<p>OP – In some high schools, there are more male teachers than female. Where I work, we have two male fifth grade teachers; many, many male middle school teachers; and two male (one elementary, one middle school) principals.
I think you would only stand out being male in the primary grades, even though I think a male kindergarten or first grade teacher would be terrific for the kids!</p>
<p>My kids went to a fantastic middle school where the teachers were smart and motivated. They could have done anything they wanted, and teaching middle school was what they chose. It was a HUGE benefit to the kids to have people like this in the classroom – they weren’t just teachers, they were role models. I’m very glad their parents didn’t talk them out of becoming teachers.</p>
<p>My daughter wants to be a Math Teacher. She loves math and she also enjoys tutoring at this point. I told her to major in Mathematics (so she has the most options in case she changes her mind or is just exposed to more options for Math careers) and then get a Masters in teaching if she wants to.</p>
<p>^ Probably good advice, though she may want to minor in education now if she has the time. That way she might be able to work as a teacher after undergrad and then get her district or private school to contribute money towards her masters. Math teachers are so in demand in every school system, she’ll probably have no trouble finding a job or doing Teach for America or a similar program.</p>
<p>If big bucks and occupational prestige are important to you, then don’t become a teacher because you will be frustrated. On the other hand, teaching is an honorable profession and has many intangible rewards. You will never be rich, but you will never starve. Also, you will never doubt the importance of what you are doing, even if it’s sometimes not easy. Just knowing that your work is having a direct impact on someone else’s future can be a huge motivator to get up in the morning.</p>
<p>I am a high school teacher and I will tell you that there are so many variables involved when making a decision to be a teacher. It is not what I planned to do, but fell into. Every school district is different and I have read other posts on here that talk about the lack of respect by administration. In my school system we are treated as professionals and valued for what we do for our students. The morale is good and what keeps me at my job is I truly love the people I work with and how we all work together to see success in our students. Nope, you will never be rich. But, as I tell my own children, it is not how much money you make but what you do with it. My own son asked me one time, “if you are smart enough to get into a great university for a master’s program, then why aren’t you smart enough to get a master’s degree in something else besides education?” Ouch. That was out of the mouth of a 12 year old. Not a lot of respect here either. But, I don’t do it for what anyone else thinks. On the good side, I will have a nice retirement, I get 9 weeks off for summer vacation, 2 weeks at Christmas, a week at Easter and every major holiday. I never take work home. I can get it all done there. I work 7.5 hours a day and get a 1.5 hour planning and 30 minute lunch every day. I have great students and enjoy my job. With your positive attitude you will be an amazing teacher. I hope you find your path. The only change that I would make is that if I were younger I would go back to school to be able to teach at the college level.</p>
<p>Marid, I want your job!!! I end up working at least 6:50-4:45, I always have to take work home, I get about 20 minutes for lunch (officially 30, but have to wait until all kids are through the line, etc.), one 45-minute planning period per day, which is co-opted by meetings at least once a week, and travel time to and from my portable building. And we are NOT treated as professional, and we are micromanaged at multiple levels. 
At least it’s nice to know that SOMEONE out there has a great teaching job! :)</p>