This year, begins a new challenge. This year, begins a solitary journey. This year, will be my first start without my right hand to support me; pick up things I miss and keep me sane. This year, I begin without a teaching assistant, after my lifeline begins a new life in sunny Spain (trips to Spanish climes are definitely going to become a way to unwind after a term of teaching).

Although this fills part of me with dread, and I can only hope that we appoint someone who will become my teammate in all things classroom, it also fills me with a little excitement.

You see, a teaching assistant is often the first point of call for children who are worrying about something or hearing their exciting news that a child is itching to share. This means, I have the opportunity, in the early stages of this academic year, when I endeavour to make our new year 5/6 cohort a team, to build up relationships much more quickly than usual, and I could see improved classroom cohesion and behaviour as a result. Alternatively, it could mean that I end up rocking in a corner with my own information overload. Either way this year is set to be like no other experienced...yet!

So, while I madly think of all the jobs that need doing for the start of term, especially wrack my brains for those which my lovely teaching assistant would have helped me keep on top of and prepare, I am reflecting on the things that sometimes go unnoticed. What makes a TA?

What actually is involved in daily life as a teaching assistant ? Previous to my teaching journey, I had numerous years as a teaching assistant/HLTA, let's see if I can remember (not in order and definitely missing some vital examples no doubt):

  • Ordering supplies
  • Labelling books
  • Organising stationery
  • Creating usable, eye-catching displays
  • Cleaning and tidying resources
  • Building relationships (not just with the children)
  • Noticing fall-outs/ changes
  • Checking packed lunches
  • Following a lesson plan
  • Adapting to any timetable/ planning changes
  • Developing resources to support children who can't access the lesson
  • Delivering interventions
  • Hearing readers
  • Record keeping
  • Locating lost property
  • Hunting down resources, including any glue sticks/ whiteboard pens being hoarded in other rooms
  • Mopping up blood, sick, other disgusting bodily fluids and tears ( not always those of the children)
  • Communicating with parents
  • Attending copious meetings and CPD
  • Trimming and backing work
  • Zhoosh up learning environment
  • Sticking work in books
  • Endless playground / lunch duties

In my own experience, these delightful, creative and essential members of the school community often do these jobs beyond their paid hours and get little to no thanks for it. In fact, some teaching assistants who I would not have survived a day without, would often be ignored by management (in previous schools) after they tried to say good morning to them. I mean that is not just rude that shows a complete lack of understanding of who the backbone to the school is.

Rest assured, whoever I spend my every teaching day with, you shall be seen, you shall be heard and very, very, very much appreciated.🥰