Nursery World - Nursery teacher breaking down gender barriers

Stephen Glen-Lee, nursery manager at Bo'ness Public Primary School in Bo'ness, Falkirk, is pioneering the way for men's careers in childcare. Mr Glen-Lee first came to the school in 1998 as a teacher of 10-and 11-year-old children in Year 7. Now he is in his second year of managing the school's nursery unit, where he sees his role as 'automatically challenging a gender-biased environment'.

Mr Glen-Lee first came to the school in 1998 as a teacher of 10-and 11-year-old children in Year 7. Now he is in his second year of managing the school's nursery unit, where he sees his role as 'automatically challenging a gender-biased environment'.

Feedback from parents suggests the impact his presence has had on the children. Mr Glen-Lee said, 'A lot of lone parents, especially women, say it has really made a difference. The children are so positive about having this man in their lives. Boys are becoming more interested in education, in writing, reading and number work, and teachers notice this when they start in Primary 1. A lot of the boys are actually surprised to have a woman teacher!'

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