Educational assistants
are an invaluable asset to your classroom but how do you avoid possible
conflict over the coming year and many years to come? We are all human and
conflict happens but overall, even with these tips to help guide you, our focus
will forever be on the students and their learning environment.
GET TO KNOW YOUR EA!
If you’re lucky enough
to know who the EA(s) placed in your classroom are going to be take some time
to get to get to know them! Grab a coffee and chat. Did they do a degree outside
of their EA training? What are their hobbies? You never know what little
interesting tidbit of information may come out of a brief meeting that can not
only help the relationship you’ll develop but also benefit your students and
the classroom as a whole!
DEAL WITH ANY ISSUES AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE
Personalities can
clash and at times, explosively so. If issues start to arise in the classroom
they need to dealt with as immediately as possible. Don’t disrupt a class just
to pull an EA out to air out concerns, wait until recess or at the end of the
day to discuss. Always remember to document any incidents between yourself and
an EA! If it must be taken to administration, documentation is a necessity!
DEAL WITH A “VELCROE” EDUCATION ASSISTANT
As teachers, we get
attached to our students as we get a whole year to know and watch them grow!
However, spending too much time with one student, which is of course one of the
job requirements of an EA, can be detrimental to the student’s learning! Although
well intentioned, this can create a learned helplessness in the student leading
to further issues in their later years (Especially in high school). Be sure to
keep an eye on this within your classroom and ensure its addressed as soon as
you can!
NEVER DELEGATE PARENTAL CONTACT TO AN EA
As the teacher, the
students are your sole responsibility. Any parental contact which needs to
happen should come from you whether bad or good! EA’s do get to know the
students and can help with assessing progress but that is the sole job of the
instructor so the call should be yours. A great education is only heightened by
a healthy relationship between parents and teachers. If one was to add a third
party in the mix, especially If they’re not on the same page as the teacher or
parents, there can cause friction which can lead to harm for the student!
MAKE
A PLAN!
Have a formal outline
for the use of an EA in your classroom, what it’ll look like and what their
role will be! Ensure you’ve thoroughly dissected it and ensured it’s what you
want. Have that discussion with the EA. Let them know what you expect of them
and what they should expect of you! As communication is key in any situation! Let
them know the rules that are set in your classroom so they can not only help
but also make sure the students are all keeping to the rules if you are unable
to in the moment.
ENSURE YOU KNOW THEIR JOB REQUIREMENTS
Take a look at the EA’s
handbook (There are lots available online) so you not only understand their
role but also how it relates back to yours! You really can’t go wrong with always
having a better understanding of the people who you interact with daily! Not only
will this help you to create your expectations of each other but also will help
to clarify any misunderstandings which may occur throughout the school year.
Getting a good grasp on it early can only help make the whole year fly much
smoother!
Not only are EA’s essential to the culture in
your classroom but they’re ideal to success with your students! Key things to
remember are to always keep ahead of the game and to keep communication at the
heart of your relationship with the EA. Keep those in mind and you’ll have a
fantastic school year!
No comments:
Post a Comment