| Teachers have a lot on their plates. From lesson | | | | able to sit and work with students either individually or |
| planning to classroom management to appeasing | | | | in small groups. This allows the classroom teacher to |
| school administrators, the duties just never end. | | | | teach the lessons while ensuring that all students are |
| However, there is a wonderful cure to being bogged | | | | following along. The students also benefit from the |
| down in the myriad of responsibilities and it is called a | | | | individualized or small group attention. They are no |
| teacher's aid. If a classroom teacher is lucky enough to | | | | longer forced to muddle through a lesson they do not |
| be given the opportunity to have an aid, here are the | | | | understand simply because there is no way to provide |
| top three reasons why it would be beneficial to jump | | | | them with extra support. The teacher's aid is a great |
| at the chance. | | | | support system for the teacher, because the aid's |
| #1. An Extra Set of Eyes, Ears and Hands | | | | work directly enhances the lessons being taught. |
| There is only so much one human being can get done | | | | #3. Classroom Safety |
| in a day and teachers routinely test those limits. A | | | | The safe haven that used to be schools is no longer a |
| teacher's aid comes complete with an extra set of | | | | reality. Emergency drills, practice lock downs and |
| eyes for watching students, an extra pair of ears to | | | | safety trainings are now as commonplace as fire drills. |
| listen to them, and an extra set of hands to help get | | | | A teacher with 30 students suddenly becomes |
| things done. While some districts do not allow a | | | | responsible for protecting them in an emergency. |
| teacher's aid to be alone in a classroom with the | | | | Although most teachers would do anything to protect |
| students, there are other duties an aid can perform to | | | | the children in their care, it is unrealistic to think that |
| help the teacher. Making copies, running errands, helping | | | | having an aid in the classroom would not help in that |
| to proctor a test, and collaborating with a teacher are | | | | situation. Teacher's aids can be another adult available |
| all things that an aid can do that make teaching more | | | | at a time of crisis to help secure the classroom and |
| manageable for the classroom teacher. Those extra | | | | protect students. An aid can also be invaluable in |
| sets of eyes, ears and hands can make all the | | | | watching a class of children if the teacher suddenly |
| difference between a well managed classroom and | | | | becomes ill and must step out. |
| one that is challenging. | | | | Not all districts can afford to add aids to their budgets |
| #2. Provides One on One Assistance | | | | despite some government grants and funds. If aids are |
| Every class has a child who needs a little extra help | | | | available it is worthwhile for a classroom teacher to |
| with lessons, but it is sometimes challenging for a | | | | ask for one. Not only will a teacher's aid be of great |
| classroom teacher to provide that attention and teach | | | | assistance to the teacher, but an aid will also be |
| the other 30 children in the class. A teacher's aid is | | | | invaluable for the students. |