Teaching is one of the most noble professions one can pursue. Teachers aid in the process of educating the next generation of world citizens and create long-lasting effects on their students. Teachers are influential. Teachers are important. Teachers are female.

Wait, what? Teachers are female? Now, we all know that this is not true and completely sexist. But if I am being honest, this idea is what had been ingrained into my mind up until I reached seventh grade, the year I had my first male teacher.

In total, Carroll ISD only has 11 male teachers in elementary schools, which is creating a lasting perception in our youth that males do not belong in education, as well as depriving children of more positive male role models.

Once I got to middle and high school, men started to have a larger presence in my education. By going through an educational career with an overwhelming amount of female influences, the old-fashioned viewpoint that this profession is meant for a woman was validated. Even when I did get to middle school and began to have more male educators in my life, they were still mostly coaches until I got to high school. This furthered the notion that women are meant for teaching and men are meant for sports. This contributes to the ignorant stereotypes of both men and women and the roles their specific genders have to play in society.

Education is a suitable career for many people, man and woman. And yet, there is no denying that it is more common for women and an unintentional stigma has been created for men pursuing this career. That stigma may derive from the unfortunate fact that educators do not make a whole lot of money and traditionally in society, men are seen as the primary breadwinners in a household. Not only is this unfair to expect of a man, it also reinforces the idea that women are not capable of being the sole provider for a family. Again, a sexist point of view that has been ingrained in our society for as long as anyone can remember. Due to this attitude regarding finances, male teachers are often looked down upon and this societal interpretation may further prevent men from pursuing a career they may have a passion for.

It is crucial that educational institutions have more men working as teachers in order to discontinue the sexist notion that education is a profession only fir for women. Teaching is a profession that is so special and critical that it should not be defined in any way, shape or form. Those who pursue teaching, man or woman, should be respected for educating young minds.