THERE might be a shortage of male teachers in Western Australia but this is not the case at Glen Huon Primary School in Eaton.
Principal Carolyn Nankervis believes her students are lucky to have seven male teachers who work hard to offer a balanced education.
“Many of our students have very few male role models in their lives and it is good for them to be able to chat to our male teachers,” Mrs Nankervis said.
“Male teachers bring a range of life experiences and some have interests and talents with outdoor activities that appeal to the students.
“My staff is awesome and they are very supportive of each other.”
Currently about 15 per cent of Western Australia’s primary school teachers are male and about 39 per cent of secondary school teachers are male.
State education minister Peter Collier said he was committed to getting more male teachers into classrooms.
“It is important that students have strong male role models in their lives and it would be beneficial to have more males in our classrooms,” Mr Collier said.
“Western Australian teachers are now the highest paid in the nation with good conditions and a raft of different opportunities.
“There is nothing more rewarding than having a positive influence on the lives of students and being able to make a difference in terms of the direction students take.”
