Discussions

Your Name and Title: Glenn Scott-Graduate Student-

School, Library, or Organization Name: San Jose State University

Co-Presenter Name(s): N/A

Country from Which You Will Present: United States

Language in Which You Will Present: English

Target Audience (such as primary school teachers, high school administrators, students, etc.): Primary School Teachers, Middle School Teachers, High School Teachers, and Human Resources Administrators, and School Principals.

Short Session Description (one line): How to use para-educators (teacher aides) and substitute teachers effectively in the classroom.

Full Session Description (one paragraph minimum): Many times teacher aides and substitute teachers are viewed by the regular teaching staff, school administrator and staff, and students as “not real teachers” therefore, not entitled to the same respect as the regular classroom teacher. Dr. Steve Perry in his book Push Has Come to Shove: Getting Our Kids the Education They Deserve, writes “It’s a simple fact: substitues don’t teach. When we have substitutes at Capital Prep, I’m very unhappy because no matter how good the lesson plans left behind, the kids end up essentially with a day off. A good sub hands out materials, turns on the movie, and keeps the kids from making too much noise. Substitute teachers are doing little more than babysitting students…” (p. 166).
This Session will suggest ways that teachers and school administrators can use teacher aides and substitute teachers as effective and positive teach and learning resources. Subsitute teachers should not be a disruptive or pause in student learning, but a continuation of the student’s learning presented by a different teacher. Teacher Aides are there to help teachers, not to sit in the corner of the classroom unseen or unheard from. Effective and positive use of teacher aides and subsitute teachers, especially in classrooms and schools that do not have the support of parents or volunteers in the classroom can increase student learning and enhance the learning experince for all involved.