Three Strategies to Reverse the Male Teacher Exodus

The percentage of male teachers in Australia has now fallen below 18 per cent for the very first time, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. This is a serious issue for our nation’s education system, as it shows a significant underrepresentation of male role models and perspectives in classrooms, which can have long-lasting effects on students' development and academic experience.

Male teachers, with great communication skills, are critical as role models for young boys in primary schools but, unfortunately, male primary teachers currently make up a very small proportion of the school population. It’s crucial we start taking steps to address this huge challenge in education and create an inclusive environment that values the contributions of male and female educators alike.

So, how can we make a change? And what more can we, as educators, do to turn the tide and stop males from getting out of teaching? Here are three strategies that schools can adopt to help reduce attrition among male teachers and ensure they feel empowered to make a positive impact on the next generation.

Acknowledge the Stigma
The negative social stigmas surrounding male primary teachers pose a significant challenge in teaching, with some male teachers reportedly feeling uncomfortable telling new people about what they do for work, and even worrying that their role isn’t ‘manly’ enough.

As CEO and former principal Adam Voigt recalls in his thought-provoking op-ed for the Sydney Morning Herald: “I’ve heard the comments in pubs and around footy ovals about how there must be something “a little bit suss” about a six-foot-four bloke who hangs around little kids all day.”

These mindless assumptions and stigmas no doubt have a role to play in male teachers’ rapid exit from education - and unfortunately, these kinds of negative social stigmas are extremely resistant to change.

The best way to bring about change is not through fighting endlessly for a complete revolution in people’s thinking, but by evolving the narrative slowly over time through consistent, targeted effort.

You can’t be what you can’t see. More positive male teacher role models will inevitably lessen the social stigma surrounding them, creating a positive feedback loop that will help counter the current negative trajectory of male teachers exiting education.

Address Isolation Through Communication
Teachers, regardless of gender, often face challenging situations that require open communication and problem-solving. However, when male teachers feel unable to speak up about the challenges they face, they can experience a sense of isolation and withdrawal.

Like many awkward and difficult situations in careers, business and life, being unable to speak up about important issues at school can leave teachers and educators feeling alienated, left out, marginalised and even victimised.

When male teachers cannot speak up about issues that matter most to them and their students, their natural reaction is to ‘lay low’, say nothing, and over time emotionally withdraw and then finally exit - and never come back. Teachers, schools, parents, students, education departments, communities - everyone loses.

In order to combat the losses, schools must create a culture of open dialogue and provide platforms for male teachers to express their concerns, opinions, and ideas without fear of marginalisation or victimisation. By incorporating communication and assertiveness training into professional development programs, schools can empower teachers to navigate difficult situations with confidence and professionalism.

Not only will your male teachers feel empowered to work through tough situations quickly and positively, but when they teach these skills to their male students, the learning will resonate profoundly.

Highlight the Importance of Male Teachers
Male teachers are just as important as their female counterparts in educating, leading, and setting good examples for our young learners. Male teachers with excellent communication skills play a vital role as role models for young boys in primary schools.

Male educators have the ability to connect with male students on a deeper level, understanding their unique needs, challenges, and aspirations. They provide a positive example of masculinity, demonstrating qualities such as empathy, compassion, and effective communication that are essential for fostering healthy relationships and emotional well-being.

The current gender imbalance within schools creates a gap in the availability of male role models for young boys, limiting their exposure to diverse perspectives and potential career paths. As a result, boys may lack the opportunity to witness first hand how men can excel academically, emotionally, and socially.

It’s an issue and a mindset shift that should be ingrained as a fundamental value within school leadership, starting with principals. By actively promoting gender equality and diversity within the teaching profession, schools can create an environment that empowers male teachers, enabling them to thrive and make a positive impact on the lives of their students.

Schools should also actively work towards recruiting and retaining male teachers, ensuring that boys have positive male figures to look up to and emulate. We can start to achieve this through targeted recruitment strategies and mentorship programs that encourage male educators to pursue a career in primary education.

Reducing attrition among male teachers in primary schools requires a multifaceted approach that addresses the social stigmas, promotes inclusivity, and empowers educators to speak up and be heard. Ultimately, the key is to equip, empower, and give male teachers the space to speak up. Train them to be powerful, not powerless. That way, everyone wins.

Geoff Flemming is the General Manager of Crucial Dimensions, the exclusive ANZ licensee of the global Crucial Learnings training programs.

Geoff has been working with the South Australian Education Department, The Western Australian Education Department and Melbourne Archdioceses of Catholic schools, where he has been helping teachers and principals facilitate the Crucial Dimensions programs to give educators the tools they need to speak up and have the difficult conversations required to help facilitate a culture of openness and wellbeing. He has also trained education leaders on how to assess their internal cultures to identify areas where their employees are avoiding having crucial conversations.