Odd Man Out

By David Hill

Stand inside Room 130 at James T. Granbery Elementary School in suburban Nashville, Tenn., and you could be in just about any kindergarten classroom in the country. There's a dusty blackboard, a clock, an intercom, two rows of fluorescent lights, a scuffed-up linoleum floor, tables, and chairs. Blue cinder block walls are covered with students' artwork. In the center of the room, there's a large rectangle of indoor-outdoor carpet, big enough for all the boys and girls to sit on. There's a flag, a TV, and a computer. In one corner is a small bathroom. Shelves are crowded with books, games, and puzzles.

There is, however, something unusual about Room 130: The teacher in this classroom is a man. Bert Morgan has taught kindergarten at Granbery for 13 years, and, before that, he taught 2nd grade at the school. His 22 years in the classroom have all been spent at the elementary level. At present, he is the only male teacher at Granbery, which makes him, in his words, "an odd creature." The only other men at his school are the principal and two custodians.

Most days, Morgan, who is 44, doesn't have time to dwell on his minority status. He's usually too busy doing what all kindergarten teachers do: reading stories to hisstudents, singing songs, teaching about insects, and so on. But when you start asking questions, it becomes clear that Morgan has a lot to say about life...