Overbearing TA

[AyrshireAmbler49]

I have recently started a new part time maternity cover job in a large primary school and last week I had my first week there.
The TA who I was introduced to seemed friendly enough but as the days went by I noticed that she kept ordering me around “pick this up/ shut the door” etc and during the live lessons kept hogging the laptop, calling the children ‘numpties’ and bantering with them when I had been told by the head of dept to take ownership of the session myself.
The head of dept had also warned me not to let her ‘take over’.
I’m now dreading the year ahead having to work with her. How do I get her to stay in her lane and stop being overbearing?
Thank you.

People can sometimes act like this when they feel insecure in some way. Can you find some way to make her feel important, which could also distract her enough that she doesn't have time to 'take over.' Could you ask her to mark some work on Google classroom for example? Put her in charge of creating resources for a subject she's good at (which you will quietly check)?
Another way is to have a firm word with her - let her know that you're in charge of the class and tell her what you need from her. It could just make her hate you and make her worse. Maybe seek some advice from someone in school who knows her?

Yes that’s true. I’ll see what I can come up with. I think it will be easier when the children are all back because I can put her with particular children/groups etc.

Worth addressing ASAP. The longer you let it go on, the harder it is to address. Perhaps thank her for her help in letting you settle in but you are now ready to take full charge of the class. You could also have a book where you wrote down tasks that you would like her to do each day which will give her an idea of your expectations for her.

Nip it in the bud now! It's an awkward conversation but pays off in the end. Be really clear that you are the adult in charge and you don't expect to be ordered around. In return you will not order her around on front of the students but you will meet weekly/daily to lay out your expectations for the day.

If she doesn't respond, take to her line manager.

I have a HLTA who covers my PPA lessons who is like this. Very bosy, bordering on rude sometimes!
Because of various reasons, she was my TA for a few afternoons in the week at one point. It was frustrating, she would demand me to do this and do that. In the end I just repeatedly and cheerfully said, "Actually I'd rather not, because. ...". It shut her down a bit without making it too awkward!

Giving her specific jobs is a good idea. I personally find bringing this kind of issue up leads to it just being worse. Probably not official advice but that is from experience.
Could you give her admin jobs? Could you ask her to take 2-3 different students each day to do smaller input with? Do she feels important and valued but is out your way and having a positive impact?

What's the situation? Are you and she both in class all day with KW/V and delivering live lessons from class?

For the live lessons could you give her a directed task that keeps her away from the laptop- like sit with x & y to support.

When she orders you around I would just say 'Thank you, that doesn't need doing right now,' and repeat.

To be honest, I'd pick up the fact she's calling the children numpties asap. It's not acceptable irregardless of their relationship. I wouldn't be happy if my children were being mildly insulted.

It's worrying that the Head of Dept knows she's like this and presumably hasn't done anything to sort it out.

It seems like a waste of time having her on the laptop too while you’re trying to deliver a digital lesson, what’s the setup? As pp said, if you have some children in class, can she be responsible for supervising and helping them? I would also want to have a chat with her, perhaps along the lines of her clearly knowing the class very well but it’s important that you get to know them yourself so please could she (insert task you would like her to do) while you are online.

I have been in this situation before. My advice from experience is to nip it in the bud. Speak to assertively. Tell her what you want from her and what you don’t appreciate. For example inform her that her actions are distracting you from your teaching. The longer you allow this to happen, your TA will continue in their ways and become overly comfortable. Then when you do eventually, down the road try to address it, it’s too late. Your TA will be react negatively because in their mind they have been doing the right thing all along and it is you who has changed your tune. Can you not ask your TA to mute herself whilst you teach? I do hope you manage to sort this out.

I’m a HLTA and I would rather be told directly. Sometimes it’s tough getting to know each teacher’s style.Some want you to sit quietly like a pupil, others want you to co teach.Definitely don’t think the name calling is ok though. Have a friendly chat about what you expect and just say you always have a chat with your TA after you’ve settled in.Good luck.