To think this was really spiteful

[Stopbeingsomean]

I work as a TA in a primary school and something happened today that made me really sad.

I was working with a group of ten children, split between three adults. We were working on subtraction with this particular group who really struggle with maths.

I heard the other TA tell a child she had done very well. The little girl was really proud of herself and had a huge smile on her face and asked “Am I going to get a sticker Miss?” The TA looked very sternly at her and said “Katie, stickers are given out at my discretion. I decide when to give them. I was actually going to give you one, but as you have asked, unfortunately I am not going to give you one now” Honestly she looked devastated. She’s 7 years old.

AIBU to think this was really spiteful?

YABU - She should not have asked.

YANBU - She deserved a sticker

So today, I am happy to report that Katie got two stickers from me, just because…

Love this both for you and Katie!

Elephant's risks ARE made of ivory though.
https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/what-is-ivory-and-why-does-it-belong-on-elephants#:~:text=Why%20do%20elephants%20have%20ivory,trees%20to%20eat%2C%20and%20defense.
And most primary teachers don't have maths or English A levels. I don't.

The other stuff is shocking though.

It's people like that that fuck up our kids confidence and a few years later everyone goes 'we've no idea what happened, she used to really enjoy school'.

@Stopbeingsomean TAs "knowing" as much as teachers has absolutely no bearing here. Teachers have a standard qualification and are used to feedback. They are in a profession. A TA can literally walk in off the street with no experience. TAs need to be supervised and directed by qualified teachers otherwise- they would be teachers and be paid accordingly.
We don't have this bullshit in Scotland where all teachers need maths, English and undergo a rigorous probation period. We have assistants but they are not expected to do anything that teachers haven't planned and organised.
As for grammar and punctuation there are many dyslexic teachers and assistants- as long as they are aware and use spellchecker etc it's not a problem.
I do think you sound a bit Peter Perfect OP, perhaps work together with your team rather than constantly sniping.

I know it's late but you are confusing trunks and tusks. OP wrote trunks. The nimble, meaty, finger-like nose-lip combo they use to put food in their mouth with, pretty unique to elephants (and tapirs). Not made of ivory.

That TA has an inferiority complex and is using struggling seven year olds to get her jollies. Lovely.

@saraclara

Honestly I can absolutely promise you elephant’s trunks are not made of ivory.

D'oh! I'm an idiot! Ignore me. That's what happens when I'm skim reading Mumsnet threads!
Apologies for my brain blip. You are of course, right. 😳

@gingerlybread

I do think you sound a bit Peter perfect OP, perhaps work together with your team rather than constantly sniping.

I’m not really sure how calling out nasty behaviour is being ‘Peter perfect’. I gave examples of the poor knowledge of last year’s teacher, because you said TA’s must be supervised by a teacher. My point is not all teachers are highly intelligent and some teachers don’t even seem to have the basics.

Thank you for the advice of working with my team without constantly sniping. I mean this is mumsnet, therefore anythjng I have said on here is hardly going to upset my team is it? For your information I did not correct last year’s teacher regarding her mistakes, as that would have been seen as undermining.

I work with a fantastic teacher this year and we have a great relationship. If I ever made a child feel worthless she would have something to say about it.

@saraclara
😂😂

I really did question myself though tbh!

Does the TA always make a very long meal out of explaining something to the children?

Really, really unpleasant of her. Poor little girl

Sorry OP, not sure what you mean?

@Stopbeingsomean hi, go back and read what she said. It was so long winded I’m actually surprised you managed to remember all of it let alone a child understand all of it.

Omg just give the poor kid a fucking sticker. That's awful, the poor little mite.

Another TA with a power complex

Sorry! Long day and not thinking!
Yes she does tbf. She wasn’t nice again today and I honestly don’t know what to do. She gets very close to her and talks very quietly thinking I can’t hear her. Today she was saying ‘Sit up! What have you just been told in assembly? Now pay attention!’ Seriously the child did nothing wrong. The issue is absolutely no one cares beco reported it previously.

That is horrible! The correct response would be something along the lines of 'you are! but we usually dont ask for them, but wait to see if we get one given, so try to remember that in future. Now, lets get you that sticker!'

What are you talking about? Teachers in England need to show proficiency in English and Maths when applying for a PGCE or B.Ed and have a two year ECT period.

This

I’m not sure what they need tbh. I must admit I was very shocked at the poor literacy skills of the NQT I was with last year. I was surprised to learn that you don’t need A levels in maths or English. What grades do you actually need?

I did previously! Trust me when I say, no one cares. They need her and better have someone bad than no one. She’s a body in school.

You need passes in maths and English at GCSE level. I know where you are coming from. I have worked with some teachers with quite shocking levels of not just English but general knowledge. You would think education attracts people with a thirst for learning and knowledge and then you encounter teachers who have an astonishing lack of knowledge about the world. A lot of them just read off scripts from lesson plans they have downloaded from the internet without knowing anything about the actual subject.

Yes but you can get quite a low grade and it’s still classed as a pass. How can that be enough to teach though.

When I mentioned the lack of knowledge of last year’s teacher upthread, I was accused of sniping and coming across as a ‘perfect Peter’ It’s none of those things! However it does annoy me sometimes when it’s just assumed that the TA’s are dim and can only function under the supervision of a teacher. Admittedly a lot of TA’s might be unqualified, but not all.