Case
Classroom assistant disrupts during lesson

I am in my second internship in an ESE classroom in middle school. My CT frequently leaves the classroom when I am teaching a lesson to go to the office, or to sit at her desk in another room to grade papers. During my lesson the classroom assistant will overly correct behaviors, and try to co-teach the lesson. I have never had any trouble with classroom management or teaching a lesson effectively, so I am not sure why she feels like she needs to act that way. I have spoken to my CT about it and she has spoken to the assistant several times, but she continues to do it the minute my CT leaves. I have also asked her to stop as well with no results. What should I do next?

Posted on: 10/13/19 | Views: 346
Solution #1
Your CT should not be leaving the classroom, especially when you are teaching. This is the time for her to be observing your teaching and providing advice. If you could get her to stay in the room, this could solve multiple issues.
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Solution #2
I would try to set clear guidelines with the assistant of what you expect of them while you are teaching including how they can help you teach and manage student behavior. In addition, if the assistant is dying to help teach, maybe you could plan a lesson where you take a group of students and the assistant takes a group of students and y'all work simultaneously with the respective group. This will allow the assistant to teach and manage the behaviors of the students within her group while you are teaching and managing the behaviors of the students in the group.
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Solution #3
Your Ct should be staying with you to monitor your teaching, especially if the CT has been made aware that there is an issue with the assistant. The assistant is over stepping boundaries and a meeting between you and the teacher should be had with the assistant there so they understand you both are on the same page. During the meeting boundaries could be set that are clear. Discuss that this is causing disruption in the class and it is not in the best interest of the students to have chaos between teachers. With the teacher and the intern confronting her together the problems should stop.

I think a meeting is the best solution for this issue. Everyone can talk and is on the same page by the end of it.

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Solution #4
For starters your CT should be there in the classroom with you at all times. Your CT is supposed to be there observing you and let you know where you need improvement. I would talk to your CT about leaving the classroom. Maybe that will help with the assistant problem.
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Solution #5
Have a talk with her and try to compromise on ways to teach the class. Discuss with her the appropriate and inappropriate times to address children. If she wants to be more involved with the class try to find ways that both of you can teach the class together. If you are not able to work out any issues together then you might want to consider getting a new assistant.

I like the collaboration aspect in your solution but working with others is something we must get through especially when its difficult. So finding another classroom assignment would be negative in your internship experience.

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Solution #6
I would sit down with the CT and the assistant and talk about the situation. I would ask the CT what is expected of the assistant when you are teaching and ask the CT assistant what does she feel like is happening because you are teaching, maybe she is jealous or maybe she thinks that interns come in to take their jobs. Bottom line is find out what she is thinking and then tell her how this makes you feel when she does these things.
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Solution #7
One, I don't believe your CT should be leaving the classroom. It seems like the assistant thinks it is their classroom once your CT leaves. I would get the administrator involved if they continue to disrupt you in your lessons.
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Solution #8
Your CT should stay with you at all times. If she needs to leave the room to make copies or something, you should go with her and she should find another adult to supervise students. Classroom assistants should assist when students misbehave, but she is probably crossing the line by trying to take control of the lesson. Maybe if it's too much you can give the assistant specific tasks that you want her to do while you teach. In other words, say what you would like her to do, not what you don't want her to do. Ex. "Hey I have a favor to ask you- could you check on Joel, Shannon, and Alia during group work to make sure they are participating? Thanks."
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