Many years ago I taught at a rather dreadful charter school in an impoverished neighborhood (I'm not sure if there's an Australian equivalent; it's a state-funded but generally unaccountable independently-run experimental school). The school leaders were well meaning but had no educational credentials and were thus incompetent, but one thing they did that I loved was that I had a classroom aide. She took attendance, recorded who had done the homework, kept track of who had gone to the restroom, shared tasks like copy-making, etc.
It was one of the most liberating things I've experienced in 24 years of teaching. I didn't have her help during my non-teaching time, which is what I think was the thrust of your post, but during instructional time I was able to focus exclusively on my students and instruction and 20 years later I still remember that freedom longingly!
Hi Gary, yes aides are currently rated at high cost, very low effect because of the way they are under-utilised. To me this would be a great example of low hanging fruit. You’ve got me thinking about how I under-utilised mine in the past but also they weren’t assigned to a teacher but followed students around their classes all day. They also had free periods and I have no idea how they were used. Some great ideas here!
Many years ago I taught at a rather dreadful charter school in an impoverished neighborhood (I'm not sure if there's an Australian equivalent; it's a state-funded but generally unaccountable independently-run experimental school). The school leaders were well meaning but had no educational credentials and were thus incompetent, but one thing they did that I loved was that I had a classroom aide. She took attendance, recorded who had done the homework, kept track of who had gone to the restroom, shared tasks like copy-making, etc.
It was one of the most liberating things I've experienced in 24 years of teaching. I didn't have her help during my non-teaching time, which is what I think was the thrust of your post, but during instructional time I was able to focus exclusively on my students and instruction and 20 years later I still remember that freedom longingly!
Hi Gary, yes aides are currently rated at high cost, very low effect because of the way they are under-utilised. To me this would be a great example of low hanging fruit. You’ve got me thinking about how I under-utilised mine in the past but also they weren’t assigned to a teacher but followed students around their classes all day. They also had free periods and I have no idea how they were used. Some great ideas here!