Possible Sexism at The Grant Avenue School?

[Sgt. Saunders]

One thing that I have noticed in watching episodes of LITB, is that Beaver’s teachers in the first and second grades (and possibly the third grade) are women, specifically Miss Canfield and Miss Landers.

However, the rest of Beaver’s teachers for the upper grades at the Grant Avenue School were all men. Was there possible discrimination against female teachers going on here with male teachers exclusively getting assigned to the more preferable higher grade classes to teach? How could the obviously learned and highly competent Mrs. Rayburn, Grant Avenue School’s longtime principal, have allowed such an apparent policy to exist at her school?

In fact, it appeared as if some of the male teachers at The Grant Avenue School were even allowed to hold down two jobs unlike the female teachers at that school. Take Beaver’s teacher Mr. Blair, for example. Mr. Blair taught history (among other subjects) to Beaver and his classmates. But, Mr. Blair also worked as a house painter, using the apparent pseudonym, “Andy Hadlock,” to make an extra buck.

Sadly, the increased work load took its obvious toll on Mr. Blair/Andy because he became a dipsomaniac as a result of the all-too-long hours of work he was putting in on a daily basis.

So, ironically, maybe Miss Canfield and Miss Landers were much better off, teaching those less demanding initial grade school classes at The Grant Avenue School?

[stevea]

Mr. Blair -- who was this man, really? Was he a lush handyman whose real name was Andy Hadlock? Or was he really Mr. Willet, a teacher who disappeared after he suddenly stopped talking about World War II in a third grade class? And switched the subject to the Louisiana Purchase? Why would he do that? And what was his real identity?

And what happened to Miss Canfield? She disappeared without explanation after Beaver's second grade class. And why would that second grade class have the same teacher, Miss Landers, for the third, fourth, and fifth grades?

And that sexism thing. Maybe Mrs. Rayburn realized what was going on, so she decided to take over some of those eighth grade classes toward the end of the 1962/1963 school year. Then she would have enough time to scold Beaver for writing his book report from a TV movie, and later for snooping through the diplomas.

This Grant Avenue School definitely needed to be investigated.

[Sgt. Saunders]

Originally Posted by stevea

Mr. Blair -- who was this man, really? Was he a lush handyman whose real name was Andy Hadlock? Or was he really Mr. Willet, a teacher who disappeared after he suddenly stopped talking about World War II in a third grade class? And switched the subject to the Louisiana Purchase? Why would he do that? And what was his real identity?

And what happened to Miss Canfield? She disappeared without explanation after Beaver's second grade class. And why would that second grade class have the same teacher, Miss Landers, for the third, fourth, and fifth grades?

And that sexism thing. Maybe Mrs. Rayburn realized what was going on, so she decided to take over some of those eighth grade classes toward the end of the 1962/1963 school year. Then she would have enough time to scold Beaver for writing his book report from a TV movie, and later for snooping through the diplomas.

This Grant Avenue School definitely needed to be investigated.

Your point about the redoubtable Mrs. Rayburn taking the misogynistic bull by the horns by conducting several of the eighth grade classes at The Grant Avenue School is extremely well taken.

Come to think of it, I think there may have also been a sexism problem at Mayfield High School as well. Did we ever see a female teacher presiding at one of Wally Cleaver’s classes at Mayfield High? I don’t think so; they were all men.

I’m surprised that June Cleaver did not address these apparent instances of sexism at her two sons’ respective schools. And, no doubt, June could have relied on the support of her husband, Ward, and also close Cleaver family friend and ardent feminist Fred Rutherford to back June up in her courageous struggle to assist the distaff teachers of Mayfield’s public schools.

You go, June!!!

[stevea]

Yes, it appears there was a sexism problem at Mayfield High. Who taught history? Mr. So and So. Who taught English? Mr. Foster. What about coaches? Did Wally have nay female coaches? Where are the female teachers and other staff? Are they only at Grant Avenue School?

I think Wally needed to be deposed, so it would become known whether he had ANY female teachers.

[vitoscotti]

I always thought of early grade female teachers on LITB was more of a compliment not an indictment to their teaching and people skills. The wonderful young ladies with 1st graders seem a better choice than the crusty, stoic, boring male teachers that came in later grades.

[Howard]

I disagree; Mrs. Rayburn was in several episodes towards the end of the show's run as his teacher. Also, in the period of this show it was pretty unusual for a school to have a woman as Principal!

[stevea]

True; she taught several classes in season 6. She was very prominent in the episode where Beaver went on the Teen Age Forum TV show, and several others.

She also commanded as mush respect as any male principal I ever had.

[CosmicCharlie]

Good Looking Elementary lady teachers are multi faceted
The boy students get Gaga
The adult male viewers get GaGa
The Writers, Directors ... get GaGa
The Closet Lesbians get GaGa

lol when guys are in charge the pretty ladies will have dominate parts

as for Wally's good looking males teachers - the same applies vise vera kinda sorta

sex appeal sells - no sale no show

I find that the girls Wally interacts with are a draw for me !

[biffbronson]

My public school teachers all were women until I reached the 6th grade, and even then our science teacher was a woman. There was a 4th grade male teacher but I was in the "other" class.

The first 2 teachers I had certainly were attractive, and mind you the 1st one was teaching us still at the end of the miniskirt era...!

Before I started kindergarten, I would see what turned out to have been the ladies who worked in the cafeteria, leaving the building -- I lived across the way. Since they wore uniforms, I was under the impression that my teachers would all be wearing uniforms...! (Not the case at all.)

I prefer the late seasons of LITB precisely for reasons alluded to by CosmicCharlie: the beautiful, nubile guests who caught Wally's eye...!

[CosmicCharlie]

Good Point - Every teacher in my Grade's 1-4 school were female. 1964 -1968

I was in school grades 7,8,9 in 68,69, & 70 and wow the miniskirt era then still effects my libido today ! and the going braless just after that was the icing on the cake !

Classic tv shows & movies from the late 60's thru mid 70's are a beautiful thing - I have many life long favorites

[stevea]

You guys were lucky, but in my elementary school the women teachers were all middle aged to older. No Miss Canfield or Miss Landers for me!

I had to wait for freshman high school year for someone to pant over - in French I--young, beautiful--they went by Miss in those days. Guys, always take French.

My French name was Etienne.

[CosmicCharlie]

The name Etienne is a masculine name of French origin that means "crown" or "garland". It is the French version of the name Stephen or Steven, and is derived from the Greek name Stephanos.

btw my 7th grade French 1 teacher was very sexy - she was quickly married to the vise principal - much to our dismay / beauty and the beast

[stevea]

I'm tellin' ya, and you could attest, take French!

Watch out for French 3 though, or anytime you get a male teacher--I lost interest and my grade suffered for it.

Sorry about your 7th grade teacher -- there's no accounting for taste lol!