Abstract:

Feminization of teaching profession is a well-known fact all over the world. The same holds true in Poland. In Polish preschools and early childhood education only 1% of teachers are male. Men who decide to become teachers in kindergartens or primary schools have to face opinions, feelings and sometimes negative gender stereotypes. Often people are afraid of male teachers who take care of children aged 3 to 6. Although they also indicate that presence of men in education is beneficial for child development in specific areas. In this context parents’ perception of male teachers are important as they are one of the essential educational subjects, beside children and teachers.

The author of the article presents the results of a pilot study about parents’ perception of men taking care of children and teaching in kindergartens in Cracow, Poland. The paper shows a comparison of two groups of parents: those whose children are taken care of by male teachers, and those whose children did not have that experience, and discussion about the differences in their opinions and feelings.

A case study of how a male teacher presence impacts quality of work and performance in one of Cracow’s kindergartens is also included in this paper.

Keywords:

preschool teachers, male teachers, gender stereotypes, kindergarten, parents' experiences in education, good practices in education.