Teacher Assistant's Onboarding Project
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The Problem
We were facing a high turnover rate among classroom assistant teachers. In addition, lead teachers reported difficulties in training their interns effectively, since each teacher conducted the process differently and without consistent support materials.
I therefore identified the need to develop a specific onboarding program for this audience with the goal of:
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Welcoming interns in a supportive way and integrating them into the school culture
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Standardizing the initial training to ensure they clearly understood their essential classroom responsibilities
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Supporting lead teachers by reducing the burden of training and freeing their time for planning and instruction
The Solution
I designed a structured onboarding program specifically for classroom assistants that combined digital modules with interactive live sessions.
Key features included:
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Self-paced e-learning modules in Rise introducing school values, daily routines, and assistant responsibilities
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Practical checklists and job aids for classroom routines and documentation support
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Scenario-based activities simulating common challenges assistants face (e.g., supporting transitions, documenting learning observations)
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Live workshops via Teams to reinforce content, foster connection, and provide space for questions
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Mentorship system - pairing each assistant with a more experienced teacher for guided practice
Results
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Engagement: 100% completion rate of online modules within the first two weeks
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Confidence: Assistants reported a significant increase in confidence in carrying out their daily responsibilities (pre/post survey)
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Efficiency: Lead teachers noted smoother classroom routines and reduced time spent on training assistants
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Feedback: Coordinators highlighted improved consistency across classrooms and lower assistant turnover in the following term
