In teaching, women rule. Female teachers dominate more than 75 percent of the field, according to the National Education Association. Males who teach often do so at the high school level. But in Cleburne, there’s a special group of 43 men who go against the norm. They’re teachers of every subject, from English to physical education, but instead of preparing
college-bound high schoolers for the rigors of the real world, they’re molding the youth of tomorrow at the
district’s elementary and middle schools.
Breaking the trend
“When you come into it, everyone thinks you’re a coach,” said Matt Ford, eighth-grade history teacher at Wheat Middle School.
Indeed, it’s rare to find men teaching academics below high school, but the men of Cleburne ISD each has their own reasons for breaking the mold.
“I grew up around youth, and I specifically love middle school kids,” Ford said. “I think it’s a real formative time in their lives. If you like this age group, you should just jump into it because there aren’t many out there wanting to jump into a group of eighth-grade students.”
For other men in the district, elementary school is their cup of tea.
“I’ve had experience with older kids, and it takes a certain personality to be with each grade level,” said Brian Edmonds, a first-grade teacher at Marti Elementary School. “To me, what makes a great teacher is realizing what kind of kids you are able to deal with and what kind of kids you can reach the most.”
“The more I was around these younger kids, the more I realized I needed to be here,” said Randy Agricola, fifth-grade math teacher at Cooke Elementary School.
Working around the women
Some might think working in a woman-dominated industry like teaching would be strange, but the male teachers say it’s no big deal at all.
“Honestly, I haven’t really considered the female-dominated business end of it,” Agricola said. “We’re all just co-workers.”
Ford also said he never considered the gender demographics of his job before.
“Everyone else on my team is a female. But it’s not as big of a deal as you might think it would be,” he said. “The women here are great. Our campus is like a family, I love it here.”
Edmonds said the women he works with treat him wonderfully, and he’s always eager to learn from them.
“They can help you and coach you in what you need to do,” he said.
Still, male teachers can provide some things no female teacher can.
Stepping into the role
Coleman special education teacher Randy Hamilton said the women he works with have been instrumental in helping him with his job, but a male can step beyond being merely a teacher and become a role model for students who otherwise wouldn’t have a male presence in their lives.
“As the world goes, I think we should have more male role models at the elementary levels.”
Hamilton tries to fill that role by talking to students and learning each of their names, whether he teaches them directly or not.
“I think a young child needs to see a man on campus,” he said. “It’s rewarding. When the kids see me, I want them to feel secure, safe, and feel happy that this is a fun place to go, with safety first and academics on the mind.”
Gerard Elementary School Principal Jay Lewis began his career as a fifth-grade teacher at Adams Elementary School. Being a role model was one of the best parts of his job, he said.
“It was a fantastic experience,” he said. “A lot of times you get kiddos who don’t have a father image at home, and there were some moms who would specifically ask that I be their kids’ teacher, so that was nice.”
“There are a few that I’ve kind of taken under my wing because there’s not a true father figure in their house,” Edmonds said. “It’s amazing how much they attach to you and listen do you, even if you’ve gotten onto them about something five minutes before. They’re so loyal.”
The reward
All teachers receive something out of being a educator, whether they’re male or female.
“It makes no difference how bad your day started, when you walk into your classroom, there’s someone everyday that has a fantastic story to share with you, and all my students are so positive,” Agricola said. “You can’t have a bad day when you’re teaching students this age.”
Edmonds said he gets several things out of being a teacher.
“The best part is seeing the smiles on their faces and seeing the light bulb go off in their heads when they finally get the ‘aha’ moment,” Edmonds said. “Just being around the kids, it brings such joy to you and brings things into perspective. You have all these problems, but you look at these kids’ lives, and they touch you in such a way that your problems mean nothing to you.”
Hamilton said watching a student learn is a reward that can’t be found in any other industry.
“You have to let your heart guide you,” Hamilton said. “It’s not about money, it’s about the kids. When that little boy or girl looks you straight in the eye and says ‘I get it. I understand it now, thank you,’ you will feel like the king of the world.”
Local News
Related Photos
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Brian Edmonds, a first-grade teacher at Marti Elementary School, teaches reading during class. Lisa Magers/CISD
Discussion
Against the tide
Male teachers educate, adjust, take on additional roles in students’ lives
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Up-and-down Yellow Jackets split Friday’s matches at Little Elm Tourney
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
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Indians on top of selections
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
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Indians on top of selections
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Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
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The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. - Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
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Upcoming sports schedule
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Upcoming sports schedule
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Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. - Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Venus
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Fallen deputy Clifton Taylor’s sister, Megan Davis, takes a picture of a painting of her brother on Monday during a dedication to the deputy. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office renamed its building to the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center in honor of the deputy who lost his life during a disturbance call in April. The picture was painted by Fort Worth artist Gary Crouch. Three pictures were made and one will hang in the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center. The other two paintings were presented as gifts to Taylor’s parents and his fiancee.
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Never forgotten
The eyes of fallen deputy Clifton Taylor’s family began to swell with tears during a dedication hosted by Johnson County Sheriff Bob Alford and the sheriff’s office.
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Never forgotten
