Well, it has been a long time since I have visited this discusion, and much has changed. I am no longer the teacher with that wonderful director who was so excepting of a male teacher. I was only there for about 6 weeks, but I take it as that was pretty permanent as there had been 8 other teachers in a matter of 5 months. It also seems that a previous teacher had been fired for calling CPS and for going behind the directors back about a child that was being abused (she tried working with director, but she wasn't cooperation). I, another teacher, and a parent dealt some with CPS but got nowhere, and now I am just thinking and remembering all my children back there, hoping they are well. I wish I could think of more to do to help them, but I am at a blank. I am now searching for another position in my hometown of Lubbock, Texas. It isn't going well, but I am trying to keep my hopes up.
As far as the most recent discussion, about diaper changes.. One of the jobs I was applying for, let me tell you about the interview. I had put on my resume that I had helped some with infants and toddlers in addition to my main placement with the pre-k. The lady read, lowered the paper, and asked, "What exactly did you do in the infant room?" I started listing, "helpe with feeding, putting them to nap, helping them learn to walk, sit up," ect..., and she just kept this dumb-founded face the whole time. I finally said, "I didn't change any diapers"... she pulls her hand to her chest in almost a shocked look, then says, "Well, I was wondering about that!"... I was so upset.
You see, I am sure that the place that you live "local culture" has a lot to do with what will be "expected of you". I can't imagine wanting to hire someone who cannot do all the duties of a care-giver. I really don't like working at a place that treats me as a "special case" that only has select responsibilities. But, I find it very rewarding to work with children, and if I must give up a little pride to do so, then so be it. If I go in to get a job, I am typically overly-questioned, but if I were to go in to get a job and then tell them that I require the duty of changing diapers and ect..., then they will have that much more to add to their little "conspiracy theory" that all males in ECE are sick and want to take advantage of the children. I feel like I cannot ever be an optimal teacher/caregiver as long as I am under such petty restrictions, but on the other hand, if I become too proactive, I fear I may never be a teacher/caregiver at all. That thought is scary. That thought is not something I want to think about. I figure, once I have years of experience, a sparkling education, and am considered a professional, than I just might have a voice strong enough to be heard. But as of now, it is too easy for me to be silenced, so I choose not to do it alone.
Steven
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