected by gender and gender roles in many different ways. For starters, people who choose the profession of teaching are primarily female and with this can come many downsides. The most obvious downside would be the pay gap between women and men. I feel that because teachers are primarily female, the government can get away with giving teachers low salaries, even though they work really hard. Some will argue that the pay grade for teachers is low because they get summers off, but this is entirely untrue. Teachers spend the summer getting their classrooms ready, lesson planning, buying supplies for the new school year, etc.
Another way teaching is affected by gender roles is by the students in the classroom. As a teacher, you will have students in your classroom that may identify as male or female, or they may identify as something completely different. It is our job to make the students feel included no matter what they identify as because that is not something that should ever affect their education. In an article titled "Protecting Trans Youth" written by Rethinking Schools Editors, it states that we as teachers must "support student efforts to organize against homophobia and transphobia". I feel that this is entirely true because if students feels supported by people such as their teachers, they will be more likely to be true to themselves and want to make a change towards the stereotypes around them. If students do not feel that they are supported by their peers and teachers, they are less likely to use their voice as well as less likely to be able to feel comfortable in their own skin around others.
Hi McKinley! I really liked reading your blog and opinion on gender affecting the teaching profession this week. I like how you start off by saying that the teaching profession is affected by gender and gender roles since this is often seen. I agree with you saying that this wage gap is unfair and the government can get away with this regardless of how hard the teacher works. I like how you mention that a classroom can be affected by the students where there may be more girls or boys present. I agree that as a teacher it is important that each student feel safe and included regardless of factors they cannot control or change. I agree that if students don’t feel supported or heard they are less likely to relate to teachers and speak up in class. Society needs to start recognizing these factors and make changes that could help push for better learning.
ReplyDeleteHi Rylee! Thank you for your response. Teaching is a profession that goes a lot deeper than what people see on the outside. I feel that this stereotype needs to be broken in order for teachers to be more successful in the classroom. I completely agree that society needs to start recognizing these factors and making changes for the benefit of the students.
DeleteHi McKinley! What an excellent blog post! You touched on some really great points. In the beginning of your post with regards to teachers’ gender role and how it affects both pay and respect from the government is a very sad reality that needs to be talked about more. To add on, I find that if we had more male teachers or teachers who identified as something else, it would give hope to students and set real world examples of what possibilities these kids can achieve. You also talk about how it’s important to provide support to students’ identities, do you have any idea as to how you would show this in your classroom? Because like you said, students aren’t going to speak up nor reach their full potential if they feel uncomfortable in their skin. Confidence is extremely fragile which is why it’s important to build at such a young age. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHi Johanna! In order to support students' identities within my classroom, I feel that it is important to educate other students on the different identities and make them socially aware. I feel like some students don't understand simply because they have never been informed. This will make everyone in the classroom feel more comfortable as a whole.
DeleteHi Mckinley! i loved you're blog and the statement you included as well. I do truly agree that our profession shouldn't only be based on our roles and as a person. Most people seem to still have gender roles generated in their mind where they don't see a specific person in a job that they think is not suited for them. I feel that if we urge more male teachers and even those who identify as something else it will create more opportunity for the future students.
ReplyDeleteHi Erianah! Thank you for your response. I think being a teacher can come with a lot of negative stereotypes. I agree that the standard stereotype of being a teacher is definitely being female. I thinking encouraging males to become teachers is a great way to create more opportunity for students in the future.
DeleteHi Mckinley, I think you did a great job on your response. I agree that there are some downsides that come with the teaching profession being dominated by all women, including the pay gap between men and women. I think that it is sad that teachers are given a low paying salary and are not paid enough for all their hard work. Teachers do a lot of work to make sure that their classrooms are run smoothly and are caring for each and every one of their students even on breaks like summer and winter break. I also liked the second part of your post where you touched on gender roles in the classroom. As teachers it is our job to make all of our students feel included and respect what they identify as.
ReplyDeleteHi Willow! Thank you for your response. I completely agree that teachers do so much work to prepare their classrooms and make sure everything will run smoothly over the school year, even over breaks such as winter and summer. I feel like a lot of people do not seem to think about this and think that teachers just have it easy because of summer break.
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ReplyDeleteHi Mckinley! I really enjoyed reading your blog! I would also agree that saying the reason why teachers are paid less is because they have summers off is an invalid argument. Like you explained, teachers use that time to organize their classrooms, collect supplies, and plan out lesson plans. I think that using this argument is a great way from shying a way from the truth. Which is that teachers do not get the salaries they deserve like you said because they are women. Gender not only affects teachers and different aspects of their lives. It greatly affects our students also. Students who are transgender will unfortunately face negativity from society. As teachers we should be adults in their lives who love them and make their lives easier in anyway we can. Like you said we as teachers in a sense set the example for our students. If our students see us actively taking a stand against transphobia they will be inclined to do the same.
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