Classroom Staff

Home

Chat

Blogs

Collection

Directory

Home : 2002 : November : 18

Classroom Staff
By Al

Hello.
I am a severe & profound teacher with 10 students, and 2 assistants. I am ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS very careful about how I "label" the assistants - they are not MY assistants - we are all there for the children. By
showing respect and an interest in the assistants and their lives, including some chocolate bribery, we have a GREAT working relationship.
I also realize and know the value of the assistants my students have this year.
I have been in less than ideal situations, such as yours. Here are a few suggestions, as I know it is always more difficult than it sounds:
1) post everyone's schedule

in the room - 8:10-8:30 Person A - coats off; Person B - check for notes; etc. It is a time consuming project that is very tedious. But it equals the playing field (you are the classroom teacher, not their superior) and makes everything neutral - no fights or power struggles. Also, with this schedule, 1 copy on the wall, 1 copy to each person, keep copies for yourself - then mark when/where that person wasn't doing what the schedule says.
2) remember - if it weren't for the aides, a classroom couldn't run. Teachers are dispensible, they aren't.
3) post IEP goals if necessary to help with the schedule.
4) give up control in a few situations for the assistants to have some say - maybe standers right away when everyone is fresh, not after lunch like you have it scheduled. (To do this, I had to really step out of my room and look at what I wouldn't compromise on. I don't care where/when the kids are in standers, as long as they are used.)