Only one of every four public school teachers is male. What unique contributions do men make at school and in the classroom?

I believe it is critical that there be a male presence in the classroom [to] model a side of manhood that is not portrayed in popular media—men as caretakers and nurturers of children.
Angela Richardson, Rochester (N.Y.) Teachers Association

The impact of a male teacher is not limited to the classroom. Interactions in the hallway, cafeteria, playground, etc., have impacts that are priceless.
Richard Steger II, Valley Central (N.Y.) Teachers' Association

Our presence reminds boys that males can achieve power by means other than athletic prowess and toughness.
Lance Becker, Fairfax County (Va.) Federation of Teachers

Just by being there in the classroom, men tell boys that learning is important [and] that it is not just the domain of women and girls.
Dorothy Petrie, Greece (N.Y.) Teachers Association

The boys in my elementary are excited when they have our only male teacher covering their classes. They will ask him questions that they would not ask the female teachers. Male teachers provide opportunities for both male and female students to interact with an adult male in a safe and nonthreatening environment.
Brenda Moses Brown, United Federation of Teachers (New York City)

It's helpful to all students to see a wide variety of teachers—not just both genders, but different races, cultures, ethnicities, and ages—as part of the invaluable public school experience of learning to interact with all kinds of people.
Margaret Plotkin, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers