Teaching assistant in a special school
"A good teaching assistant is fair, has empathy for other people, and knows how to manage difficult situations. In this work, you need good interactive skills and patience because I have to repeat the same simple things to the pupils many times during the day."
- The name is not published at the request of the interviewee.
- I work as a teaching assistant in a special school in the municipality of Kirkkonummi.
- I hold a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the Häme University of Applied Sciences.
- I have one year’s work experience in the field.
Briefly explain what you do for a living.
I work as a teaching assistant in a special school for autistic children and children with developmental disorders or extensive learning difficulties. I work with children in two groups, one of which has pupils from grades 1 to 4 and the other one pupils from grades 5 to 7. I assist pupils during classes and during the rest of the school day.
How have you ended up in the profession of your choice?
I have completed general upper secondary school and qualified as a hairdresser. I have also worked in the retail sector, in an equestrian shop, among other places. I recently graduated as a Bachelor of Business Administration but I currently work as a teaching assistant because it is difficult to find work in my own field.
Describe your typical working day or week.
In the morning, the pupils arrive and I help them to take off their outerwear. After the morning routines, the pupils move on to the classes and start their assignments. During breaks, pupils may need help in such matters as going to the toilet. Many pupils also need assistance during meals.
In the afternoon, I assist older pupils in their classes or younger pupils in afternoon clubs.
What kind of work environment or working hours do you have?
I work in a special school. On weekdays, I work from nine to three but on Thursdays, I already start at eight, and on Fridays, I work until half past four. There is some flexibility in my working hours.
What kind of competence or qualities are required in the profession?
A good teaching assistant is fair, has empathy for other people, and knows how to manage difficult situations. In this work, you need good interactive skills and patience because I have to repeat the same simple things to the pupils many times during the day.
What is the best thing about your profession?
The moments when everything goes smoothly and when the children are happy as well as nice colleagues are the best part of my work.
What are the downsides of the profession or what seems challenging?
The work is stressful because it is fast-paced and there is a lot of noise. I also encounter violence every day, and it is not always possible to take breaks. Unfortunately, I do not think that the pay is proportional to the challenges you face in this job.
What would you tell a person considering the profession of a teaching assistant?
I was surprised by how demanding the work in a special school is but at the same time, it has also broadened my world view. It is important to understand that working as a teaching assistant in an ordinary school is a completely different matter. Pupils in a special school are not always cooperative, and sometimes even going to a toilet can be quite an experience.
How do you see the future of your profession?
Pupils are facing more and more challenges and the pressures to cut spending increase them further. In the future, we need even more competence in the field of children’s special needs.