How do we maximise partnerships with other educators in the classroom to improve student learning outcomes?
In episode 2, the Teacher Takeaway team will be discussing ways that we can effectively utilise support in our classrooms, including:
Different types of support roles in schools
Each school has a specific appointment for specialist teachers, such as learning support teachers, intervention teachers. Depending on the size and the complexity of the school, will determine the amount of funding a school attracts in NSW.
Public Schools in NSW currently receive COVID intensive learning support funding to support students identified as needing additional intensive support during the pandemic. Your school may have one of more of the following support positions:
English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D)
This specialist role is not in every school. Attracting funding for a EAL/D teacher depends on a range of factors including the number of students at your school whose first language is not Standard English. Within their role an EAL/D teacher might:
SLSO's
The term SLSO refers to a School Learning Support Officer. These 'angels' work in classrooms with teachers to assist the teacher with the implementation of learning programs, particularly for students with a disability. Sometimes in schools someone in this role might be called a Learning Support Officer or a Teacher's Aide.
This role is fairly common place across schools and one that I think we under-utilise but should be highly valuing. Remeber their role is not to replace you as the teacher, but to support you as the teacher. This means that we should:
It is also important to allow the SLSO opportunities to particpate in professional learning, alongside teaching staff, to build their knowledge and capacity. Especially as we often ask them to implement programs or things in a particular way. To ensure our SLSOs are utilised effectively in schools and that staff are aware of their role, there are a number of things we can do.
Parents in the classroom
Having parents in the classroom as support is not uncommon practice in schools, especially before the pandemic anyway.
Just like we do with SLSOs, we should be taking the time to plan for, communicate and train our parent helpers in the routines they will follow when working with students in our classroom. There is a program called P.A.T.C.H that helps to train parents to work effectively with students in the classroom. None of the podcast team have used it previously though. Instructional Leaders
All NSW public primary schools are fortunate to have an Assistant Principal Curriculum and Instruction which is a dedicated intructional leader tasked with supporting whole school literacy and numeracy development. Some schools also have a Deputy Principal Instructional Leader to support this practice.
Instructional Leaders do many things and have a whole school 'big picture' view of the school. These teachers are a valuable resource that should be utilised by all staff within the school to improve the outcomes of all students. Some of the things they do are:
Additional Reading
A guide to help primary and secondary schools make the best use of teaching assistantse to help primary d secondary schools make the best use of teaching assistants
1 Comment
Lucy
3/5/2022 02:31:05 pm
Would love to have seen Teacher Librarians included in this - an important but often underutilised partnership in the school. Perhaps an idea for a future episode?
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AuthorsThe Teacher Takeaway Podcast is hosted by four Australian teachers and school leaders. With a wealth of industry knowledge and expertise, Aaron Johnston, Alice Vigors, Rebecca West and James Gray bring all the elements of effective pedagogical practice to the fore in a light-hearted way. These show notes are a summary of each episodes discussion with some added gems for you to takeaway. Happy reading everyone. Archives
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