TA TALK

Issue 33

July 2018

We are excited to be launching the first ever Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week from 3-7 September 2018.

Every day, ATA hears about the amazing work teacher aides do, to support students, their teachers, and the school community.

Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week will give everyone whose lives are touched by the hard work and dedication of their teacher aides, a chance to Say 'ta' to a TA.

We know that some education departments have a special day to acknowledge teacher aides but

we believe it is time to raise the profile of paraprofessional educators, nationally.

You can learn more about the celebrations on Tuesday 28 August when we launch Teacher Aide Appreciation Week with a live web event, titled Teacher Aides - Making a Difference. 

Read more about this and other great professional development available, below.

Wishing you a fabulous term 3.

With warm regards

Stella and Mandy

Where can I find my Certificates? 

When you become a member of ATA, a Certificate of Membership is automatically created for you. When you attend our live webinar events you receive a Certificate of Attendance. You can also request a certificate after completing professional development from our PD library. View our FAQ to find out how to access your certificates.

MEMBER WEBINAR: The Mistaken Goals of Behaviour

Did you know that the feelings triggered by inappropriate behaviour can hold important clues to the way you respond to the behaviour? Learn why a student’s behaviour might cause you to feel annoyed, angry, hurt or helpless, and explore how your responses can either reinforce the behaviour or empower the student to learn more appropriate ways to have their needs met.

COMMUNITY WEBINAR: Working With Students With Learning Differences

Do you know what a learning difference is and how to assist a student if they have one? Marion McMahon from SPELD QLD presents a very practical, fast paced webinar where you will learn tips to identify students who may have a learning difference, what to do, and some practical strategies to implement immediately.

MEMBER WEBINAR: Helping Students Develop Positive Social Relationships

- Tuesday 14th August 2018 @ 4:15pm

Until recently it was believed that when students do well at school, it makes them feel good. It is now thought this is the other way around; that is, when students feel good, they have the motivation to do well. Join us to explore five areas of social emotional well-being that can help students manage their emotions and establish positive social relationships.

COMMUNITY WEBINAR: Teacher Aides - Making a Difference

- Tuesday 28th August 2018 @ 4:15pm

3 - 7th September is Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week. During this week, especially, we encourage all schools around Australia to acknowledge and celebrate the important support role of teacher aides. You are invited to join us for this live web event to find out how you can be involved and hear from educators about the difference TAs make in their schools.

TA TOOLBOX - Behaviour

The Mistaken Goals Chart is based on Alfred Adler, and Rudolph Dreikurs’ Democratic Teaching Model. It describes four disruptive behaviours that are common in classrooms, and can be used to recognise the reasons behind many behaviours, and learn about proactive ways to respond.    

POST 1 - Teacher aides  'the unsung heroes in education'

13,085 views

708 reactions, comments and shares

'Where would we be without our teacher aides' posted one follower. We totally agree! Our upcoming Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week is an opportunity for all schools to celebrate and acknowledge their teacher aides. But please don't wait -  do it today, and tomorrow and everyday each year.

POST 2 - Body contact and brain development

9,422 views
588 reactions, comments and shares

Latest research reveals, the more you hug your kids, the smarter they get. Basically, affection is vital for development of the brain. So, parents,  keep hugging your kids!

• Do staff miss out on PD because of a limited budget?
• Is it difficult to source suitable PD for TAs?
• Is performance and development planning for TAs time consuming?

If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, we can help!