ABSTRACT
Working in a team means celebrating successes together and supporting each other when times are difficult. Team work relies on trusting and respectful relationships between teachers and teaching assistants (TAs), and as A. Howes notes: effective teamwork cannot be easily subsumed into a relationship between leaders and led, when the process is as complex as teaching and learning in mainstream classrooms. Where schools promote and encourage lifelong learning for everyone in the school the overall team is more likely to be successful. Being explicit about roles and responsibilities can improve the effectiveness of teams. Developing good listening skills, questioning and extending others ideas, motivating others and developing others' skills and abilities are part of good teamwork. The most important relationship in school for many TAs is with the class teacher that they support. Working effectively in a team and relating well to others are key skills for becoming a brilliant TA.
