LSA Classroom Support Help!

muchoka · #1 (**permalink**) 17-02-2009, 10:58 AM

I started teaching last September. I was given an LSA with a history of failure as far as working with other teachers are concerned. This charater will never stay in the classroom. She would prompt and manipulate any situation to get out of classroom activities and yet she has a million ideas that can be adopted in the classroom. My line manager who indeed has worked with this character 10 years ago within the same school always ends up with excuses. She advised me to bring this issue up during her supervision. I tried last December and she threw a tantrum, questioning my qualification as well as capabilities of conducting her supervision.

In October, I was given a second LSA who of course she has now influenced as well. During his supervision a few weeks ago, he also questioned my capabilities of conducting a supervision. I told him that I was his line manager, and that it is my duty to conduct his supervisions. After this I feel that something not nice is going on... I am an OTT currently in my probationary year. Can anyone help with advice? LSAs in this school have been their for over 10 years. They are stuck in their old ways.

audrey · #2 (**permalink**) 17-02-2009, 11:21 AM

I really feel for you, it seems as though you have very little support when you are obviously needing it. Your mentor/supervisor should (now that you have approached the subject with the LSA) support you and back you up. At the end of the day you are the classteacher and no matter how long the LSA has been part of the school you are in charge of the class. I have to admit I've come across LSA's with real influence and it is not a pretty sight. Some schools will turn a blind eye just to avoid confrontation but at the end of the day this is not fair on you at all. You need to speak to your mentor/supervisor again and insist that she listens to you, at least that way you will be going through the proper channels before speaking to someone else (if necessary). Can anyone who has worked with her before offer any tactics that you could use.

It must be tough in your NQT year to have someone like this in your class and now influencing another member of staff. Be strong and proffessional though when dealing with her, I know it is tough but this may be 1/2 of the battle with her. She could just be pushing you to see how far she can go?

Good luck
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muchoka · #3 (**permalink**) 17-02-2009, 03:37 PM

OH!!!!! very many thanks audrey for your quick reply. I will set up a meeting with my mentor. The last time I spoke with her before end of term She gave me three options:

Talk to both LSAs the following day
My mentor to talk both LSAs alone without me(Mind you this is always her favourite strategy in dealing with conflicts)
To talk to both LSAs together after half term holidays

I choose number 3. Any positive strategies ? :D

audrey · #4 (**permalink**) 17-02-2009, 08:26 PM

By the way I forgot to say welcome to this very useful forum, it will prove to be source of advice and support to you in the future. Also well done on passing your teaching course and getting a job to secure your NQT year, always remember just how hard you worked to get where you are and the sacrifices that you have
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e to get where you are.

There will, Im sure be many other sources of advice following mine and as I said keep positive, you are in a difficult position and obviously wanting to complete your induction year (which you will with determination and a positive outlook).
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Just keep us posted and keep checking in to this forum for more advice from others.

NuttySupplier · #5 (**permalink**) 18-02-2009, 06:50 PM

Hi!

Just make sure your mentor lets the LSAs know that s/he backs you and not them!!

Good luck!

muchoka · #6 (**permalink**) 19-02-2009, 07:17 PM

Hi Nutty,
Very many thanks for this advice! Will have a quick chat with my mentor before this famous LSA meeting is fixed. I am having my supervision with her next week on tuesday. We will have a chat then to plan for the LSA meeting.

Gnomoospan · #7 (**permalink**) 20-02-2009, 07:33 AM

I have just read this and really feel for you. I hope the mentor will be with you in the meeting, you should not have to deal with these LSAs on your own. In fact I would insist someone is with you to cover your back and be a witness, sounds like a particularly nasty piece of work! Good luck will be holding everything crossed that it goes your way.

muchoka · #8 (**permalink**) 24-02-2009, 03:41 PM

Dear Gnomoospan
Very many thanks for your encouragement. Had my supervision today with my mentor! We will all have a meeting with both LSAs next week. My supervision didn't start off well anyway as she first broke September 2009 redundance news to me first before we could discuss the LSA issues. So I very upset even to go ahead to discuss other issues with her during the meeting.

Many thanks
Muchoka

Footiegirl · #9 (**permalink**) 24-02-2009, 06:33 PM

Muchoka, I could have written your post! I had exactly the same when I was in my first post. Unfortunately they completely knocked my confidence to the extent that they threatened to fail me in my nqt year after the second term so I left the school and never managed to complete my nqt year. I have now left the profession (but dont regret leaving at all), so please don't let that happen to you, keep telling anyone who will listen what is happening, keep making your mentor aware and demand she helps you. Is there anyone else at the school you can confide in/support you?

Hope the meeting with them goes well - let us know and whenever you need to offload we are here! xx

audrey · #10 (**permalink**) 24-02-2009, 07:49 PM

Hi Muchoka sorry things are still so tough for you. Footie Girl can obviously relate to what you are going through, like I said some LSA's are a force to be reckoned with. I get the impression that your mentor is not as supportive as she could be. If you can try and get your NQT year out of the way things may get easier for you as you could look elsewhere, surely that would be more manageable. Like Footie girl said don't let them get to you, I know that's easier said than done but you have worked hard to get where you are. It makes me so angry to know that you are going through this please confide in someone (possibly someone at the school or someone outside that you can trust to keep you sane). Don't get too bogged down with it all and treat yourself to something you enjoy, you sound as though you need it.
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anything that helps take your mind off it for a while.

We're all here for you just de-stress on here if you need to.

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