#instructionalassistant

[vicqui]

Assisting Teacher! When I work for LAUSD, via Zoom, as a Special Education Instructional Assistant I assist the teacher, but when I’m the student in my Creative Writing class on Saturdays, my cat Zombie is the assistant. #lausd #specialeducation #instructionalassistant #creativewriting #lacc (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CM79YIfh3VS/?igshid=svnlqja5e9z2

[live-laugh-love-teach-blog]

A Moment of Reflection

Just like with most everything else, when something is coming to an end, you tend to take a step back to reflect.  While I did not think this school year would end, we’re only two months away from the last day of school.  While my students never thought high school would end, my seniors now are on the brink of graduation!  So, as this semester comes to a close, I am taking a step back and looking at all that has happened over the last semester.  

Though I have had exposure to the area of Connected Learning, this semester, I was encouraged to take a step further by looking at Equity in Education, while also taking a look into my journey that has enabled me to be where I currently am. 

I started my journey by pursuing a degree in English and secondary education.  After graduating from college and after moving back home, it was difficult finding a job as a secondary English teacher.  Thus began my two-year stint as a pre-school teacher.  While I enjoyed being a pre-school teacher, I felt as though I was not complete.  At this point, I made the decision to go back to school to pursue a Master’s of Science degree in Special Education.  Unfortunately, this conflicted with my work schedule, forcing me to switch jobs.  This actually ended up being a blessing in disguise, as I was able to find a job as an Instructional Assistant in an 11th grade Learning Support classroom.  Not only was I able to complete my program and attain my degree, but I also was able to garner an insane amount of experience that helped lead me to my current position.  Presently, I am working as an Autistic Support teacher at the high school level, while working to attain a Master’s of Education degree with endorsements in Autism and Connected Learning.  While my last graduate program helped me in terms of getting a job, this particular program is helping me to be better with my job.  Slowly, but surely, I’ve been making small moves.  These small moves include incorporating project-based learning and technology-based lessons into my units.  The eventual goal, though, is to create a full curriculum with lessons that utilized connected learning ideologies.  Not only will this make the curriculum more fun, but I really do believe the students will get more out of the lessons.

With that said, let’s actually take a minute to talk about my students.  My students are limited in certain skill sets that tend to come more easily to some of their typically developing peers, thereby creating an unequal playing field.  As a result, education is not so equitable for my kiddos, as well as for other students in a variety of differing situations.  This semester really forced me to think about equity in education, which then enabled me to realize how inequitable education is for so many students.  

Thus, we come to my goal.  My goal is to do my best to make my students’ education as equitable as I possibly can by enabling them with as many resources as I have up my sleeve to increase their chances of success both in and out of the classroom.  My goal is to do this by working toward incorporating more connected learning ideologies into my curriculum, while also consulting with other classroom teachers to help them do this as well.  

It’s funny how life takes us on journeys we neither dreamed of nor thought possible.  So now, it’s my turn to help my students begin journeys that they too neither dreamed of nor though possible!

Always,

Ms. J

[vikapdesigns]

It’s often a difficult job, that has a lot of ups and downs.🧐 The pay definitely isn’t incentive for the amount of work that we do.😕 But the rewards of knowing that you are directly effecting the future of the world you live in and that you are making a change in others... that’s priceless!😍 — #instructionalassistant #behavior #behavioralinterventionist #educator #educators #teacher #teacherlife #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #school #tshirt #tshirts #assistant — #vikapdesigns #kareempinkston #nigumo #job #work (at Rancho Buena Vista High School)

[jennysev]

As our kids get ready to start school next week, I want to thank all my teacher and IA's friends; and remind everyone that this is as new to them as it is for us parents, so please be kind. We are all learning, but with the right attitude it will be the best year yet.😉❤ #classroom #students #teacherlife #schoollife #schooldays #textbooks #schoolflow #work #instaschool #teacher #classess #teachers #schooltime #class #school #virtual school #online learning #patience #buildingtheplanewhileflyingit #buildingtheplaneaswefly #positiveattitude #instructionalassistant https://www.instagram.com/p/CEuNXWPpi1r/?igshid=1ris2lf9r0253

[principaldennishobbs-blog]

Irreplaceable

When you find something that is irreplaceable, you keep it and cherish it. I believe I speak for the entire school when I use the words: Dedicated, Hardworking, Above and Beyond, Loving, Caring, Do Whatever It Takes, Partner in Crime, Creative, Warm, Enthusiastic and the list goes on and on...but there is one word that describes them to me...IRREPLACEABLE.

This is about our Instructional Assistants. They are the backbone to our school, they are so valuable to what we do everyday and how we operate as a school. The value our Instructional Assistants bring to Park View elementary is unmeasurable.

Over my educational career I have worked at 8 different schools in 4 different school districts and the work that our Instructional Assistants do is like none other.

The amount of time and effort they put in to make sure that student is successful is unremarkable.

The love and care they put in to ensure that students have a good day and had at least one thing to smile about that day even if when he/she goes home to a tough home environment.

The confidence and inspiration they instill in our students on a daily basis.

The instruction they supply for our students to ensure they continue to learn and meet the expectations needed to be a successful and and great overall person.

The life lessons that they embed in the students to help mold and create character traits that will make them into a strong, positive young man or women.

Our IA's wear so many hats on a daily basis; nurse, parent, teacher, supporter, counselor, assistant, friend, co-worker, assistant. They do everything from checking homework folder, working with students in small groups , completing interventions, monitoring students on the playground, taking them to and from enhancements, assisting students in and out of their car, supporting your teachers, helping with paper work, and there is so much more.

When I watch the interaction with the students and assistants it truly melts my heart. The love and care that they show to the assistants. That shows me how important you are in the role of our school, just by the way students respond to you.

You have truly embodied the entire role of an Instructional Assistant at Park View.

I wanted to take this moment to say...THANK YOU!!! We appreciate everything you do for our school, students and community. 

[coupdehaha]

Thank you to all the Instructional Assistants out there #todaysportrait #arteducation #instructionalassistant (at Century High School)