'Just' a TA

[birdling]

I've read several threads today where TA's are describing themselves as 'just' a TA. You are never, ever 'just' a TA. You are incredibly hardworking, flexible and invaluable members of the classroom team and I couldn't do it without you all. You all deserve a massive payrise

Totally agree. I'm a teacher, looking to quit to become a TA. But the pay is absolutely shocking and the job is so, so valuable.

Absolutely agree. Another teacher here and couldn't do it without the amazing support from TAs.

As a supply teacher, they are an amazing source of info about the children and help you pitch the teaching and support as soon as you go in.

I'm a TA and I've never met a teacher that didn't appreciate us. SLT not so much.... Constantly point out how reports prove TA's don't add much value.

Thank you :-)

I am governor at a tiny rural school with mixed age classes. Without the TAs it could not achieve all that it does. I know about the research that keeps saying that TAs do not add value - we all ignore it. We know what is happening in the classroom and how invaluable they are.

Well said!

TAs are my heroes

I would imagine all those who leap on the research that say TAs don't add value also like the research that says smaller class sizes do the same.

I know the research that debunks the anti-small classes research, but haven't seen any about TAs.

What I do see, on an anecdotal level, based on 38 years of teaching is that I trust the teachers and what they say goes on their classrooms

< I'm looking at you John Hattie, with your fucked up research models>

You do an absolutely awesome job and we absolutely couldn't do our job without you .

My dd has left primary school now, but she still harks back every now and then to the small group sessions that she used to have with one of the TAs for extension-type work. I think she would rank those sessions as being among her best learning experiences ever!

I'm a parent of a child of a child with SEN. The TAs in our school do an amazing job. They make all the difference for my son to feel secure at school.