How to Observe a Teaching Assistant
A teaching assistant, or TA, is someone who helps assist a professor or teacher with teaching duties. Teaching assistants are present at all levels of education. Those who work in elementary schools are commonly referred to as paraprofessionals and are usually adults, whereas some TAs in high school are students who attend the school. College TAs are oftentimes graduate students working for funding. Despite the level of teaching, a teaching assistant observation may be needed.
- Review the job description of the teaching assistant you will be observing. It is important to note what roles, capabilities and responsibilities were in the job description so you can evaluate if the assistant is effectively doing their job.
- Let the teaching assistant know that you are going to be performing an observation. Give them a time when they can expect you so they aren’t alarmed when you come into the classroom.
- Sit in the back of the classroom where students are less likely to notice you. Students can exhibit different behavior if there is a new person in the room, so try to make yourself as obscure as possible. You may want to introduce yourself and explain why you are there so the students aren’t wondering why there is a stranger in their classroom.
- Note the teaching style that the teaching assistant uses. It should be effective and age-appropriate for the group of students.
- Observe how well the teaching assistant has a handle on the class. Can he provide disciplinary actions when needed and do the students mind well?
- Note how the teaching assistant interacts with the students. She may have just as much or more interaction with the pupils than the teacher, so it is important that she has a good relationship with them. Watch how the students respond to help given by the teaching assistant, and if they seem to benefit from the interaction.
- Ask some of the students some questions about the teaching assistant. They are the ones dealing with him on a daily basis, and may have the best insight into how effective his teaching truly is.
- Hold a meeting with the teaching assistant and teacher if necessary after the observation. Let the assistant know what she is doing well, and address any issues that need additional work.