My classroom, like many other special education classrooms, can only run smoothly and efficiently when all components are working cooperatively and effectively together. This is especially true in regards to classroom staff.
I am very fortunate to have three aides working in my classroom - two of which who have been working in this particular classroom longer than I have. From my four years as instructional aide and from working with aides now in a supervising teacher role, I have come to the conclusion that they are an integral part of my classroom and in order for my classroom to run smoothly, so must my work with my staff.
Although I have one new aide this year, my two "veteran" aides are wonderful. They provide the support when I need it, take initiative without direction, and ensure that things go according to plan...even when they don't. They go above and beyond and I feel very blessed to have such wonderful co-workers.
However, everything wasn't always peaches and sunshine in my classroom. I started my first year teaching working with an aide who had worked in this classroom for several years. I was the sixth teacher in six years, and I could understand how the aide felt entitled to the room. However, she did not make my first few months of teaching easy. She tried to assert her opinion at every turn and told me point blank that "this was not how things were run last year." She was very confrontational and the tension in the room was palpable. Although she was great with the kids, her professionalism was seriously lacking and it made for a very difficult work environment. Needless to say she did not last the year in my classroom.
I'm always amazed at the different teacher-aide dynamics that I have witnessed while working in the public school system. When I started my first year, I wanted to make sure that my aides knew what was expected of them in my classroom and that I had the same high expectations for them as I hold my students accountable to. (Not such a difficult request, right? Apparently it was though.)
I never made demands of my aides that I didn't think they would be able to accept. I showed them respect and consideration and I tried to make them feel that their opinions were always valued. I wanted to make sure that my classroom support felt a sense of ownership for our classroom...because that was a huge thing for me when I worked as an aide.
I always try to be the best teacher I can be, not only for my students but also for the other adults in my classroom who are watching me. I hope that I'm proving to be an exceptional role model...someone that they can respect. Because really, without that you have nothing.
I am very fortunate to have three aides working in my classroom - two of which who have been working in this particular classroom longer than I have. From my four years as instructional aide and from working with aides now in a supervising teacher role, I have come to the conclusion that they are an integral part of my classroom and in order for my classroom to run smoothly, so must my work with my staff.
Although I have one new aide this year, my two "veteran" aides are wonderful. They provide the support when I need it, take initiative without direction, and ensure that things go according to plan...even when they don't. They go above and beyond and I feel very blessed to have such wonderful co-workers.
However, everything wasn't always peaches and sunshine in my classroom. I started my first year teaching working with an aide who had worked in this classroom for several years. I was the sixth teacher in six years, and I could understand how the aide felt entitled to the room. However, she did not make my first few months of teaching easy. She tried to assert her opinion at every turn and told me point blank that "this was not how things were run last year." She was very confrontational and the tension in the room was palpable. Although she was great with the kids, her professionalism was seriously lacking and it made for a very difficult work environment. Needless to say she did not last the year in my classroom.
I'm always amazed at the different teacher-aide dynamics that I have witnessed while working in the public school system. When I started my first year, I wanted to make sure that my aides knew what was expected of them in my classroom and that I had the same high expectations for them as I hold my students accountable to. (Not such a difficult request, right? Apparently it was though.)
I never made demands of my aides that I didn't think they would be able to accept. I showed them respect and consideration and I tried to make them feel that their opinions were always valued. I wanted to make sure that my classroom support felt a sense of ownership for our classroom...because that was a huge thing for me when I worked as an aide.
I always try to be the best teacher I can be, not only for my students but also for the other adults in my classroom who are watching me. I hope that I'm proving to be an exceptional role model...someone that they can respect. Because really, without that you have nothing.
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