In my role as a principal, I often talk to school districts about the value of their support for our students in elementary and middle schools. I hear about how all too often support staff are asked to do more support oriented work or they are required to do activities that don’t really support the educational needs of our students. Some middle schools and elementary schools have become so dependent on technology that they have completely ignored the fact that most students are learning on their own through their own personal devices and on their own schedules. The result has been that many teachers are not equipped or trained to work with these new types of technology. Many schools have actually chosen to remove support staff jobs that were based on the fact that they couldn’t keep up with the demands of supporting these new and different technologies.
This trend is troubling. There are many support functions within every school including, but certainly not limited to, reading specialists, art majors, science lab assistants, physical education instructors, gym class leaders, parental and teacher support, supervisory staff, and even special education teachers. In middle schools and elementary schools, where most students are learning reading, writing, math, science, and social studies, these support teacher jobs are especially important. Yet, they are being systematically eliminated from classrooms across the country.
There is a tremendous need for qualified teachers to help children learn. There is no substitute for an experienced, motivated teacher’s hands on experience. In order for any child to be successful in learning a new concept or technique, there must be teaching practices that support that new understanding. If teachers are not supported by effective teaching practices, then students will naturally try to find their own ways to demonstrate that they understand. This can quickly lead to bad habits forming and can ultimately result in failure.
When students do not feel supported and appreciated, then they will naturally try to find someone to support them. Teachers, who do not have their own support, can fall into this trap and will fail to do their best work. It has been found that effective teachers have always had personal support from other teachers, or their own school administration. When these strong relationships are lacking, effective teaching can be very difficult. However, when teachers are providing their support in other settings, such as classrooms, their students tend to be more positive about the process and actually perform better sostegno strumenti compensativi.
In order to have effective classroom support, it is important that teachers have strong relationships with the people who shape their students’ futures. These relationships can be built through a teacher’s desire to provide genuine support, which is not based on a paycheck, but rather based on a mutual understanding of what each person can contribute to the other. A great teacher will be interested in the needs of each individual student. As they take the time to listen to the individual and build a trusting relationship, teachers can provide that additional boost the students need to succeed.
Unfortunately, in today’s economy, the quality of teachers in our public schools is on the decline. In many areas across the United States, the number of teachers who have been laid off their positions is at an all time high. Many of these teachers have been able to keep their jobs by offering their services to other schools. However, even though these teachers may be willing to take on these lower paying positions, they are unlikely to receive the support they need from their fellow teachers.
When teachers are willing to put their necks out for their students, the school administrators stand behind them wholeheartedly. They know that without their support and the encouragement from the school administration, a lot of teachers will simply not try to maintain their current levels of performance. School administrators know that they cannot let this happen. Therefore, they have all worked very hard to establish relationships with their teachers. Supporting teachers is a primary compensatory tool that school administrators use to ensure that the children in their care receive the best possible start in life.
Schools have become very competitive places. Many people who work at such places are required to work long hours and go home tired. This creates a psychological problem amongst some of the younger employees. Therefore, if the school system does not provide adequate support primary compensatory tools, it will be difficult for these employees to maintain their motivation.
