Current models of practice
Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Reviewing how teacher aides can support learning and wellbeing and improve attainment throughout the school’
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Observe and meet with TAs and teachers
Observe and meet with TAs and teachers
Learn about the roles and responsibilities of teachers and TAS by talking with them and observing practice.
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Source: Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga
Take a creative approach to information gathering
Take a creative approach to information gathering
- Surveying staff (anonymously) for their views and experiences.
- Inviting teacher aides to keep a diary to record information about the tasks they undertake in their working time.
- Observing and asking questions about teachers’ decision-making about teacher aides’ deployment.
- Using photos or video to document teacher aides’ interactions with students.
- Conducting a skills audit to collect details of teacher aides’ qualifications, training, experience, specialist skills, and talents.
Source: Adapted from Making best use of teaching assistants: Guidance report (opens in a new tab/window)
Identify how roles and responsi­bilities are delegated
Identify how roles and responsibilities are delegated
To help clarify who does what, use the sorting activity on p. 14-16 from the Module 1 Workbook | Teachers and Teacher Aides: Who does what?
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Reflective questions for teacher aides
Reflective questions for teacher aides
Use these questions to identify areas of strength and support needs.
- What do you see as your role in the school?
- What do you see as your role in the classroom?
- Do you have other school responsibilities?
- How are you supported in your role?
- Who provides support?
- Do you get planning time with the teachers?
- How are you involved in planning your programme?
- Are you given a programme to use?
- What have you done with students that you are proud of?
- What is most satisfying in your work?
- What is most difficult in your role?
- Have you any frustrations or issues?
- What else would you like to mention?
Useful resources
Useful resources
Lesson observation schedule
This is an example observation table to support in-class observations of the teacher‘s and teacher aide’s roles within a set learning context.
Publisher: Centre for Inclusive Education
Download PDF
Sorting activity
This activity supports teachers and teacher aides to clarify roles in the classroom. It is from Maximising the impact of teaching assistants (2nd edition), a UK resource.
Publisher: Centre for Inclusive Education
Download PDF
Teachers and teachers’ aides working together: Our roles
These three New Zealand modules provide clarity on the teacher and teacher aide roles, and promote effective working partnerships.
Publisher:
Next steps
More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Review and refine the TA's role and responsibilities”:
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Current page Current models of practice
Return to the guide “Supporting effective teacher aide practice ”
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How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: Teacher aide practice
Strategies for action:
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Review and refine the TA's role and responsibilitiesShow suggestions for Review and refine the TA's role and responsibilities
- Recommendations from research
- Current models of practice
- Review and refine roles, responsibilities, and expectations
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Develop effective recruitment, induction, and PLD processesShow suggestions for Develop effective recruitment, induction, and PLD processes
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Support and prepare teachers in their roleShow suggestions for Support and prepare teachers in their role
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Identify areas to build TA understanding and confidenceShow suggestions for Identify areas to build TA understanding and confidence
