Men in Early Childhood Education
Chances are, if you were asked to imagine an Early Childhood education classroom, you’d likely picture a female lead teacher.
This is unsurprising as teaching remains one of the most female dominant professions out there.
Dating back to cultural stereotypes and economic needs, women were often considered the ideal person to fill the shoes of educators throughout the nation and even globally, especially when it comes to Early Childhood and secondary education settings.
As the standards, expectations, and best practices of Early Childhood education continue to evolve, so too do the leaders in this profession. At Sunrise Children’s Foundation in Las Vegas, Nevada, we’re committed to fueling the efforts of quality Early Childhood education.
We do this through the services of educated and skilled male teachers, incorporating novel technologies like AI for teachers, and helping teachers upskill in their craft, so they can provide quality support to their students.
Apply for early Head Start jobs with Sunrise Children’s Foundation.
Why Are There Fewer Men in the Early Childhood Education Space?
There are many reasons why teaching remains to be a heavily female dominated profession. Unfortunately, many of these reasons are rooted in stereotypes, and don’t justify the lack of male teachers in the field. Some of the reasons for fewer males in the classroom include:
- Lower pay: In the early 20th century when women entered the workforce, women have often been recognized as secondary income providers. As a result, they have historically taken on lower paid roles, like teaching.
- Maternal instincts by nature: Teaching requires dedication and caregiving, a skill set that is often recognized as being maternal and inherent to women, naturally leading more women into the field.
- Feminization of teaching throughout history: The teaching profession has been highly marketed toward women, especially as higher education began providing teacher prep programs that targeted women.
What Percentage of Teachers Are Male?
The number of male teachers has been on the rise over the past couple of decades, though women significantly outnumber men in the field. According to the latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics, as reported by Pew Research, men make up 23% of teachers in K-12 education.
Men Are Needed in Early Childhood Education — Here’s Why
Despite the factors that have contributed to the profession being a heavily female-dominated space, now more than ever, the research is clear on the importance of having equally skilled and experienced men in the classroom.
Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of having men in the classroom, particularly in the Early Childhood education space.
Strong Male Role Models
Just as young girls need strong female role models to look up to, so too do young boys. The presence of a strong male role model is critical in a child’s later years, but it’s equally important during the formative preschool years.
People learn best from those who they feel similar to or are familiar with. In the classroom, boys who are often more prone to behavioral health struggles in their early and adolescent years than girls can benefit greatly from having a person of familiarity, like a male teacher, in their life.
Address Community Needs
Quality Early Childhood education programs are involved in the community. This means there’s often communication and collaboration with parents, community members, and other stakeholders.
Men in education can bring a wealth of benefits to the school community, especially when it comes to communicating with fathers in the school community. There’s a level of familiarity and understanding when male educators reach out to parents, particularly with fathers who aren’t always available when female teachers reach out. These connections can help male teachers connect fathers and others to Early Childhood education resources.
As with children, fathers can feel a sense of familiarity when there is another man like a male teacher invested in their child’s learning. Having a male figure in the classroom also makes it feel easier for fathers to be involved in their child’s Early Childhood education journey overall.
Positive Exposure for Children
Having both men and women in the classroom also allows them to experience diversity in their learning environment. Children will continue to see female teachers and parental figures like their mothers and grandmothers as sources of support they can turn to, but having a male teacher in the classroom also encourages the same with fathers and grandfathers.
Overall, men in the classroom allow children to experience cultural diversity, and how it exists in the real world, such as the teaching profession. This helps break down stereotypes and promote inclusivity overall.
Close Achievement Gaps Among Children
Children who come from low socioeconomic or low income backgrounds can find themselves at a disadvantage as compared to peers who don’t come from those backgrounds. This disadvantage is what causes the learning gap that often exists in a child’s later academic years.
Having a male in the classroom not only attracts fathers to learn more about Early Childhood education programs, but it also encourages children, especially young boys, to see a familiar role model in the classroom supporting them. These factors and others can help close the learning gap.
Even at a young age, having a positive male role model can give young boys buy-in for their academic experience, even at the Early Childhood education level. Having buy-in is a critical building block to set the foundation for a strong academic journey.
Explore our Early Childhood education FAQ page to learn more about achievement gaps, and the benefits of Early Childhood education.
Male Teachers Impact Gender Diversity in the Classroom
Overall, male teachers promote gender and diversity in the classroom. This helps children see different possibilities that can shape their future.
As Early Childhood education evolves, so too should the staff makeup of any Early Childhood education program. The reality is that teaching at the Early Childhood education level is a skill set that’s no longer reserved for just women. Men teachers can make a profound impact in the classroom, too.
Ready to explore the possibilities of being a male teacher in the Early Education classroom? Reach out to Sunrise Children’s Foundation to explore how you can make a difference in the lives of the children you’ll serve.
Apply for Early Childhood education jobs with Sunrise Children’s Foundation.
Sources:
Key Facts About Public School Teachers in the U.S. (2025).
Shears, J. (2010). Benefits of a Male’s Presence in the Classroom.
