Cardinal Charter Academy Innovative Teachers' Aide Program Helps Middle School Students Take Active Role in Teaching and Learning

CARY, N.C., March 12, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Students at Cardinal Charter Academy not only attend classes to learn, some middle schoolers elect a course that allows them to become classroom leaders to younger students acting as official teacher assistants. Teacher assistant tasks may include helping kindergarteners with sight word fluency, reading with first graders, designing bulletin boards, organizing papers and helping individuals or small groups with additional assistance. Seventh and eighth grade students are eligible to help younger students in assigned K-5 classrooms. It is a quarterly elective and has three rules for grading.

1. Students must always be on-time both coming to classes and leaving classes.
2. Students must always be respectful to teachers.
3. Students must always be respectful to the students to which they've been assigned.

Students who choose this elective find success taking time out of a regular class day to help others and refocus their energy. Some have a desire to possibly pursue teaching in the future and want to gain some first-hand experience. Others want to mentor younger students and feel like they are part of something bigger. It's a hands-on approach to learning that benefits everyone.

"In addition to helping the youngest students, this program helps fill gaps in 4th and 5th grade or specials that normally don't have support from teaching assistants," said Stephanie Klingler, assistant principal at Cardinal Charter Academy. "The program supports student learning because it's almost like teachers have another grown-up around to help. These assistants become mentors for the younger students and more students are able to get the extra support they need."

Teachers who are assigned an assistant see an immediate and real benefit to their students as well as seeing creativity and growth in their assistants.

"My student assistant, Jack, adds a student perspective to learning. He comes up with relatable ways to incorporate games into learning," said Jennifer Casillas who teaches kindergarten at Cardinal Charter Academy.

Amy Lare, another kindergarten teacher added, "It's very helpful for students of all abilities to have that extra one-to-one or small group times, especially with areas such as reading and sight words. It makes younger students feel special to have an older mentor to spend time with."

As a K-8 school, older students, whether they realize it or not, become role models for the younger students. This is a way of encouraging the older students to take that responsibility very seriously. The program ends up being beneficial to the mentors as well as the mentees.

"There was a student who entered the program with failing grades in some of his classes," added Klingler. "He was able to refocus his energy and put his enthusiasm into helping younger students and being part of their success. As a result, his grades have improved, and he is no longer failing.

Making the perfect match - assistants and teachers
When students sign up for their elective course as teaching assistants, administrators are very careful to place them in classrooms where students, assistants and teachers all benefit. Assistants can help in music, technology and art as well as traditional classrooms. Each students' strengths and passions are evaluated and utilized appropriately. For example, some assistants are assigned to help with math if math is their favorite or strongest subject. Others help with reading or computer work. It all depends upon each assistant's desires and abilities.

"Our assistant typically helps in math. There was one time when a student needed some extra love, attention, and support. I asked Jack to read with the student. Jack patiently allowed the student to read to him and the whole time he helped the student sound out and decode words using pictures. After the student was able to read the book independently, my assistant called me over to the desk and asked the student to read to me. The student read successfully, and Jack looked so proud of his mentee. It made me kind of emotional," added Casillas

Social benefits
The social benefits are also notable. According to Klingler, she has seen a noticeable difference in the way middle-schoolers comport themselves when younger students are around. She says that it seems like they know they serve as mentors and want to teach by example in the ways to act properly at school.

"I've watched teaching assistants help peer mediate and support younger students solve social problems in addition to helping them with classroom tasks," added Klinger. "I witnessed one of our eight graders, Isabella, comfort a first grader who was struggling with math. She said, 'Take a breath, calm down, we can do this.' That type of mature and nurturing behavior helps everyone."

"When teacher assistants enter a classroom, the younger students get very excited and want to be part of their groups. They want to work with them. Later, in hallways, it's common for mentors and mentees to greet each other warmly. It gives younger students a sense of security and gives older students a sense of purpose," added Klingler. "Whether the assistants are responsible for helping individual students or small groups or even if they are just present in the classroom to help with bulletin boards or organizing papers, the younger students see them as a cool older friend who cares about them."

May be one-of-a-kind in Cary
Cardinal Charter Academy's teacher's aide elective for middle school students may be the first of its kind in Cary.
"I'm not aware of any other programs of this nature," added Klinger. "As a K-8 school, we've found that this program eases some parents' apprehension of having their kindergarten child attend the same school as an eighth grader. When they see the older students interacting so positively with the younger students, it helps them understand the value."

Cardinal Charter Academy is focused on identifying innovative ways to involve all students in the learning process. The school earned a B grade in the 2017-2018 school year and is nearly full for enrollment with some grades having a wait list. Students may apply online at http://Cardinalcharter.org.

Media Contact:
Colleen Reynolds, APR - Public relations counselor for Cardinal Charter Academy (239)849-6400 or edgecommunications(at)comcast.net

SOURCE Cardinal Charter Academy