I am working in a classroom with a first year teacher. I mostly work with two students who need extra help. When I am working with two students she comes over quite often and makes sure one student is behaving. Then today she kept checking make sure other student was doing the work. When she came over she didn’t even know where they were at on the lesson. She acts like I do not know how to help them, or she has give me all sorts of suggestions. She is first year and I have been working in education field a long time. It is very hard and I don’t know what to do.
First of all, I'm glad you found us! Second, it sounds less like she doesn't believe in your skills and more that she is unsure how to balance her power with your responsibility. Do you have any planning time together? If so, maybe you can take that opportunity to discuss each individual student's progress, behavior, and needs. Remind her that the two of you are partners: she provides the content and you supplement the skills. I've been in both positions, and it requires a lot of cooperation and tact. Wishing you all the patience and wisdom.
Thank you for the advice. We don’t have planning time together, but I have discussed students with her before. It is really hard because I am always afraid how people will react. I also do computer lab with her students..I tried make some suggestions about some other ideas for her students work on and she wanted to do things her way. Probably since then I have lost confidence to say anything. She hasn’t been receptive most of my suggestions so I feel unsure about saying too much. Don’t feel close enough her say anything else and because she hasn’t been receptive my suggestions I don’t feel very confident about offering anymore. I really appreciate your reply.
