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The Christchurch Civic
Creche Case |
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CHILDREN AT WORK: Kew Pacific
Island Early Childhood Centre assistant supervisor and teacher Mike Richards
getting the children into some "manly play" , hammering in the wood
work area ROBYN EDIE/Southland Times Invercargill early childhood
education teacher Mike Richards loves his job and could not imagine doing
anything else. Switching from pizza-maker to
teacher about nine years ago was the best decision he has ever made, he
reckons. The rewards were just as great for him as for his female colleagues.
Yet he's a statistical rarity. Nationally there is a huge
shortage of male early childhood education teachers, with just 132 men, and
more than 13,000 women. In 2005, male teachers made up
less than 1 percent of the total teacher numbers, dropping from almost 1.5
percent in 1998 and more than 2 percent in 1992. Mr Richards said he could not
understand why more men were not entering the workforce, but thought false
perceptions played a large role. "(Children) need role models.
(They need to know) that men are
okay and safe to have cuddles with. That it's okay to come to a bloke
if they hurt themselves." With the long hours many parents
were working, children were losing the male role models, which was a tragedy,
he said. "Some dads are working two
jobs and just don't have time to spend with their wee ones." The father of four said he had not
been the victim of any sideways looks or nasty comments from parents or
members of the public for being a male early childhood teacher, although he
thought it helped he was married with children. "It's never bothered me, I
have had nothing but enthusiasm, motivation and encouragement from other
teachers and parents," Mr Richards said. Male teachers bring a different perspective
to learning, and it was important for children to be exposed to that, he
said. Female teachers were often more
cautious, whereas men were a bit more adventurous – while still staying safe,
and create different games and scenarios, he said. Boys require a different type of
teaching and need active games to burn off their extra energy, but Mr
Richards always made sure the girls got involved, too. Pillow fights and rugby tackles
were just some of the ways he kept the children active, he said. "For too long boys haven't
been releasing their energy and we (male teachers) know how that feels."
Last month, he was involved in the
first early childhood education male teacher summit, held in Christchurch as
part of the Early Childhood Council's annual conference.Called the "Kiwi
Men Can Do Anything Summit", it focused on the issues surrounding the
small numbers of male teachers and developing strategies for getting more men
into the job. The actions of a small minority
have tainted the reputation of all male teachers, which was something they
focused on at the conference. "People kept bringing up
(Christchurch early childhood teacher convicted of sexually abusing children)
Peter Ellis until someone said 'stop'. He doesn't need to ruin it for
everyone," Mr Richards said. He said for many the job can be
isolating, being the only male teacher in a centre, or in training, but being
able to get together with other teachers was encouraging and positive.Signs
have been put up at Mr Richards' workplace, Kew Pacific Island Early
Childhood Centre, encouraging fathers to give the job a go. "I don't think people
actually realise they can do this job. Men would be surprised at how much
enjoyment and satisfaction you get out of this job," he said. Mr Richards trained at the
southern campus of the Dunedin College of Education after speak-ing with a
student there and deciding it was something he wanted to do. His first job was in Nelson at
Grove St Kindergarten, before moving south to work at Kew Pacific Island
Early Childhood Centre. He said the centre was great
because they have a strong focus on whanau and family. "To me it's not a job, it's a
lifestyle." He loves that every day is different and brings new
challenges. "I love the freedom of the
job, and working with the kids. These kids at this age are so cool." Because there is no set
curriculum, the teachers can work with the children's specific interests. |
