To think I’ve completely messed up on my first day at work?

[FineAndDandyy]

I started my job as a TA in a school today. This is my first role as a TA. I was getting ready to leave and ended up in the classroom of one of the teachers I know who asked me how my first day was. I proceeded to tell her about a really challenging child I was working with. I had my back to the door and didn’t realise the deputy head had walked in whilst I was telling the teacher all about this child.

I didn’t say anything bad. I explained that the child is lovely but has some challenging behaviour which was tough at times.

I’m now really panicking that I’ve spoken out of turn or done something wrong.

I obviously wouldn’t ever say a word to anyone out-with the school regarding the child and would never break that confidentiality but I’m now really worrying that I’m going to end up in some sort of trouble over this.

It’s my first job in 6 years. This is something I’ve always wanted to do and I’m so pleased to be doing a job I love but I just hope I haven’t messed this up already 😔

?

If you'd been in a school longer, you'd know the kinds of things teachers say about kids behind their backs. I saw a fair few spot-on impressions done in the staff room during my time as a teacher - you'll be fine.

The great thing about first days is - it's only ever you that remembers yours.

Plus, it really doesn't sound like you said anything wrong.

Head up for tomorrow and enjoy your day

If I was the deputy head I’d be impressed that you were engaging with the difficult child and trying to understand how to work well with them.

Sounds as if it was a pretty good first day. Go and relax.

Not a teacher, but you're allowed to discuss pupils and their challenges with other staff - not to moan, but to gain support, share concerns, get additional strategies for dealing. It sounds like that's what you were doing, no?

Good Lord. The TA in my daughter's previous school called her SEN charge a stroppy cow, which I heard! I think saying you found a child's behaviour challenging in front of colleagues is fine. You might need to work on making sure a conversation isn't overheard when discussing children needing support, but then you're new to the job. And I haven't found teachers to be the most discrete. Not a fault, just perhaps too good at projecting their voices across a room

I once did that as a teacher one of the first weeks in a new school and the head stopped talking to me until I was leaving end of the school year- that being said the department was fab so it had zero impact on me. And if you are in a school where SLT pretend that kids are fab when they are not, or when they cant listen to your concerns, then it's not a good school.
I'm usure you'll be fine though, it's normal to talk about the kids and if you did not say anythign unprofessional, then the assistant head should know about the challenging behaviour already.

Really don’t worry!! We say much worse in our staff room at school - as teachers and TAs we need a safe space to vent. We have precious little adult conversation during the day. You’ve done nothing wrong OP

I think it really depends on the context, if you were implying the child was a bit of a pain - not good on your first day.
If it was more a case of you weren't quite sure how to handle it, and your teacher friend was offering advice, that would look okay.

It’s good to share challenges. If you struggled with a particular child and didn’t share this they wouldn’t be able to help you.
What did the teacher say?

Please don't worry - talking about a child that you are supporting to another teacher is part of the job. If you always stick to facts and not giving opinions then please don't worry about it.

Good luck in your new role. TA's are so important and can make all the difference to a child's engagement in learning

Totally fine!