Maria Rose Isac

I am registered in EWC, and I am currently participating in a variety of professional development opportunities to improve my skills as a teaching assistant. I am taking online courses on inclusive education, online teaching, special needs support, and effective classroom management and the like. Moreover, I have completed online courses on safeguarding level 1 and level 2. Online teaching, Welsh language level 1 and other relevant certifications required for the teaching position. These courses provide useful insights and various ways for assisting students' learning. These courses provide opportunity to learn about cutting-edge teaching methods, best practices, and emerging educational trends. Additionally, I work as a supply teaching assistant at different schools across Swansea.

Supporting ALN pupils – encouraging inclusion & progress
As a voluntary teaching assistant for a year 5 ALN pupil, I supported a child who struggled with focus, numeracy skills, and social interaction due to additional learning needs. My responsibility was to provide structured interventions to improve the pupil’s engagement, confidence, and academic progress. I introduced multi-sensory learning techniques, such as counting games, number lines, and real-life problem-solving activities, to support numeracy development. Additionally, I facilitated social interaction exercises, encouraging the pupil to work collaboratively with peers. Over time, the pupil demonstrated improved participation, better number recognition, and increased confidence in group activities. The class teacher observed a significant reduction in disengagement and a more positive attitude towards learning.

Teamwork– assisting teachers & enhancing learning
As a teaching assistant, I worked alongside teachers to create a structured, purposeful, and supportive learning environment for pupils with varying abilities. My role involved assisting in lesson delivery, monitoring pupil progress, and ensuring that all pupils had equal access to learning. I supported the planning of lessons, adapted activities for pupils requiring additional help, and provided regular feedback to teachers on pupil engagement and progress. I also created interactive displays to encourage classroom participation and celebrate student achievements. Pupils showed increased confidence and engagement in their learning, with teachers benefiting from my detailed observations to tailor their lesson plans more effectively.

Deep understanding of curriculum and subject
In my role as a biology teacher trainee at NSS G.H.S. Perunna, India, I was tasked with helping class 8 students understand the concept of photosynthesis—a fundamental process in biology. Many of the students struggled with grasping how plants make their own food, and they were unclear about the steps involved and the role of sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide. My responsibility was to help the students comprehend the process of photosynthesis in a way that was both accessible and engaging. I aimed to break down the concept into smaller, understandable parts to enhance their overall understanding and curiosity about how plants sustain themselves. I began by explaining photosynthesis using simple language and diagrams. I used visual aids like posters and interactive models to demonstrate how plants absorb sunlight, take in water and carbon dioxide, and produce glucose and oxygen. To make the lesson more engaging, I incorporated hands-on activities such as leaf experiments to observe the production of oxygen and the role of chlorophyll. I facilitated group discussions where students could express their thoughts and ask questions, encouraging collaborative learning. Throughout the lesson, I used real-life examples (like the plants in our school garden) to connect the abstract process to something tangible and familiar. By the end of the unit, students demonstrated a solid understanding of photosynthesis, with many able to explain the process clearly during assessments and class discussions. The interactive experiments and hands-on approach sparked curiosity, with several students expressing a keen interest in learning more about plant biology and ecology. Test scores related to photosynthesis improved significantly, and students gained confidence in their ability to grasp complex biological concepts.

Enhancing digital learning & ICT integration
While working as an online tutor, i supported students preparing for neet and school admission exams, many of whom struggled with traditional learning methods. My objective was to improve student engagement and retention using digital learning techniques. I used digital whiteboards, interactive quizzes, and educational videos to create engaging lessons tailored to each student’s learning style. I also designed personalized learning plans based on individual strengths and areas for improvement. Students reported greater clarity in difficult subjects, improved exam performance, and increased confidence in their learning abilities. Many parents shared positive feedback, highlighting their children’s renewed enthusiasm for studying.

Literacy support & safeguarding
As a supply teaching assistant, I worked with a year 3 class, providing additional support to pupils in reading activities, outdoor supervision, and general classroom engagement. My responsibility was to enhance pupils’ reading confidence, ensure their safety and engagement during outdoor activities, and support the teacher in managing the class effectively. I assisted with classroom transitions, set up learning materials, and reinforced classroom rules to create a structured and positive learning environment. Teachers noted that the additional reading support and supervision helped maintain a positive learning atmosphere, contributing to better engagement and behaviour in the classroom. Classroom disruptions significantly decreased, and students developed greater self-discipline. The teacher reported that pupils were more engaged, cooperative, and confident in their learning. I worked with small groups and individual pupils, using guided reading sessions, and storytelling to improve their fluency, comprehension, and enjoyment of reading. I provided
encouraging feedback and helped pupils develop confidence in reading aloud. Pupils demonstrated greater confidence in reading, with improved word recognition and comprehension. Some children, who were previously reluctant readers, became more engaged and enthusiastic. I monitored pupils during playtime ensuring their safety, positive social interactions, and engagement in structured activities.

Numeracy support
In my role as a teaching assistant, I was tasked with assisting year 5 and 6 students who were struggling with numeracy concepts. Many of them had difficulty grasping key mathematical principles, such as fractions, multiplication, and division, affecting their overall confidence and performance in class. My responsibility was to help these students improve their numeracy skills by providing targeted support, tailored to their individual needs, in both group and one-on-one settings. I aimed to help them build a strong foundation in basic numeracy to boost their understanding and performance in mathematics. I assessed each student's understanding of key numeracy concepts through quick diagnostic tests. Worked
closely with the class teacher to ensure my support aligned with the curriculum and i was reinforcing what was being taught in the main lessons. Provided regular feedback and encouragement to the students to build their confidence and introduced more challenging problems gradually to promote growth. Feedback from the students was positive; they reported feeling more confident and engaged in math lessons.

Care experience – supporting well-being & development
In addition to my education roles, I have experience working in care settings, supporting individuals with diverse needs. My responsibility was to provide physical, and emotional support to ensure well-being, independence, and dignity. I assisted individuals with daily routines, personal care, and emotional well-being, working closely with families and professionals to implement personalized care plans. The individuals I supported became more confident in daily activities, developed better self-care skills, and showed improved social interaction, demonstrating the impact of my care-based approach.

Training & certifications
I have undertaken the following professional training to strengthen my ability to support pupils effectively. Additionally, my fire safety and safeguarding training enables me to ensure pupils are familiar with emergency procedures and school safety protocols.
• Safeguarding children level 1
• Safeguarding children level 2
• Autism awareness training
• Welsh language level 1
• Cyber safety
• GDPR awareness & fire safety training
• Positive behaviour support training
• Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training
• Health and Safety
• Fire Safety
• GDPR, Cyber Security and Recording Information
• Communication