Are there any examples of gender norms that you can recall occurred during your schooling or did you witnessed how genders should behave or act?
Mrs Coleiro: I attended an Independent Catholic Girls High School. I can honestly say that attending that school proved worthwhile for me in a variety of ways. It encouraged, supported and assisted me on so many levels – academic, sporting, religious or musical achievement and excellence.
We were taught to strive and excel in any domain and in actual fact, to push gender stereotypes to adapt to an increasingly changing and demanding world.
What about throughout your teaching career?
Mrs Coleiro: My teaching environment has been vastly different. Teaching male only students who, majority are from a …show more content…
Schools work so hard at creating a sense of equality. I feel that if a student objects to doing a particular job or having a go at a particular activity, that belief has been engrained from home. Our job as teachers is to help promote this sense of acceptance and self esteem. I do not believe that gender defined classroom roles affects self esteem. If a student has poor self esteem it usually stems from something deeper.
Why do you think obviously incorrect stereotypes or sexism, such as girls don’t like to play sports are they are smarter than boys, remain in schools?
Mrs Coleiro: Again, I do not think they remain in schools, but rather they are brought into schools. Teachers can do their best to challenge and change these archaic ideologies, but at the end of the day, teachers are bombarded with so many other pressing pressures. Teachers may say something upon hearing these things, but I think it starts and stops there. If a student constantly hears, the more ‘correct’ thinking, reinforced by the teacher that should hopefully implement …show more content…
Mrs Coleiro: No, but in my school there is a huge push for White Ribbon which promotes that women should never be subject to abuse in any form.
Have you noticed any improvements or changes with gender equality in schools today?
Mrs Coleiro: This is difficult for me to answer seeing as I have predominately taught in a single gender school. I think as time progresses acceptance amongst the boys of the potential and equality of women has increased, overall. Not entirely, but generally.
Do you believe Australian schools do enough to educate teachers and students in minimising expected gender norms?
Mrs Coleiro: Yes. I believe that the content is rich with diversity to allow students to see beyond their world. In terms of educating teachers, this is a tricky one. I think schools do enough to minimise gender norms, but I think more could be done. In my school, for example, a focus and priority will always be placed on the technology subjects over the creative arts subjects. When I raised this once, I was pretty much told that that is the way it is and it will not
Mrs Coleiro: I attended an Independent Catholic Girls High School. I can honestly say that attending that school proved worthwhile for me in a variety of ways. It encouraged, supported and assisted me on so many levels – academic, sporting, religious or musical achievement and excellence.
We were taught to strive and excel in any domain and in actual fact, to push gender stereotypes to adapt to an increasingly changing and demanding world.
What about throughout your teaching career?
Mrs Coleiro: My teaching environment has been vastly different. Teaching male only students who, majority are from a …show more content…
Schools work so hard at creating a sense of equality. I feel that if a student objects to doing a particular job or having a go at a particular activity, that belief has been engrained from home. Our job as teachers is to help promote this sense of acceptance and self esteem. I do not believe that gender defined classroom roles affects self esteem. If a student has poor self esteem it usually stems from something deeper.
Why do you think obviously incorrect stereotypes or sexism, such as girls don’t like to play sports are they are smarter than boys, remain in schools?
Mrs Coleiro: Again, I do not think they remain in schools, but rather they are brought into schools. Teachers can do their best to challenge and change these archaic ideologies, but at the end of the day, teachers are bombarded with so many other pressing pressures. Teachers may say something upon hearing these things, but I think it starts and stops there. If a student constantly hears, the more ‘correct’ thinking, reinforced by the teacher that should hopefully implement …show more content…
Mrs Coleiro: No, but in my school there is a huge push for White Ribbon which promotes that women should never be subject to abuse in any form.
Have you noticed any improvements or changes with gender equality in schools today?
Mrs Coleiro: This is difficult for me to answer seeing as I have predominately taught in a single gender school. I think as time progresses acceptance amongst the boys of the potential and equality of women has increased, overall. Not entirely, but generally.
Do you believe Australian schools do enough to educate teachers and students in minimising expected gender norms?
Mrs Coleiro: Yes. I believe that the content is rich with diversity to allow students to see beyond their world. In terms of educating teachers, this is a tricky one. I think schools do enough to minimise gender norms, but I think more could be done. In my school, for example, a focus and priority will always be placed on the technology subjects over the creative arts subjects. When I raised this once, I was pretty much told that that is the way it is and it will not