Need help dealing with my TA?

[salviapages]

Hi, I'm an ECT and this is my first year of teaching. Staff were moved around during the year so I only started working with my TA in January. I'm finding her tricky to work with at times, but I'm leaving at the end of the school year (staff reshuffle so there won't be space for me) so don't really want to sit down and have a whole conversation as we're close to the end of the year, just want some help dealing with it as I find her quite passive aggressive

She's quite openly critical and doesn't seen to understand how high my workload is. There are a couple of things that are her responsibility, but she often doesn't have time - I have her mornings only. In mornings/breaks she is often dealing with other aspects of her role or she is reassigned to other classes, and she acts quite judgemental if I haven't done her tasks (eg change children's home reading books, do certain interventions). I don't know how to explain to her that if she hasn't found the time then how am I supposed to when I'm the one managing the class of children all day every day.

She's not very direct, she's quite passive aggressive and makes small comments or does little looks or eyebrow raises, so there isn't really an opportunity to address her concerns head on but I'm often left with a feeling she thinks I'm not very good. All of my observations and feedback so far have been excellent, including from the head.

Ultimately it doesn't matter as I know I'm doing well and I'm leaving in 3 months, but I'm just busy and stressed and when it happens I just think 'actually this is the last thing I need right now, can you leave me alone'. Tips for dealing?

Try not to think of her as ‘your’ TA. I know that upsets many TA’s especially if they are experienced and you are an ECT.

Set her clear and reasonable daily tasks that will facilated the learning and that she can do in the allotted time. Give her clear expectations of what should be done when and make time to debrief about any interventions - value her input on progress
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Be pleasant and positive and offer thanks freely. Everyone likes to feel appreciated and she may be feeling insecure or put out for some reason. She could well have other things going on in her life and it not be anything personal to you. She may also be fed up with her role and the fact that staffing issues mean she is being pulled from pillar to post and not able to get on with her work. Ignore any eyebrow raises - only 2.5 months left of working with her and it’s just not worth it.

Is she definitely being critical of you though?

I mean, that sounds pretty frustrating that part of her job involves changing books/doing interventions and yet she's not being given the time to actually do them. Maybe she's huffing and eye rolling because of the situation rather than because of you.

I think you do need to chat to her really, try to find a way that those jobs can get done reliably by somebody.
Is it you that's pulling her away to do other things or somebody else?

I know you're leaving so don't see talking it through as worthwhile but actually being able to work alongside TAs effectively and manage a team are important skills. Handle this and you'll have built a skills for the next job.

I think you need to sit with her and agree a list of what you expect her to do.

Ignore the passive aggressive comments. Be smiley and breezy - only another term and a bit!

I agree that a conversation needs to be had, but kept professional and definitely steer clear of any mention of her attitude. And as an ECT I’d actually suggest that it’s good to have conversations like this early in your career, because this won’t be the first time you have to deal with it.

Definitely have a chat. Start by asking about her and if she needs anything as you’ve noticed she seems a little stressed about her workload. Hopefully she’ll explain and you can both have a moan about the job and think of ways round the issues. At the very least it will break down any barriers and keep communication open.