In The Classroom
In The Classroom
Embedded Files
Helping students in the classroom can be challenging because teachers each have their own expectations and style. It is important to understand your role as an EA within the classroom and learn how to best assist the teacher and the students within that environment. Here are some things to consider:
Helping students in the classroom can be challenging because teachers each have their own expectations and style. It is important to understand your role as an EA within the classroom and learn how to best assist the teacher and the students within that environment. Here are some things to consider:
- Try to maintain the "feel" of the classroom. This can be done by understanding the classroom routines, specific classroom rules, classroom culture, and the grade level of the students.
- Take some time to observe interactions within the classroom including teacher/student interactions and student/student interactions.
- Teachers are often very busy and want assistants that will jump in without having to be told each move to make. Showing initiative is very important. Don't hesitate to get clarification when you don't understand exactly what you are asked to do.
- Read written directives closely, seek clarification when in doubt.
- Become familiar with the curriculum. Consider borrowing a teacher's manual for an evening to review, look up the curriculum on the internet, or search for the material/concepts on Khan Academy.
- Be respectful to the teacher's plans, outcomes, instructions, processes, and procedures. Realize that many times you may only be assisting with one part of a larger project and the larger project may only be successful if the small parts are completed as planned.
- Keep yourself in check. Being a teacher or being an assistant is often like playing a part in a play. You have to be "on" when you are in the classroom and that means showing a positive attitude even when you might not feel like it. Kids are counting on you. Sometimes you have to put your feelings aside because you are there to support kids, not the other way around.
- Understand your role is to reinforce teacher designed content.
- Be considerate of the times you choose to communicate to the teacher as well as the length of the communication. The teacher's job is to maintain a positive learning environment. Interrupting instruction or communicating during times of student transition is often very frustrating for the teacher. If possible, wait for a moment you can get the teacher's attention without disrupting the environment.
- Assisting in the classroom does not mean doing the work for the students. An appropriate amount of struggle is required in learning new concepts and skills.
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