Reason #699

One teacher per room is not enough.

I realize that schools cannot always afford to put a full-time aide in every room, and that not all teachers want another person in their room. However, when two people understand each other and enter a room with the same goals, the same priorities, it is a beautiful thing.

Today I was lucky enough to have one of the best aides in the building in my room for the literacy block. She did two guided reading groups while I worked with students one-on-one. She cut things and stapled things (tasks I normally do at home or during my prep). I cannot say enough what an enormous difference it made in my room. Everyone was more on task. Everyone was more accountable. Sixteen children got specialized attention in just an hour.

The amount of learning that happened this morning, one day before the break -- Christmas Eve Eve Eve no less -- is a testament to the fact that every teacher should have help.