As I substitute teach at my lovely school, I hear this often: “It’s so nice to see a man here!” And I wonder: Where are all the male role models? The school certainly has an overabundance of female staff. Not counting custodians, well, I will. They interact with the kids quite a bit and they are pretty cool folks.

Okay, counting support staff such as custodial and Special Ed. TAs, there are six men working at this school. There are seven grades, Pre K – 5, with about three classes in each grade. Each grade seems to have a go-to for Special Ed and most Special Ed students have a TA with them all day. There is a counselor, art teacher, reading teacher,
gym (PE) teacher, and several other various staff. All women.

Where are all the male teachers? Of the male staff, One is a full-fledged classroom teacher and one is the principal. Kids need a positive male role model, and I have become one. It does make me feel good to walk by kids I’ve “taught” and have them say “Hey, Mr. Abel!” There have been a few kids I was warned about who were great with me and it’s hard not to say it’s because I’m a man.

It really makes me glad I am going into teaching. And I think that’s what I’ll stop at unless I change careers from Education to something else. I still want to start an Outdoor school, but I will spend a few years in school. It seems like most kids get their male role model solely from Dad, which is good if Dad is around. My best friend, Kevin (five), has a dad who is with the kids a lot. They don’t need to worry too much. They are also surrounded by male staff at the camp. Lucky.

But, most kids don’t have that luck. Their fathers, bless them still, are working hard to support the family. Yes, mom works in most families, but kids still spend most of the time with Mom. Why is this? Do a hefty Google search and take the time to read – Kids need more positive male role models.

No matter how many welding classes they take, women cannot fill this void. Kids need equal parts. I grew up with my mom and dad and Dad spent a lot of time with me. He coached teams I was on. He watched all my plays. Sometimes it was annoying, but it was good for me. I saw Dad’s strengths and his faults and I learned how to be a man. Boys need to learn how to be a real Man. Girls need to learn how to be real Women. Both need role models of both genders so they can do these things.

Note: By Real Men and Real Women, I do not mean general stereotypes from the fifties. I mean well-rounded individuals.  People who aren’t embarressed to do anything.  A Real Man knits if he wants to.  A Real Women changes her own oil if she wants to.  A Real Man plays football if he wants to.  A Real Women spends time making the family dinner if she wants to.  They are people who do things the best they can and are proud.

To end this tangent:  Why say Woman and Man instead of Person?  Because you shouldn’t be ashamed of who you are.  I am a Man, and I’m not apologizing for the others in my gender.  I see no reason to be ashamed of my gender.  So I am a human, yes.  I am a Person.  But I am a Man.  And that’s that.

I am a strong male role model.  I show the kids I work with what Men do.  It’s pretty much the same as Women.