Over bearing TA

[workingitout246]

I work PT in primary. My role includes management cover, NQT cover and interventions.
The TA in the NQTs class is stressing me out and I am unsure how to deal with the situation. She under mines me during lessons, continues to talk to children when I ask for silence, corrects 'mistakes' I have made without hesitation during lessons. Other teachers have had difficulties with her .
There is a new head at the school and I doubt he would be interested in this sort of thing. He is not a people person and even if he were I would not want to tackle things by going directly him. I could of course talk to the TA but I sense that would not go well. I am a reasonably tactful person and fairly intuitive and my feeling is that talking to her no matter how I approached it, would be difficult and it might just make matters worse.
I do not feel at ease and relaxed with the class with someone interrupting and attempting to take over. I am a (I think a reasonably capable teacher) but this situation is not adding to my confidence and I am beginning to dread going into this class. The children are lovely and the NQT teacher is well planned and organised. Can anyone suggest what I could do make life in this class
more enjoyable?

[elephantoverthehill]

My advice is small steps. Firstly ask your TA not to talk when you ask for silence, IME adults seem to think they are above this but as a teacher it can be very distracting and the pupil is not 100% listening to you. I have done this but put it in terms of the pupil. Eg pupil X really needs to be encouraged to listen when I am talking, can you lead this by example? The next step is to inject some humour when the TA interrupts or at the end of explanation or task setting openly ask the TA if they would like to add something.

[toomuchicecream]

Also worth (tactfully) asking the NQT how she manages her working relationship with the TA - purely in the interests of consistency for both the TA and the children you know. You might find that the NQT is hugely relieved to discover she's not the only person who is finding the TA hard work. Or she might have some good tips on how she handles her.

[workingitout246]

Thanks for the feedback. There are some practical ideas which I think I can put into practice.
I am afraid I was very short with the TA last week and relations are a bit strained. I asked a child to get something from the next door teacher which I thought we needed. The child was sent back by the TA because the item was in a cupboard in the classroom. It was done in a manner which completely undermined me and I was furious. Obviously I couldn't be outwardly too angry in the midst of a lesson but I was.

[parrotonmyshoulder]

I think, as an experienced teacher and not in that class for long, you might as well take the bull by the horns and address it directly. Politely, professionally, but directly. If she’s undermining you, she’s almost definitely doing the same, and worse, to the NQT.

[WipsGlitter]

So you're supervising or observing the NQT?

I think - if that's the case and forgive me if it's not - that you have to was by example and address this in a professional way.

[workingitout246]

No I am not supervising or observing the NQT.

[junebirthdaygirl]

My idea of a teachers worst nightmare. You have my full sympathy. Could you just wait for silence even after dcs are silent..say nothing but wait. I know that would be mean normally but she should know. Its essential you help nqt with this as it could destroy her confidence as she begins her career. Maybe just go with l sentences. I would like you to quietly tell me that instead of saying it in front of class..
But it is an awkward situation and not easy to stop.

[sashh]

Do the children know the 'hand up for silence' rule?
As a teacher you put your hand up, if a child sees someone with a hand up in silence they put their hand up and are silent.

Include the TA, ie everyone in the room has to put their hand up before you continue. Children are quite good at pointing out the rules.

If a child is speaking, not just answering a question but is doing something like reading to the class (my memories of primary are in the distant past + 1 week of my PGCE) then they get to put their hand up for silence.

I'd also raise a concern with who ever is supervising the NQT.