I was recently hired as a teacher's assistant at the Ritenour School for Early Childhood Education. (Long title...basically I work in a preschool classroom.) :) My first day of work was on my birthday, so I've been there for 3 weeks. We currently have 13 children from 3-5 years of age. I am really enjoying it so far.
I went to work super pumped and excited and ready to dive in on the first day. But I quickly had to put on the brakes and adjust to this new situation. I went from a highly sought-after sub, to the least important person in the room. Now don't get me wrong . . . I'm important, but what makes me good at my job is making the lead teacher shine. And the kids come first, naturally. So it was just an adjustment for me. Not "bad" . . . just different. Plus, I had no say in the decision-making process or lesson planning. I just show up. So that first week was a bit hard as the realization hit. It was hard for the lead teacher too. This is her first year of teaching. She is new to the district and new to this area. She had a substitute TA for the first few weeks and she was used to doing everything herself.
Now that I've learned how to communicate by asking questions and how to present my ideas as further ways to achieve her goals, we are starting to find our stride. And she understands that I don't mind a challenge and that I'm willing to work and assume responsibility when needed, but that I validate her role as "the teacher" in the room.
In a lot of ways, this is my dream job. I get to teach and influence kids by helping behind the scenes mostly or when an impromptu need arises. I get to show up right on time, interact with the kids and do all the crafty preparations, but when I leave for the day, I leave my work and worries behind. The pay is less than a teacher, of course, but the stress is so much less too. I get paid the same amount now as I did substitute teaching from day to day. Subbing for long term positions paid more, but this is a guaranteed job every day with no stress of worrying where I'll be, what time I'll need to leave in the morning, and if I'd need a sitter for the girls before or after school. Plus, I don't have to deal with the crazy student behavior a sub is rewarded with and I get to see the growth of "my" class. No grades. No questions. ahhhhh . . . teaching genuinely with developmentally appropriate practices. :)
