Where are all the good men? A case study of male elementary and early childhood education majors at the University of Central Missouri
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The low number of male elementary and early childhood teachers is problematic in the United States (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2020). Of the 1.8 million public school elementary teachers (pre-Kindergarten-6th grade) in the 2017-2018, and male elementary teachers accounted for 11 percent of the total (NCES, 2020). Colleges of education have also experienced low numbers of enrollment for male preservice teachers. This qualitative case study sought to understand the experiences of male preservice teachers and graduates of the elementary and/or early childhood education program at the University of Central Missouri. Interviews with current male preservice teachers, male graduates, and current and former faculty at UCM, as well as a focus group and observations, were conducted to understand the experiences of these male elementary preservice teachers. The study produced the overarching theme of the power of social connections, which influenced recruitment and retention of male elementary preservice teachers and male elementary teachers. Recommendations for practices of colleges of education include recommendations in the areas of administration, curriculum, faculty behaviors, and collaboration, all stemming from the overarching theme of social connection and the findings from interviews, observations, and focus grouping.
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Ed. D.