Education Assistants. Handbook -1-

Transcription

1 Education Assistants Handbook

2 Guidelines The following guidelines have been prepared to provide guidance to Education Assistants in fulfilling their role. In all instances, if Assistants are unsure of any policy or practice, they are advised to discuss matters with the teacher in charge of the class or the Head of the Junior School. Working Hours The working hours for Education Assistants are: 8.15 am to 3.15 pm. The starting and finishing times coincide with before and after school duty. Education Assistants are entitled to: 10 minutes morning tea 30 minutes lunch If Assistants are on duty during the above times, time in lieu will be provided before or after that duty. Teachers rely heavily on the additional support Assistants provide the children in their class. As such, it is essential that Assistants are on time to each period. After recess and lunch it is appreciated if Assistants can meet the class and teacher at the meeting place for that class outside rather than going to the class once the teacher has settled the children. This enables Assistants to assist in finding lunchboxes and checking that all children are accounted for. Duty Assistants are an integral part of the School s duty roster. They are expected to work with students during, before and after school. Assistants may be required to be available at morning recess and lunch throughout the week. For specific times, refer to the duty rosters. The Early Learning Centre K-2 opens from 8.45am for the children and their families. Teachers are expected to be in their rooms at this time. If Assistants are not performing duty from 8.30am to 8.45am, they will be expected to assist staff with supervision of children within the Centre. The duty guidelines will assist the Education Assistant as to how to carry out these roles. If there are any concerns about either the students class teacher or the Head of Junior School should be advised. Leaving the school grounds For insurance purposes, if staff need to leave the school grounds during working hours they must sign out at reception and inform the Head of the Junior School. This includes contact time with the children and morning tea and lunch breaks. In relation to working with children: First priority - assisting in the education of children in classrooms. Education Assistants within the Junior School have been employed with the specific purpose of reducing adult to child ratios within the classroom. As such, the role of the Assistant should focus on working with children in the classroom rather than the preparation of resources (for example, photocopying or cutting out) and compiling of information (such as putting portfolios together). -2-

3 Class teachers and specialist teachers may ask Assistants to work with children to implement an aspect of their program. Teachers should provide the Assistant with the purpose of the task, specific instructions of how they want the task completed, and what information they would like recorded. Teachers may also ask Assistants to accompany small groups of children to other parts of the School. For example, to the canteen to deliver lunch orders or to the library to return books. Practices to be avoided v Education Assistants should avoid giving a child any food or drink without first checking with that child s classroom teacher or the Head of the Junior School. v Education Assistants must avoid lifting or carrying children, unless it is part of their role expectation and understand manual handling procedures. v Education Assistants are only to administer medication to children under teacher instructions and with a parent consent form. It is a safe practice to ask someone to check the dosage of medication before administering to a child. Guiding children s behaviour The classroom teacher or specialist teacher has the duty of care of all children within their class. An Assistant may be asked to supervise or implement a program of work for a small group of children under the class or specialist teacher s direction. As such, there may be times when the Education Assistant may need to guide children s behaviour. It is important that this is consistent with the teacher s approach. To ensure this consistency, Assistants may wish to meet with the classroom teacher in the first weeks of school to discuss their policy. They may also wish to ask for the classroom teacher s policy regarding this and keep it for their records. In relation to parents: Education Assistants should maintain a friendly relationship with parents but when discussion relates to their child s development and learning, curriculum and classroom routines, or school practices and policies, Assistants should refer the parent to the classroom teacher or the Head of the Junior School. It is appreciated by staff when Assistants inform them of any incidents or discussions Assistants may have with parents relating to school matters. This enables staff to be prepared before meeting with parents and adds to the School s professionalism. Assistants should avoid discussing children s progress, individual school staff members or School practices, policies and procedures with parents at all times including after school hours. In relation to the School community: There is an expectation that as a member of this School, Assistants will attend professional development in their own time or in school time. Assistants will also be expected to attend some parent evenings (i.e. Parent Information sessions in February) and Presentation Night or staff meetings requiring Education Assistants attendance. These will be noted on the school calendar each term. Accountability - Reflective Practices Process Assistants will have an accountability meeting with the Head of the Junior School at least once per year. They will be expected to reflect upon their role in the Junior School using a prepared reflection sheet. This should be completed before the meeting, as this will form the basis of the discussion. These discussions will typically occur in Terms 3 or

4 Dress standards Assistants are role models to the children within the Junior School and part of the School s professional community. As such, they are expected to dress in a way which reflects their responsibility in this area, please refer to the School s Staff Dress Code Policy. -4-

5 Specific Roles and Responsibilities General and Special Needs Education Assistants provide instructional support to students under the general supervision of a Registered Classroom Teacher. The following description of duties is provided as guidance in determining the appropriate role for Education Assistants. Professional Standing 1. Support the aims and ethos of the School. 2. Have appropriate tertiary qualifications in Education Assistant certification. 3. Set a good example in terms of dress, punctuality and attendance. 4. Undertake professional development that may be reasonably assigned by Head of Junior School. 5. Attend staff and departmental meetings. 6. Be proactive in matters relating to health and safety. Teaching and Learning 1. Assist in the education and social development of students under the direction and guidance of the Head of Junior School, Learning Support Teachers and Classroom Teacher. 2. Assist in the implementation of Individual Education Programmes for students and help monitor their progress. 3. Provide support for individual students inside and outside the classroom to enable them to fully participate in activities 4. Work with other professionals, such as Speech Therapists and Education Psychologists. 5. Support students with emotional or behavioural problems and help develop their social skills. Administration 1. Monitor student s homework diary or message book to ensure all homework is recorded. 2. Support the student in maintaining learning resources, files and workbooks. 3. Support the Classroom Teacher with tasks in order to support teaching and learning. 4. Assist in planning and preparing the learning environment. eg setting up resources for a practical activity Responsibilities 1. Supporting the student: a. Supervise small groups of children while they work on a task and keep them focussed. b. Assist students in the use of available instructional resources. c. Work with individual students or a small group in practical subjects eg science experiments, cooking etc 2. Supporting the Teacher: a. Provide the class Teacher with information about students which will assist the Teacher in the development of appropriate learning and behavioural experiences. b. Observe and follow routine Classroom administrative duties. c. Monitor the work habits and time management of individual students. d. Present subject matter to students under the direction and guidance of the Classroom Teacher, using notes and other resources provided by the Teacher. e. Tutor students in order to help them master assignments and to reinforce learning concepts presented by Classroom Teacher. -5-

6 3. Supporting the Curriculum: a. Support students to effectively use technology to support their learning by assisting them with the use of hardware and software. b. Observe and record student s progress and behaviour. c. Collaborate with Classroom Teacher in supporting the student s specific learning skills and practices. d. Liaise with Head of Junior School, Learning Support Teachers and Classroom Teacher in identifying student weaknesses and strengths. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities The Education Assistant will be able to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities: a working knowledge of effective methods of dealing with children. a working knowledge of the special needs of the students in their care a working knowledge of the core subjects at the Year level of their students. knowledge of the School organisation and its community. skills in operating audio visual equipment. skills in using technology to support own learning. skills in making learning resources which will strengthen lesson plans. able to impart information to the child s level of comprehension. able to discern significant behaviour and refer this to Classroom Teacher. able to solve independently most minor problems. able to follow minimally detailed written and oral instructions without constant supervision. able to record and store information accurately. able to maintain confidentiality of student information. able to have competent communication skills able to effectively work in a team environment. Teacher's Role/Responsibility The Education Assistant s key role is to support the teacher in the implementation phase of programming. The Education Assistant works alongside and under the direction and guidance of the teacher, providing supportive and complementary services. The Education Assistant is there, because of the educational and/or physical needs of a particular child or small group of children, but is also a support for the Class or Specialist Teacher in order that all students' needs are met. The classroom and/or subject teacher must establish and clearly communicate expectations to the Education Assistant by clearly defining: student characteristics and needs to be met learning goals work expectations discipline procedures and class rules how to provide assistance This can be achieved by: including the Education Assistant as a team member seeking opinion of the Education Assistant as s/he works with students and gets to know the students sharing ideas about teaching strategies, recording procedures, anecdotal records, behaviour management, philosophy on working with students with special needs providing an opportunity to meet regularly to discuss progress of learning programmes and students providing feedback anecdotally and written on Appraisal documents -6-

7 J Teacher and Education Assistant working together: A team effort Teacher with student, Education Assistant with class Teacher with small group, Education Assistant with larger group Teacher with half class, Education Assistant with half class Education Assistant with academically talented group to provide enrichment, Teacher with rest of class Cooperative learning with differentiated instruction - Teacher and Education Assistant are supervisors Peer tutoring Education Assistant and teacher supervise Peers as assistant - scribe, reader, answer questions, organization assistant Paired or Reciprocal Learning Education Assistant and Teacher supervise Education Assistant assists large group with follow-up activities while Teacher works with small group or individual students Education Assistant as observer for several students - behaviour Clerical duties, present if needed to assist -7-