Do you think it is appropriate for a school to have a male kindergarten teacher?

I recently went to the school my daughter will be attending in the fall. I was hoping to enroll her for the full-day kindergarten program. I discovered there is only one teacher for this program and it is a male teacher. This makes me uncomfortable with all of the recent news reports. Should I be concerned? I also feel men do not have the ability to be caring and nuturing in the same way a woman can. This is so important in the first year of school. Has anyone had an experience with a male kindergarten teacher?

Parent Answers to "Do you think it is appropriate for a school to have a male kindergarten teacher?"

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It is certainly ok for a scholl to employ a male kindergarten teacher. My son had a male teacher at his daycare for VPK, unfortunately half way through the school year he left to be a stay home daddy for his newborn son. The kids all loved him, and I have seen plenty of female teachers of little ones that were not as caring and nurturing as he was, some females were downright hateful. I moved my child at the age of 2 from a daycare for that reason, I would not subject him to a mean teacher he didn't like for an entire year at that young age. He had been at that daycare since he was 10 months old, and this teacher that gave me the desire to move him was female. I say let the men teach if they have the desire and capability!!

This is an absurd question to me! Has this teacher given you a reason to be distrustful of him? I can understand wanting to protect your child and totally agree on the importance of the Kindergarten year. But please, you have to at least give him a chance.

Yes, it is appropriate! I was a Kinder teacher and loved it. The kids loved me, and so did the parents. Give the guy a chance.

I am a father with three daughters.
If I was concerned I would go volunteer in the classroom.
Spend more time at the school and observe how he interacts with the kids.
Be a parent volunteer at the school.
Ask for copy of his qualifications in writing, you do not need to give a reason for this.
How long has he taught?
Can you talk to other parents of his students from last year?

Mr. Speaker Wire

Good question. Just be very careful you don't allow your fears to be known by your child. Children are much more accepting and open than we are but also sometimes can navigate in another direction depending on the views of the parent. It really should'nt be an issue.

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