Every Kind Of Teaching Assistant You’ll Ever Meet
These heroes are the glue that hold a school together. Teach enough classes and you’re bound to be gifted with one of these…
Jon Brunskill’s latest guide to all things education explores the wonderful world of TAs.
Which ones do you have in your school?
1 | The Intervener
Reading catch-up, social skills, phonics drill – you name it, they’ve delivered it. They are the master of the one-to-one, sweeping up children determined to fall through the net and launching them back up. Usually found in a little nook with a custom-built table and a plethora of resource files, the Intervener knows every child by name and is responsible for the bulk of the progress of the lowest 10%.
If encountered Hand them your most recent data analysis sheet, sobbing and pointing at all of those names in red. Then watch them work their magic.
2 | The Medic
Small children and grazed knees go together like tea and biscuits. With school nurses as common as hen’s teeth, it falls to the Medic to triage the fallout of playtime. Long ago, this modern-day Hippocrates realised that there is almost no injury that can’t be healed with a wet paper towel and a, ‘Gosh, you’re being very brave.’
If encountered Promise them that the next time it’s offered, you’ll definitely update your first aid certificate.
3 | The Sergeant
Your TA is your second in command and takes that responsibility very seriously. Woe betide the child who makes a funny face at you while your back is turned, or dares to show an ounce of defiance as you assert your authority. Special moves include whipping children outside for a ‘quiet chat’ that is just loud enough for the others to hear through the door.
If encountered Talk strategy for how you are going to make it through the upcoming technology lesson involving real saws, then say thanks with double rations of pudding at lunch.
4 | The Grandma
Sporting half-moon glasses and wispy hair, the Grandma is usually found tucked in a corner, drawing out animated discussion from your shiest child. A warm aura surrounds them and everyone immediately feels relaxed in their presence. They delight children with tales of the community pulling together during the war, and you find yourself perched on the carpet with the kids, listening along.
If encountered Thank them for the lemon sherbet they left on your desk after that art lesson didn’t exactly go to plan.
5 | The Underminer
Starts most sentences with a passive aggressive whisper – ‘The old teacher did it like this’ – bringing back memories of having a similar conversation with your other half and agreeing that, on balance, it’s probably best if you don’t discuss the merits of exes. Puts up hand to correct you, failing to understand that deliberate mistakes are a ‘thing’ that you do.
If encountered Let rip at the class about how distracting it is when someone constantly interrupts, because teaching is actually really hard.
6 | The Resourcer
Watch their eyes light up as you inform them that literacy is going to start with a card sort. This TA purchased their own laminator, because the school ones ‘just don’t have enough juice’. Doing a topic on Mesopotamia but would like to link it to fixed mindset and growth mindset? They’ve got a display for that.
If encountered Casually show them photos of the Sistine chapel, gaze up at the classroom ceiling and throw out, ‘Well, it would be very cool, wouldn’t it…’
Jon Brunskill is the head of Year Two at Reach Academy Feltham. He tweets at @jon_brunskill and you can find him at pedfed.wordpress.com.
