Why is Professional Development Essential for Teaching Assistants?

Teaching Assistants are a hugely valuable resource for schools around the world. However, sometimes they don’t contribute as much as they could, or as much as they would like, to the effectiveness of schools because they have not had an opportunity to follow a relevant training course. There are many reasons for this, including cost and the availability of suitable resources. EducatorsAbroad (EA) has an answer to how teaching assistants can acquire up-to-date, highly relevant training that will not break the bank of the TA or the school. The EA International Certificate for Teaching Assistants (EAICTA) is based on the tried and tested EA approach of working with educators who are committed to their own professional development, establishing school support from effective mentors and integrating the in-school work with high-quality, online materials and support from experienced EA supervisors. This is the same approach we use to enable unqualified teachers to gain QTS or the Wisconsin Licensure. When the TA has collected a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate that have met the standards, it is submitted to EA for the EAICTA. At the same time, effective mentors are awarded the EA mentoring certificate. So, how has this approach been received by Teaching Assistants?

In the words of one TA:

“First and foremost I will like to thank my supervisor for making me understand that distance is not a barrier to learning. The EA course is a very helpful programme that effectively and efficiently develop every aspect of teaching and relating to children. The fascinating part of the programme is that study materials are accessible. I encourage every TA to enrol and be part of this professional development programme,”- Asanat Ayilara, International Community School of Abidjan Ivory Coast.

Some schools have enrolled more than 10 of their TAs on this course with a reduction of 1/3 of the fee for each TA.

One mentor writes:

“The EAICTA course has been great for our teaching assistants who, albeit being qualified teachers in Brazil, are not familiar with the British education. This course has helped them develop their understanding of the British National curriculum, our school policies, and many essential aspects of the teaching profession, child development, child safety, and strategies and routines which they encounter here at school. The fact that they need to research and write in English has also helped them improve their language skills. They also feel valued as they find the course has helped them in their professional development,” – Victoria Hughes, Deputy Head of the Prep/Teaching Assistant Coordinator, St. Paul’s School – Brazil.