Date
23 March 2024

Recruit staff who can support your school vision and values

Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Developing systems and processes for teacher aide recruitment, induction, and ongoing professional learning’

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Target to needs

Target to needs

Take a flexible approach to finding the right people to meet the changing needs of your community of learners.

Look for an affinity for inclusion

Look for an affinity for inclusion

Search out staff who have an affinity with your vision for your learning community.

Value experience

Value experience

Recruit new teacher aides who have high expectations of all learners and will be able to build relationships that foster independence.

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Source: Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga

Source:
Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga

Value language skills

Value language skills

Teacher Bridget Harrison explains the benefits of the teacher aide speaking in Tongan with a student to support their writing.

Value community connections

Value community connections

Consider recruiting support staff who will bring the knowledge and understanding that may result in:
  • a culture of greater understanding and respect
  • an improved level of engagement and trust with the local community
  • a window into the needs and priorities of the community
  • personal introductions to community members or activities that can provide support and advice
  • student success.

Source: Adapted from School support staff: Collectively making resources count (opens in a new tab/window)

Utilising bilingual skills of TAs

Utilising bilingual skills of TAs

Bilingual classroom assistants are uniquely placed to make links for children who share a cultural heritage similar to their own.

[They] are able to build on the form of knowledge and the cultural capital that children bring from home in ways in which few monolingual class teachers are able to do.

Martin-Jones M. & Saxena M. (2003)

Next steps

More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Develop effective recruitment, induction, and PLD processes”:

Return to the guide “Supporting effective teacher aide practice ”

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