People who described themselves as teachers when they’re actually teaching assistance or cover supervisor

[KarlWrenbury]

This is a thing I’ve noticed recently. Is it because they can’t be asked to describe what they really do or is it slightly more disingenuous? For reference no I don’t think it’s a great amazing thing to be a teacher but it’s interesting that they do.

assistants *

Read this back to yourself.

You’re ok with someone with no teaching qualifications teaching the high risk lessons but not the low risk ones.

I agree. Be upfront and honest. Don’t mislead others.

This is a huge part of teaching which is often overlooked. If you can’t manage behaviour, nothing will be learned.

Yes; and just be proud of what you do. There are so many ‘low level’ jobs which are under estimated: check out workers, receptionists, so-called trolley dollys, cleaners. I’m often so grateful for how helpful they can be.

That’s me! I just couldn’t be bothered with the planning, endless meetings, abuse etc. etc. etc. At least now I can run out the door at 3 and have a life. I am qualified but teaching in this country has gone to the dogs. Thousands are leaving annually and school management and councils do nothing about the absolute disaster that’s facing schools .

Exactly. TAs are invaluable to teachers. My job would certainly be much harder without them.

I totally agree. Have seen it first hand.

This woman was still deliberately lying though.

I’m a TA. I wouldn’t call myself a teacher as I didn’t go to Uni to get a degree to earn the right to call myself one, however I “teach” a huge amount of the day. Maths groups, reading groups, phonics groups, interventions and I cover our class when the teacher isn’t there. In fact the only thing I don’t do is planning.

… and marking sets of 30 exercise books, meetings, writing reports, inputting data, training days etc.
I’m not having a go at you.
I did 30+ years in F/T teaching then took early retirement to do further study and some supply. During Covid I was asked to help out doing TA work. I ended up doing it over 2 years.
There is no comparison between the work of a TA and a teacher. Worlds apart.

I mark books too, we live mark so there are no 30 books to mark. In fact I probably mark more than the class teacher. I also input Data (QLAs) as that’s part of my role.
I don’t write reports or do parents evenings, thank goodness!! I’m not sure I could remain 100% professional!!
I know you weren’t having a go btw, that was more aimed at the people on Mumsnet who seem to think a TA is solely there to change reading books and clean paint pots.

If primary TAs are being paid the same as secondary TAs but doing all this teaching and marking then they are being taken for mugs, tbh. Secondary TAs don’t do any of that.

We have a couple of HLTAs who do interventions but in terms of other TAs I occasionally get a random person turn up in my lesson who can’t do much because they neither know the class nor the maths and then I never see them again.

Thank you.
I think the pay level for Level 1 TAs is about right. But I think the Higher Level TAs are underpaid.

PS - but I have seen TAs being given too much to do above their pay scale, like taking a full class when they shouldn’t.

nothing new, and it happens with many professions in addition to teaching.

typically the qualified person will be vague (works in finance/the NHS/whatever) because they don't give a fig about your tax issues/ingrowing toenail in a social situation, whilst the part or non qualified person will talk up their role.

It's so easy to lose a room.

It's honestly the hardest part of teacher training.

I can't imagine being thrown in front of 30 kids, even of primary age, without it.

That is quite a significant part of the job though!!

I know…hence I was agreeing that I’m not a teacher!
But I also do far far more than most people think TA’s do.

This thread has reminded me … apparently a Deputy Head of my former school was on a course and told people he was a Headteacher. From that moment I lost all respect for him and thought he was a total twat.

We had a head teacher relief who taught the head's class when she had her office days who said she was a relief head teacher

Yes, I totally agree it is an unsung profession and very underpaid!

They do in some schools.

TAs or HLTAs?

I cover several secondary schools in my job, plus the one my children went to. I know that TAs, not just HLTAs, are used to cover teaching and involved in live marking.

Yup, it’s definitely not a job where being capable and really good at, pays. You just get more and more responsibilities added because “you can”.