Stereotypes

As a male working in the Foundation Stage of a primary school I often find myself tarnished with stereotypes. All are simply wrong.

I will use this blog to address some of these theories.

1. You work with young children - you must be gay?

 WRONG. I am 100% straight, in a happy heterosexual relationship with my girlfriend. 

2.You work with young children - you must be a pervert? 

WRONG! I am 100% not a pervert, i simply enjoy working with the younger children because I love seeing the dramatic rate of progress they make and I feel it is important to have male role models lower down the school, especially with the high number of single parent (usually mothers) in my local area.

3. You work with young children - you must not be able to cope with older children?

I also spend time running after school clubs and trained in KS2 so clearly have the skills and ability to manage the behaviour of older children.

4. You are a man - you must be available for lifting / general DIY tasks?

WRONG! Yes I am the only male working in the school but that does not mean I automatically want to do handy man tasks. The worst case of this stereotype is when it is assumed I will happily lift huge constructions at the drop of a hat! I do have other jobs to do you know!!

Parents and colleagues share some of these views. I just wanted to set the record straight.

Rant over.