When I was finishing my final year of my post graduate degree in teaching, I worked as an integration aide. This experience provided invaluable insight into what works and what does not within a classroom setting. Ultimately, it gave me the profound respect for those who pursue the profession of a teacher’s aide.
A teacher aide (TA) is a vital part of a modern-day classroom. Whether they are working with the teacher to facilitate learning strategies, supporting the class, or providing one-on-one support to individual students, their role is indispensable.
With many classrooms being highly neurodiverse, the teacher aides are crucial in helping individuals navigate through what remains a relatively traditional learning environment, which is not always conducive to these students. Consistency is key for most students, both typical and atypical. Having a regular teacher aide helps build a relationship between the student and the aide. When a rapport is formed, it can help reduce anxiety in the students and prevent what I call ‘trying it on’ behaviour (where students believe they won’t see the aide again, or at least, not for a while, which can encourage negative behaviour).
A relationship between student and aide benefits all, as the aide gains an understanding of how the student best operates and what they need to succeed. Over time, they build trust with the student and express high expectations. As Quill and Kahu discuss in their study into the critical importance of teacher aide and student relationships, teacher aides assist in a student’s ‘sense of belonging, emotions, and wellbeing’, which effects the students’ engagement in the classroom and school as a whole (2022). This, in turn, creates a better learning environment for everyone. The teacher aide can also be in tune with the curriculum and learning of the class or year level, making the assistance and strategies more relative and effective.
There are not many empirical studies into the effect of teacher aides building a relationship with an individual student yet. However, I have witnessed the positive effect on individual students and the classroom environment as a whole when a consistent teacher aide is regularly available. They are an incredibly important and vital part of our modern-day schools.
Reference
Quill, J., & Kahu, E. R. (2022). Building a Bridge to Learning: The Critical Importance of Teacher Aide–Student Relationships in the Primary School Classroom. Australasian Journal of Special and Inclusive Education, 46(2), 164-177. doi:10.1017/jsi.2022.12
