Be a Better Teaching Assistant

The role of the teaching assistant (TA) has changed considerably over the past few years and now includes new challenges, such as teaching groups and whole classes, under the supervision of classroom teachers. These challenges require new skills and knowledge, as well as a re-evaluation of your role as a TA. This book covers a range of relevant areas: learning, especially in relation to literacy, numeracy and ICT, including all pupils, important things to know about schools, working with other adults and looking after your most precious asset - yourself. It is intended to be a guide as to how to improve your practice as a TA, whatever your current role may be. Those of you who are new to the role will find it particularly helpful, but there are also tips and useful information for more experienced TAs.

Dr Alessandra Iantaffi is an active researcher, lecturer and trainer in the fields of diversity, inclusion, identify and research theories and methodologies. She has been teaching Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) courses for the Eastern Leadership Centre since 2004. She is currently pursuing a portfolio of teaching and research activities whilst raising her daughter and studying to qualify as a systemic psychotherapist. Ann Johnston has spent a number of enjoyable and rewarding years working with and training TAs on her various roles as a teacher, head teacher, adviser and senior primary adviser. She is now retired and farming in Poland. Emma Baker has worked as a SENCo in London and Essex, and spent 8 years tutoring students on the OU Specialist teacher Assistant course. She now divides her time between teaching on the CACHE Diploma in Child Care and Education, tutoring and assessing HLTA candidates and bringing up her family.