An investigation of the literature reveals seven personal attributes that teaching assistants (TAs) need to function in their daily tasks. These are:
1. Ability to relate or interact positively with students and teachers
2. Willing to participate in teamwork – a team player
3. Willing to share knowledge/teaching
4. Availability to accept and respond appropriately to instructions.
5. A supportive disposition: affectionate, patient and fair.
6. Flexibility
7. Critical reflection, to learn
While all of these are important, literary research reveals the ability to relate or interact positively with students and teachers and a disposition for teamwork as most important.
In 95% (n=47) of the studies consulted in the research, the personal attribute that is manifested most frequently and explicitly or implicitly is the ability of the AT to relate or interact positively with students and teachers. This is a personal attribute in use for 90% of the school day. It is used during educational tasks, such as whole class, small group, and individual instruction, and non-instructional tasks, such as monitoring a class of students during lunch or recess or helping students prepare for the school bus to take them away. to home.
The following actions are indicative of a TA that relates or interacts positively with students and teachers: showing pleasure and enjoyment of the students; interact with students and teachers in a responsive and respectful manner; offering to assist students and the teacher in the classroom to help them achieve academic goals and lesson objectives; help students reflect on their thinking and learning skills; know and demonstrate knowledge about individual students’ backgrounds, interests, emotional strengths, and academic levels, and avoid showing irritability or irritation toward students and the teacher. The research also highlights the fact that engaging or interacting with students in the ways listed here will help students achieve higher levels of achievement and help teachers not only achieve lesson objectives, but also facilitate learning. smooth flow of lessons.
It is important to note that the personal attribute of the ability to relate or interact positively with students and teachers can be cultivated by those for whom this may be an underdeveloped area.
The disposition for teamwork is the second most cited and highlighted important personal attribute by research. In addition to being an outstanding professional value expected of teaching assistants, the importance of TAs to being ‘naturally’ involved in teamwork and comfortable doing so cannot be overstated. This is important given their increasing role in schools, the diverse needs of students, and changes in legislation.
The ability to work well with the teacher (who has the training and experience) will help the teaching assistant navigate, modify, and adapt to events, inside and outside the classroom, that affect him or her. Given the nature of the work of ATs in schools, which, in addition to relating or interacting with students and teachers, also involves collaborating and sharing with teachers and other ATs, the absence of this personal attribute may render them powerless to perform the role.