Men in Early Childhood Education | Alex Straus | TEDxWWU

Alex Straus is a senior at Western Washington University. He is studying early childhood education and at the end of March will be the second male in the history of the program to graduate. Alex started his career in early childhood education working under two incredible male preschool teachers, who inspired him to continue his education to become a teacher. For the last six and a half years, Alex has been involved in early childhood education through a variety of positions. Currently he is student teaching in a kindergarten classroom in Bellingham. On the weekends, he is working as a Play Host at Perch and Play, a café with an indoor playground in downtown Bellingham. Between his student teaching, perch and play, and taking care of his 10 month old daughter, childcare isn’t a job but a lifestyle. Through all this experience, Alex noticed there aren’t many men working with children, and there can be a significant impact if more men joined the field. Alex Straus is a senior at Western Washington University. He is studying early childhood education and at the end of March will be the second male in the history of the program to graduate. Alex started his career in early childhood education working under two incredible male preschool teachers, who inspired him to continue his education to become a teacher. For the last six and a half years, Alex has been involved in early childhood education through a variety of positions. Currently he is student teaching in a kindergarten classroom in Bellingham. On the weekends, he is working as a Play Host at Perch and Play, a café with an indoor playground in downtown Bellingham. Between his student teaching, perch and play, and taking care of his 10 month old daughter, childcare isn’t a job but a lifestyle. Through all this experience, Alex noticed there aren’t many men working with children, and there can be a significant impact if more men joined the field. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx