Teaching Assistant- any experience? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Teaching Assistant- any experience?

102
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 June 2012 - 21:01

I'm thinking of applying for a teaching assistant post. Just wondered if anyone had any experience to share about the hours, extra time involved? I gather it's not simply a case of working normal school hours, my daughter's teachers/TA always mention the additional hours they put in after school and at weekends.... I'd love to have some input from those with any experience. I'm keen to commit to whatever I undertake but want to make sure I go in with my eyes open as I have no intention of not pulling my weight, however, don't want any nasty surprises!

Hope there's someone able to give honest feedback!
TIA

K

102
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 June 2012 - 20:03
Thanks everyone for your input. As Zannie mentioned, the thought of going on to solidify the experience into a formal qualification hadn't escaped me. I'm quite competitive (with myself) and think it wouldn't be long before I'd want to get more involved and progress. Anyway, one step at a time!! K
195
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 June 2012 - 19:45
I used to be a TA in a British primary school (years 5 & 6) in Abu Dhabi. I have no children but the school was literally jumping with joy at hiring me because of my fluent English and creative/art background. A lot of TA's tend to have less-than-perfect English and for slightly older children in particular it's very important they are around people who speak it properly in order to learn. I loved the job. I chose to work with slightly older kids as opposed to little ones on purpose and found it immensely rewarding. I found there was much more actual teaching to do with older kids and less babysitting/"nurturing" that you'd expect with nursery-age children. I did everything from taking small groups of children apart to do tests/reading/exercises to marking homework and creating classroom decorations. I had no prior teaching experience at all but the two teachers I worked with really treated me like an equal and not just their assistant. The pay is poor, I earned 4500Dhs/month, but the hours are nice if you can handle early mornings (easy if you've got kids I suppose) and the bond you create with the kids is awesome.
506
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 14 June 2012 - 19:16
Sorry to hijack this thread but Zannie...do you mind sharing any tips on how you got the TA job without prior experience. It might be something that I would be interested in doing once my DD starts nursery. Thanks. I'm guessing being already a mum to a 5 & 3 year old and my personality. Also, I've been wanting to train to be a nursery/foundation teacher for a long time and now finally had the opportunity offered. I'm also on the EYFS Cache 2 course which I think is compulsory for all TA's to do from September. So as long as you are willing to go on the course, then there shouldn't be any problem getting a TA position without professional experience.
48
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 June 2012 - 18:05
Is there any age limits to being a TA here?
756
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EW GURU
Latest post on 14 June 2012 - 08:19
I worked as a TA here for over 4 years. Worked normal school hours, it's the perfect job if you have children in Primary school. I did do extra hours when my children had after school activities as it was too far to drive home and it was just easier to stay.Though this was my choice and not expected of me. The pay definitely doesn't warrant doing extra hours! Never worked a weekend, teachers probably but not TA's,that's crazy. What school are your children at? It's a great job, you meet lovely people, everyday is different and very rewarding.
133
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 June 2012 - 23:40
Sorry to hijack this thread but Zannie...do you mind sharing any tips on how you got the TA job without prior experience. It might be something that I would be interested in doing once my DD starts nursery. Thanks.
102
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 June 2012 - 21:30
Thanks for the info Zannie, I'm thinking about primary. I've got DD at Primary currently so it would suit to coordinate with her. K
506
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 June 2012 - 21:25
Depends if you want to work in a school or nursery? I'm a TA in a nursery. My hrs are 7.45am to 1.15pm with a short break. This suits me perfectly and I love my job. Don't need to do any extra time, but occasionally look out for ideas and my use a bit of spare time if there is a project I want to prepare for the children to do. The only extra time at the nursery, which is optional is working the Summer/Easter Camps the nursery offer and we get paid extra for this. I had no previous experience of working with children apart from being a mum to two nursery age children. However, I'm now studying the Cache Level 2 course that will enable me to work anywhere here or in the UK as a qualified TA.
 
 

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