Responsibilities of a Teacher's Assistant - Term Paper Example

TEACHER’S AIDE: SIGNIFICANCE OF MY CHOSEN CAREER Melissa House, Kaplan Paraprofessional/Teacher’s Aide YEAR) Introduction Melissa House, Kaplan University This report intends to describe the patterns of the course and training on how a teacher’s assistant can handle the duties effectively by supporting the head teacher in his/her works. It also analyses how my option for the job of a teacher’s aide demands me to learn more about the responsibilities, skills, and challenges associated with this career. Informational interview As part of the assignments I had to conduct an interview with a person experienced in her field as a teacher’s aide. The person I interviewed was of the view that aides can also contribute much to the education of children if they are properly trained. Their work also varies with the need of the group like paper work, making copies or substituting the main teacher in her absence due to sickness or emergency (Informational Interview). The types of work the aides are expected to do often involves physical help to the main teacher like arranging the class room before the session starts for the day, setting up chairs and tables and other study materials according to the class roll with specific space for each student against his name and decorating interiors with curtains and color charts after cleaning the class room perfectly (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010). Based on my experience and training, I have learnt a variety of things on planning, reading, and skill development in children. I succeeded in motivating my qualities of being polite, helpful and dignified – all those required by a real teacher. The assignments given periodically on related topics with provisions for first hand experience with parents and teachers in the form of interviews and surveys were of great advantage. The details thus collected were attached to separate progress record files meant for each trainee in the course. It was in fact a course aimed at making me an absolute example of a teacher aid. It also emphasized on developing positive attitude towards the profession and explained in detail the scope of my success as a perfect worker. Responsibilities & Required skills The classes I attended and the informational interview gave me a frame of what a teacher aide needs to possess in the set of skills and responsibilities. 1. Interactive Listening Listening requires a lot of skill; many of them can be practiced in their proper application during the process of listening to what others have to speak. Sometimes, children make some queries on what they find strange. At other times parents may have many things to speak to the teacher. During such occasions, it is important to have patient ears to understand what they speak. The time spent on listening depends much on the seriousness of the matter related. In order to make the speaker more energetic the listener may ask questions appropriately (Summary Report for Teacher Assistants) 2. Instructing Methodology There should always be a line of sentences ready during the class to instruct students more effectively with the essence of inspiring rather than imposing the result. Instructions made by the teacher’s aide should be of a convincing nature, much to the comfort of the receiver. 3. Comprehensive Reading An aide needs to understand the writing patterns of the children and be able to read and understand the sentences and paragraphs in work related documents (Summary Report for Teacher Assistants). This is the duty of the aide to motivate the children read the lessons well. 4. Integrated Speaking Speaking skill is required much in this profession as the class is entirely related to the voice of the teacher. A fine speaking manner always helps the person gain the heart of the listener. When it come to teaching, it is important to confirm that the message conveyed is accurately received by the listener. 5. Critical Analysis During the lessons of math and other subjects related to problems and their solutions, it is essential that the teacher’s aide knows the easiest way to solve it. Critical thinking is the only way to find logics for such problems considered for practice (Summary Report for Teacher Assistants). Apart from teaching, this skill is also beneficial in finding out a solution to any problem with the help of the reasoning ability lying at the bottom of such a way of thinking. Apart from all the above elements, social perceptiveness, time management, active learning and monitoring are the other skills required for being an employable teacher’s aide. Advantages of the Course This course was indeed an on-hand experience in every related topic of the teacher’s aide career guidance. As part of the training I have learnt some technical and analytical skills like basic computer technology and function, knowledge of MS Office and Paint Shop Pro etc. I have already learnt basic skill like math, reading and writing. I have also obtained the previous experience volunteering in a class room as part of the course. Psychology, terminology and First aid are the other things I have learnt during the first phase of the course. The graduation course will offer me better communication and writing skill classes. We will also have a lot to learn about early childhood development. Besides the offer for better teaching on math and computer skills, the course offers to teach us personality development skill through which I can be an effective speaker to teachers and other educators. The course guarantees the scope of my career in a better regard and a place where I can enhance my chances of growing in the field of my job. For instance by becoming the part of an organization like the AFT, I can attain the power to bargain, negotiate, and to change things for both individual and social betterment (The Community Advantage, AFT). There is vast opportunity for me to learn extra lessons on computer science. I am sure I can take a test of paraprofessional excellence and obtain a certificate thereby. I have now all windows open to learn French and sign language as an additional qualification for my dream of becoming a teacher’s aide with the competitive abilities to work anywhere. Changes and challenges The feasibility of this job depends on the demand of people for educating their children at the best possible institution at reasonable expenditure. When competency is the factor to hit my career possibilities, I am sure I have gained enough of it from the course I attended. However, a nominal change can be expected in the form of introduction of new items to teach or the methodology supported by more sophisticated equipments in the class room. There can also be challenges from more aspirants from other countries for less remuneration. They may also have potential work strategies to cope up with the conditions. But I am sure I have the advantage of being a native trainer with more efficiency than normal outlanders. The personality development classes taught in the course is enough for me to face such difficulties. As an underlining statement, I feel safer when I am place in a competition. The course has trained me very tough lessons to overcome the hardest time ever can happen in my career. Conclusion There must be intact balance of mindset to resist the impulsions created by abnormalities happen around an aide’s work place. In order to gain a sustainable position in the profession, it is essential to have the highest level of skills, patience, and kindness. I learnt that this job is meant for people with the best bless for anger management with perfect skill of maintaining firmness in words and deeds. Aides have to be polite and reciprocal during the hearing or discussion sessions on complaints raised by the parents of some children (Research and Education Association, 1997, p. 292). Moreover, an aide has to be fair enough to treat the entire group impartially with a concern for all the students considering their fear and indifference as a first-timer. The intent of the course is providing best possible training to all aspirants with great care for the sustainable quality of the profession. If all qualities trained in the course are possessed by the pass out, he is sure to hit a job in any market open for teacher’s aide. References The Community Advantage. (nd.) The American Federation of Teachers. Retrieved from http://www.aft.org/benefits/ Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010-11 Edition. Bureau of Labor Statistics. United States Department of Labor. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos153.htm#nature Research and Education Association (Ed.). (1997). Careers for the Year 2000 and Beyond: Everything You Need to Know to Find the Right Career. Research and Education Association. US. Summary Report for Teacher Assistants. O* Net OnLine. Retrieved from http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/25-9041.00 Other Sources Informational Interview Reading Units Learning Activities Read More