I read an article the other day about non-traditional careers. Elementary school teacher was listed as a non-traditional career for men. At first I was surprised, because there are plenty of men working at JCY. However it is true that there are few men teaching in elementary schools across the province. I think fewer than 20% of the elementary teachers in Ontario are male. I'm not sure what I think about that.

I've heard a lot of people say that a man should have no trouble getting a job in an elementary school. On the other hand, I am concerned that people look at male teachers in the elementary panel as an oddity. They think, "Why do you want to be here? There must be some hidden agenda. Maybe he wants to fast-track in administration, or maybe there's something wrong with him."

I've got an extra gym period with the kids this afternoon. I'm looking forward to it. In the gym, even the problem kids are well-behaved. They just love to run around and play. Last week I had a great time playing 2-on-1 basketball against a pair of my students. I had been playing 1-on-1 with a student, then another one shouted, "Tim, you think you got game?"

I smiled and yelled back, "More than you!" He ran onto the court, and joined the game. I was hot and sweaty by the end of the hour. They gave me quite the workout.