Teaching Assistants Supporting the Curriculum - Essay Example

I am aware that when working in any school as a teacher's assistant there will be a number of children who will be identified as having special educational needs. Some of these special needs pupils may have the same diagnosis and at times some of them may have not one but a combination of conditions. I will make sure that I adapt class activities to suit these special needs pupils. As Susan Bentham has successfully pointed out "In any discussion of diagnosis it is important to remember that a child is first and foremost an individual with his/her own personality".

(Bentham pg 72) I plan to use this very philosophy to help each special needs child and cater to them in the way that will suit them the best. This may involve adjusting various class activities to suit the personality and level of understanding of the special pupil or group of special pupils. It would also be prudent to be aware of the class performance of special students to ensure that they are not being left behind. The role of the teaching assistant ranges from carrying out a number of everyday tasks to evaluating and assessing pupil's performance and supporting group work assigned by the class teacher.

Teaching Assistants provide support to teachers across other parts of the curriculum as well by supporting teaching in subjects such as physical education and information and communications technology. As Anne Watkinson appropriately described the effective use of Teaching Assistant's "Climate and ethos can radically affect their effectiveness and development as well as the consistency of experience for pupils. They interact with many different groups of people in the school community. Their role as team players is essential, and some ideas for team building are included.

Good communication, collaboration, and celebration of good practice within the school all contribute to the effective use of TAs and their personal effectiveness." (Watkinson, pg 55)The role of the Teaching Assistant is crucial if pupils are to achieve greater autonomy, higher academic standards, and greater social awareness and feel part of the whole school community. I will make sure that I fulfill this role to the best of my abilities.