Proud passion for teaching!

Erica Virtue, Senior Gleaner WriterNathaniel Blackstock is a second-year student at The Mico University College in the Corporate Area, and is the only male in his class of 22 students pursuing the Bachelor of Education programme in early-childhood education.
The soft-spoken Blackstock told The Sunday Gleaner that he is a standout in his class simply because of his gender.
The Economic and Social Survey Jamaica (ESSJ) 2012 says he is one of 548 males attending the institution compared to 1,952 females - a ratio of 1:3.
"I am a standout. I can't miss classes because the lecturer just has to look up. I have to complete my assignment on time, and I have to be early.
"But I have a passion for teaching and can't see myself not doing it, even though I am currently working outside that area," said Blackstock.
He is the third of four children and honed his skills and patience caring for infants and young children at his church, Shiloh Apostolic Church in Fletcher's Land, west Kingston.
Blackstock would babysit children in the church's nursery while church is in session.
"Most men don't have the patience to deal with the little ones. It's both a calling and a love that I have for teaching," he asserted.
Perseverance
It was perseverance that got Blackstock into teaching, as he was rejected by both Mico and St Joseph's Teachers' College when he first applied in 2010.
In 2011, he tried again after encouragement from a friend, and Mico responded favourably. With the acceptance came the sheer number dominance of females to males.
"I did not have mathematics. I still don't. But before I could begin the programme, I was admitted to a special programme at the college with 10 modules. I had to pass all of them before I could begin the degree programme," he explained.
"You have to be focused in such a situation. Sometimes it is intimidating, but I am focused and I don't allow the dominance of women to affect my concentration."
Blackstock said the educational system is definitely in need of male influences.
"Definitely, males in the system bring balance to the lives of the children. Many have no other male influences in their lives and in the school system they should be seeing males as well as females. It helps them to develop balanced interpersonal relationships and positive influences," he said.
Blackstock said he was not discounting the work and worth of women, but said he was encouraging more males to join the profession.
"You just have to be a little more patient," he said.

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