Where would our schools be without teacher aides? 

By Kristen Anuik | Posted: Wednesday June 14, 2017

Kaikorai Primary School is lucky enough to have 6 amazing teacher aides who work with students with a wide range of needs. 

The Teacher Aides at Kaikorai all have specific areas of expertise and experience that are carefully used to meet the needs of all students. They work with small groups of students or provide one on one support. Support Staff Day was 14th June, but it's never too late to express our gratitude for all of their hard work they do, and the positive impact they make to the lives of students at Kaikorai. 

Margaret does a terrific job at running the library, the PMP programme and assisting teachers in a range of classrooms. Margaret can always be counted on to step in and assist students in classrooms whenever it is needed. 

Sue runs an exciting Alphabet Group for New Entrant students, and a Targeted Maths Group for students in need of a bit more practise in Maths.  She also assists teachers in their classrooms. Sue can always be seen doing extra jobs around the school too!

Along with running the Targeted Maths Group with Sue, Kelly plays an important role in many classrooms and has created and maintained positive relationships with many of her students. She will often step in to help wherever extra support is needed and can always be counted on to do a great job. 

Jill works with a Special Needs student one on one. She is involved in planning and implementing programmes with the classroom teacher and SENCO, and always takes initiative in order to provide the best programme for the child. 

Renae also works with a Special Needs student one on one, and monitors the well being of a student with High Health Needs. She is always keen to take on new challenges and shows an interest in learning new things to ensure the students are happy, healthy and safe. 

Lynne is our newest teacher aide and has adjusted to her new role beautifully.  She works in the middle syndicate, and has been trained to run the Quick 60 reading programme.  Lynne provides a calm and nurturing working environment and is always thinking ahead to provide the best learning for her students. 

All Teacher Aides attend a meeting with the SENCO 2-3 times a term for professional development, and have individual goals for the year to work towards to further their learning and improve their interactions with students.

Teacher aides need to have knowledge of:

• working with and implementing programmes for students who have special needs
  
• the school curriculum and subject areas in which they work
• different teaching methods and learning styles
• child learning and development
• safety and emergency procedures
• first aid procedures

If you would like more information about the role of Teacher Aides in New Zealand, please see the attached Ministry document. 

Mrs Ferguson (SENCO)