Chapter 6 deals a lot with the male versus female teachers in the common school system. Women were only allowed to learn because men saw that they could benefit educated women. Soon after, schools looked to hire females as teachers, and this, according to Norton became one of the first job opportunities that opened up to women on a regular basis. I disagree with the Boston board of 1841 when they gave three reasons why women are better teachers. The idea that women are naturally better with children, women are less distracted by the world, and they are the purest. I disagree because back then it was only social standards and stereotypes that forced women and men to act their part.
As I was reading this chapter, it made me question and even weigh the pros and cons male versus female teachers. Does gender really matter when it comes to teaching? What constitutes a good teacher? Statistically, who are the better teachers: men or women? We all have had our experiences with “good” teachers and “bad” teachers, but I think Horace Mann said it best when talking about teachers. Teachers need to have perfect knowledge of the subjects they are teaching, and they need to have an enthusiasm for that subject. They also need a style that doesn’t cross any students moralsand students are allowed to learn without fearing consequences. If students only study because if they get a bad grade they will be punished harshly, then they are not really learning. The environment is very important to ensure that students get the most out of a learning experience.
