Elementary Teacher Education And Gender

"Elementary Teacher Education and Gender: A Male Perspective" explores and describes the experiences of male pre-service elementary school teachers in the profession that is predominantly female. While the percentage of men and women is becoming more balanced in a growing number of fields, there is one occupation where men are noticeably absent and greatly needed. Male teachers are in demand in U.S. elementary schools and teacher education programs, as a greater focus is placed on the need to diversify the historically female-dominated profession. The book discusses the themes of influences to become elementary school teachers, sources of support and encouragement to join and remain in the profession, lack of positive male role models, gender-specific challenges, and professional identity development. It also gives recommendations for appropriate audiences and further research and suggests implications for recruitment, training, and retention of male elementary school teachers.