Teacher Aides & School Aides:Review of Roles and

Responsibilities

“Paraprofessionals play a critical role in a school – they have the ability to impact students’ lives every day and they are

essential to the successful operation of the school. They are a key ingredient to

the teaching and learning that occurs each and every day.”

You may be the first face a student or parent sees – always be courteous, welcoming, and professional – even

when it’s hard to do so

Roles & ResponsibilitiesTeacher Aides School Aides

•Assisting students with behavioral/management needs•Helping students complete tasks that have been assigned by the teacher•Assisting in physical care tasks and health-related activities as appropriate•Assisting in the set up of laboratory equipment, conducting experiments, and performing limited reviews of student laboratory reports•Assisting in the technical preparation and production of media programs

•Overseeing and monitoring student behavior in hallways, libraries, locker rooms, cafeterias, and on school grounds•Directing students to classrooms and assisting them in following their schedules•Helping maintain order in classrooms, library, gymnasiums and on school grounds by removing students in the event of unruly behavior•Guiding students safely through parking lots and across streets and intersections

Continued…

Roles & Responsibilities Continued…

Teacher Aides School Aides

•Assisting in proctoring and other tasks related to the administration of examinations•Assisting in the correction of test papers, recording of grades, maintaining of files and preparing statistical reports•Managing records, materials and equipment•Operating audio-visual equipment•Providing support in the supervision of students

•Taking attendance and locating students who are on campus but not in assigned class•Controlling traffic while school buses are being boarded and un-boarded•Providing supervision during recess and lunch periods•Rendering elementary first-aid treatment•Performing miscellaneous clerical duties as assigned, e.g., maintain attendance records•Functioning as a “guide” for members of the community who wish to tour a school district’s campus and/or classes

Attendance & TimelinessAttendance: When an aide is absent, it impacts other aides, teachers, and most importantly – students. Consistent attendance is essential to being effective in your role.

Timeliness: Arriving to work on time and adhering to the schedule for the day are crucial. Teacher and student schedules work minute-to-minute and so do the schedules for aides.

Firm: We are assertive in holding students to high expectations, without being aggressive.

Fair: We are consistent in the way we reinforce expectations for students, without showing favoritism. Friendly: We treat students with friendly

respect, without being their “friend”.

Keep It Simple:Firm, Fair, & Friendly

Working with Students Get to know students by name & learning needs Take cues from the classroom teacher about how to

best meet students’ needs Communicate with the teacher about how to be impactful when the student you are assigned to does not need your direct attention Let the teacher be the primary communicator with

parents about student progress/issues

Scenario #1:Turn & Talk

You are a 1:1 teacher aide in a classroom assigned to a specific student. You see two students across the room who are engaged in a disagreement, but the teacher does not notice. What are the various ways you could react?

Hallway Supervision: Escorting a Class Start by leading from the front of the line. Assign 2 students as line leaders. Don’t use the same students all the time. Tell the line leaders to go ahead to a specific spot and stop.

As the children begin to walk let them pass you until you are at the end of the line.

Ask the line leaders to move ahead to the next stop point. Continue to circulate to areas where you are needed

in the line. Review rules with students as needed

Remember: Firm, Fair, Friendly

Hallway Supervision At the secondary level, students should have a pass when

travelling in the halls during class periods. You can/should ask students to show you their pass. Give students firm but friendly reminders to get to class on

time and let the assistant principals know if students are without a pass more than once.

Avoid being drawn into an argument. Keep it professional. Expect students to show respect and be sure to show them

respect.

Remember: Firm, Fair, Friendly

Scenario #2:Turn & Talk

You are escorting a class to another part of a school. While in the hallway, you encounter an unfamiliar adult who does not have a visitors pass. What should you do?

Visitors to the School All visitors should sign in at the designated location and wear a visitors pass. If you encounter an unfamiliar adult, greet them and ask if they have signed in at the front door/main office. Escort the person to the front door/main office to sign in,

or ask another school employee to do so – Do not let a visitor without a visitors pass wander in the school. Do not open doors to visitors – ask them instead to go to

the designated entrance for visitors.

Cafeteria Supervision

There should be one aide on each shift who picks up a walkie-talkie at the beginning of the shift and keeps it on in

order to have communication with the office. Position yourself so that each of you is in a different section of the cafeteria. This will allow all student activity to

be supervised. Actively circulate and get to know students’ names. Students are less likely to be disrespectful if

you know and address them by name.

Cafeteria Supervision Safety First: If you see it – correct it. Aides are not to have lunch when supervision is required. Before the students leave the cafeteria they should have cleared their tables and chairs. Dismissal should be by class and/or table. Aides should accompany the children to their next activity/location when

a teacher is not available to do so. Communicate with each other. Talk about adjustments that

need to be made to provide better supervision.

Remember: Firm, Fair, Friendly

Scenario #3:Turn & Talk

A student in the cafeteria tells you that another student pushed him while he was in line. You didn’t see this occur. What should you do?

Playground/Recess Supervision

There should be one aide on each shift who picks up a walkie-talkie at the beginning of the shift and keeps it on in

order to have communication with the office. Station yourself where you can see the children. That means

you will need to have yourselves situated at different areas of the playground or field. Do not “bunch up” as this allows only one field of vision.

Avoid distractions that interfere with active supervision. Extended conversation among monitors affects

the safety and supervision of the children.

Playground/Recess Supervision

When aides are absent we need to adjust coverage to ensure that playgrounds and recess areas are adequately

supervised. Communicate with each other. Talk about adjustments that

need to be made to provide better supervision. Safety first – if you see something unsafe or potentially unsafe intervene.

Remember: Firm, Fair, Friendly

Playground/Recess Injuries When minor injuries occur (scraped knees, bloody noses,

etc.) have another student accompany the injured student to the nurse’s office.

With potentially more serious injuries (head injuries, inability to walk or significant limp, possible dislocations/fractures, serious cuts) ask the student to remain stationary and call for the nurse, or send a specific student (by name) to go and get the nurse. Be sure that the main office is notified (as soon as possible)

of any injuries that occur.

Scenario #4:Turn & Talk

A student at recess frequently organizes games for other students and these games sometimes involve excluding certain students or pitting students against each other. At times these games become unsafe or result in hurt feelings. What could you do?

Unacceptable Play Name calling Improper/unsafe use of equipment Excluding children from games Games that are aggressive or have the potential to be unsafe Behavior that makes a classmate feel uncomfortable Uncontrolled physical contact (tagging vs. tackling) Venturing out of designated recess areas

You have the authority to stop any activity that poses a risk to student safety

When Conflicts Do Occur Recognize the signs when a fight is about to occur:

- verbal argument or name calling- pushing/shoving- face-to-face posturing

If it is safe for you, separate the students & engage the help of other adults. If it appears unsafe, loudly tell the students that they must stop and that the principal is on the way. Call the office for the principal. Clearly explain what is happening. The supervisor needs to know what problem is to be addressed.

“An Ounce of Prevention…”

Be Vigilant at all times by anticipating problems or unsafe situations…from shoe laces to strangers.

Be Proactive by reviewing and reinforcing expectations with students.

Be Safe at all times – know when to intervene and when to ask for help.

Confidentiality Information about students or incidents that occur within the

school must be kept confidential. We have an obligation to the students to be sure that information gained about students or incidents that occur do not become a subject for casual conversation either inside or outside of school. This is challenging if you know parents outside of school, who may ask you questions or seek information that is confidential. This requirement is important as a violation can result in disciplinary action. The district is its employees can be held

legally responsible for violations of confidentiality.

Catch Students Being Good

Acknowledge and compliment positive behaviors

Show appreciation when students are being cooperative

Start from positive instead of negative assumptions about students