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I definitely thinks there is a lot of truth to that. I know for a fact that many parents in my community treat me (a middle-age, white male) much differently than they teach my female colleagues.

We have this event every year called Curriculum Night. Parents come to the school and follow their kids’ schedule for the night so they can meet teachers and get an idea of what each class will cover for the year.

A co-worker of mine has endorsements for ELL, gifted kids, and more. She was a professional journalist for the Chicago Tribune for 15 years before she started teaching. She has two masters degrees. She even said all of this in her presentation. A dad grilled her for 3-4 minutes about her credentials. He wasn’t convinced that she was qualified to teach his son how to write.

This man had twins. My colleague had his son, and I had his daughter that year. When he was in my room, he never once questioned my qualifications, even though I did not have a masters degree at the time, I have no additional endorsements, and I worked in a factory for 20 years prior to teaching. I also said all of that in my presentation.

I know one anecdote is not proof of anything, but that’s also not the only time I’ve seen it happen.

likehelpful

Ims1 Not sure that your experience was because your a man but I hold dedicated male teachers in high regard because I think we need more of their influence in the classroom as role models.

likesmart

As with most things there is no single explanation. Being a traditionally female role is part of it, but more specifically it was largely meant as a temporary job for unmarried women without families. It wasn't seen as a real career until relatively recently. Then there is the fact that it is a government service job, not one in the private sector where there is an obvious profit. Our pay has to be covered by the taxpayers. It is also a low risk job with high job security, and most teachers are very replaceable (sorry). Not true of all teachers, but if all you are concerned about is a body in the classroom, most teachers could be replaced within a week's time, which doesn't give much leverage. Certain positions are harder to fill, but as (mostly) union job with equitable pay regardless of certification area, teachers of in-demand subjects generally can't leverage that into better pay.

likesmart
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Women aren’t seen as valuable as men. Any older woman who has worked in a mixed workforce knows this and has most likely directly experienced this in one way or another.

Most professions where the majority of the workforce is women, the pay will be lower. We’re getting better but we have a long way to go!

likesmartfunny

I believe the requirements and standards in CA are much higher than most states, which is something I would highly endorse. That also seems to translate to average salary as California typically ranks towards the top of the pay scale for teachers. I imagine if most states came close to Cali in terms of average salary, this topic would not be discussed as often.

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Perhaps we should do something about the idea that teaching is woman's work. I am male. I have been teaching for 29 years. My dad taught before me.

With the push for equality, equality in the elementary schools need to be achieved. Therefore, many of the female teachers will have to leave so that men can have those public school jobs. This will be very good for the kids to see more males in their life.

Now the opposite may be required in Middle and high schools. If more than 50% of th teachers are male then they will have to be moved out so we can put more women in to secondary schools. That's if.

Public schools for EQUALITY.

likefunny

Ditch equity - its a lie.
Let's go for equality.

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I disagree. I believe it is more the culture of education not being valued. Education as a whole needs to be valued and not seen as something kids have to get though. I believe if it were valued we would see less truancy and dropouts.

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Men get paid the same thing, so that’s pure nonsense about it being a woman’s work!

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I don't believe in the current wage gap agenda....but I can totally see the discrepancy historically. It does make sense that certain professions/occupations which were historically 'women's work' are paid lower wages.
IMS, NMHS2, the men in the profession are also suffering lower wages, due to history. Back in the day, they were like...."these women don't need much because they'll find a good, strong man to support them."

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Historically, yes. HS teachers also used to get paid more than lower grades (there were more men teaching HS). Some argue that teachers would be paid more if there were more male teachers. Should not be, but probably is, true. Women used to lose their teaching jobs for getting married or having a child.

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As a male teacher, I know I am underpaid. I am valued by the people who matter the most -- the students and most parents. I think we underpay teachers for a number of reasons -- and I think we need to continue to demand livable salaries. Nobody has ever told me (to my face) that teaching is woman's work -- and I doubt anyone ever will. I am proud to be a teacher.

likeuplifting

this isn't only true in k-12 but post grad studies as well.

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I read an article a while back (I don't remember where) that explained ONE reason for our underpayment is because the profession is predominately women and because the majority of those women are married or living with someone. It explained that the benefit of having a second income makes it harder to "feel" how sad our pay is. The author also feels that's why more teachers don't stand up and demand higher pay. If the feeling of poverty doesn't affect you, then it's probably easier to not march, complain, strike, etc.

I think that article hit me so hard because I was married when I became a teacher. When I got divorced, I was a 7 year teacher with a child, and we just barely got by. I GET IT. I had no idea how paltry my paycheck was until I was supporting 2 on it.

Not long ago, someone on here said we should do it for the love of the profession. That's a joke when you can't pay rent or food. Why SHOULD one of the most important professions in our culture be one with the lowest pay? It's demoralizing.

Of course, I know the same goes for males. I knew a male teacher whose wife was a judge--they were FINE financially. LOL This particular article that I read just focused on women for some reason.

smarthelpful

I think we get paid really well. I do it because I love it. Learned young to live within my means and it has made life pretty special. Dont need all those fancy vacations and new cars, houses and what not.

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One reason I believe is because of a statement made by another ignorant person who stated "those who cannot do...teach..." or something like that. Either way...another reason in my humble opinion is that America as a whole ideologizes the generally uneducated celebrity as opposed to people like doctors, lawyers, scientists, and of course teachers. America generally worships athletes, singers, actors, and other performers. I am sure that there are some or even many of those people who are educated..but I would guess that it does not take much intellectuality to basically do what they do. Yes, it takes talent...but not much intellect. Somewhere I read that if every singer, actor, entertainer, athlete were to be gone from the planet...the rest of us would survive just fine...but get rid of the sanitation work or the teacher and within a generation, we would destroy ourselves.

likeuplifting

I disagree... We're underpaid because schools are generally funded through a property tax - which people fight - and because the only part of school funding that is widely supported is athletics.

likefunny

You are not underpaid first misconception

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I think there’s some truth to this.

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undevalued and underpaid I will 100% agree with but I am a male teacher and in my opinion calling ity woman's work is sexist. I think we are undervalued because the education system is not a priority to politicians...EITHER SIDE. They use education reform as a byline to get elected and then forget about it once they are in.

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I disagree with your point about EITHER side. We all know that unionized blue states have better teacher salaries than red states. The democrats in CA are at least half interested in public ed (some actually are duped by charter schools.) All GOP are anti public education (see school choice, vouchers, defund ed, pension killers, etc.) Unions tend to support democrats for reasons.

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Historically, that is the root of it. Read "The Teacher Wars." I found it eye-opening!

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Then I’m proud to be a woman even though I’m a heterosexual male. I identify as a teacher. Those that think it’s a woman’s job doesn’t have a clue and probably still lives at home with their mother and are just now returning from Bingo. We shape the future. What’s more important? Sadly it’s not an extremely bright world 🌎.

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Education isn't valued anymore, and by extension, neither are teachers.

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I think teachers are not undervalued and underpaid. ( especially in the districts around me). They make a good salary in the districts around me. Teachers are respected from the community. Most teachers in my district get paid $70,000 to $100,000 unless you have taught for only a few years.
If you want underpaid talk a out thr subs and paras. I have been a sub for 23 years. I have made $25 more a day and no benefits. We are the ones who are underpaid

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