TA TALK

Issue 34

August 2018

As we write this newsletter, we have a sense we are coming into a very exciting time for teacher aides, teachers and school communities. Next week, 3rd - 7th September, is Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week and on Tuesday 28th August, we officially launched this event with a tribute webinar titled, Teacher Aides - Making a Difference.

During this webinar we announced the very first Australian Teacher Aide of the Year Award. This award will be open for nominations until Friday 28th September and the winner will be announced on Monday 22nd October. The online nomination form, and nomination details, are available on our Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week web page. This page also provides lots of ideas on how to celebrate at school next week.

We really hope you will get behind this week, and as part of your celebrations submit a nomination for one of your outstanding teacher aides. Nominations are coming in thick and fast, so make sure your school gets a look in!

Last, but not least, a huge thank you to all ATA teacher aide members across Australia for everything you do for students, teachers and school communities. Just remember, you really do make a difference!

Warm regards

Stella and Mandy

AUSTRALIAN TEACHER AIDE APPRECIATION WEEK

Stuck for ideas on how to celebrate Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week? Go to our dedicated page for suggestions and support resources. Then, next week ... party, party, party!

MEMBER WEBINAR: Helping Students Develop Positive Social Relationships

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. In this webinar, we explore five major areas of social emotional well-being that can help students manage their emotions, establish positive social relationships and learn more effectively.

COMMUNITY WEBINAR: Teacher Aides Making a Difference

This webinar is a tribute to all Australian teacher aides and marks the launch of Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week, 3rd - 7th September 2018. In this webinar, Cheryl White, Digital Technologies Advisor and huge advocate for teacher aides at Clontarf Beach State School, joins us as a panelist to share how the TAs in her school make a difference. We also include feedback from other school leaders about the positive impact their TAs have on students, teachers and the school community. 

BLOG: Teacher Aides Make a Difference

At ATA we believe that teacher aides make a difference. After all, our vision is for teacher aides to be recognised as paraprofessionals nationally, and to be provided with opportunities to reach their potential in schools.

MEMBER WEBINAR: How to Avoid Burnout – A Guide to TA Wellbeing

- Tuesday 11th September 2018 @ 4:15pm

Did you take care of yourself today? In this webinar, we will explore emotional, social and professional wellbeing, and share strategies to manage stress, take better care of yourself and avoid burnout.

COMMUNITY WEBINAR: Surviving Power Struggles at School

- Tuesday 25th September 2018 @ 4:15pm 

Join ATA guest presenter, Pav Cosmatos, Youth Worker and Counsellor, as he takes you through a simulated experience that demonstrates how to survive power struggles and build more positive relationships at school.

POST 1 - Important update re Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week

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3,229 reactions, comments and shares

On 21st August, we announced that we had created a special web page for Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week, complete with ideas for celebrations and supporting resources. This announcement created a huge buzz - just what we intended! If you didn't know about this week beforehand, there is no escaping the hype now :)

POST 2 - Invitation to join us for the launch of Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week

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480 reactions, comments and shares

When we invited our Facebook community to join us at our special tribute webinar, Teacher Aides - Making a Difference, we were thrilled to see how far the word spread. For some of you, this was the first time you had heard about Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week and we were buoyed by your enthusiasm for the event.

How does your school ensure TAs have access to relevant professional development?

Over the years teacher aides have evolved from parent volunteers to paraprofessional educators. They are now a critical part of the teaching team in schools and therefore must be included in school developing performance planning.

On the eve of Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week, we congratulate our ATA member schools for recognising the value of investing in your education support teams. If your school does not yet have a firm plan for the continuing professional development of teacher aides, and you would like more information about how we can help, please get in touch.