Building a Team with your Assistants Establishing a good working relationship with your school’s education assistants is a must. Here are some suggestions. •
YOU ARE A TEAM. You, as the teacher, are responsible for planning and delivering the instruction. You are responsible for what each student learns. The education assistant works under your supervision to support your activities. Consider education support professionals part of the education team, however, and take time to plan with them.
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GET TO KNOW YOUR ASSISTANT. Determine his or her strengths and how they can complement yours.
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ESTABLISH CLEAR GOALS. Let your assistant know exactly what you want to achieve with the class. Each school district should have current job descriptions for education assistants. If none is available in your district, encourage your principal to ensure they’re developed.
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DELEGATE SOME OF YOUR DUTIES. Decide which tasks you must do, and which you can transfer to the other adult. Be flexible. Allow your assistant to decide the best way to handle those transferred tasks.
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COMMUNICATE AND COMPLIMENT. Keep your assistant up-to-date on your classroom plans. And let that person know when he or she is doing well! A little praise goes a long way toward job satisfaction.
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DISCUSS PROBLEMS. If you feel your assistant is performing his or her job incorrectly, speak to him or her about it. If you’d prefer that something be done differently, clearly explain it. If the problem is serious and persists, discuss it with your building principal.
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TREAT YOUR ASSISTANT WITH RESPECT. Remember that education support staff are important to the team. They have the capability of promoting a positive public school image especially if they feel valued and part of the team. 39