Assisting the Teacher

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Home : 2002 : March : 2

Assisting the Teacher
By Rosa

As far as my district goes, teacher's aides are there to help the teacher perform the day to day duties in the classroom. While working with the children may be an important element of this position, there are many other
things that need to get done during the day as well. Sometimes the teacher may be teaching whole class lessons. Stapling, filing, and correcting papers can and should be done by a TA during this time. Otherwise, the TA would just be sitting there watching, which is a waste of everyone's time.
I have two full-time TAs in my classroom. They help out with everything. Although it is

in no way "below" me to do some of the necessary clerical work, I expect them to help out with these things too, especially when I am teaching the whole class. Also, some assistants are not able to work with the students. It is up to the teacher to decide how TAs will be used in the classroom. Afterall, it is the teacher who is ultimately responsible for the education of the students.