I am a teacher aide in Erie 1 BOCES Southtowns Academy for the Alternative Education Program.  My job is to see that students do what is expected of them throughout the day and to assist the teachers in any helpful way that is needed.

I monitor the halls when the students get off their busses in the morning to start the day at Southtowns.  I help serve nutrition and lunch  to both groups of students in the program, OSP (Occupational Student Program) and ALP (Alternative Learning Program). I make sure that nutrition runs smoothly and students behave in line while waiting for nutrition. 

I monitor the halls in between classes to see that the students go to the proper classes without lingering in the hallways or the lavatories.

I monitor the students who arrive late to see that they do not disturb classes that are already in progress.  I also make sure that students who have late arrival are accounted for, and students who have early dismissal leave without lingering. 

I help monitor Physical education classes for both programs and try to be in the hallways for those who try to sneak out of gym period.  

If a student is put in ISS (in school suspension) for the day or how ever long they are put in there for, I notify the teachers that the student is in ISS and monitor the work and see that they do the work the teacher sends for them to do.

If any of the teachers should need my assistance anytime during the day they just call on me to come and help out.

At the end of the day I monitor dismissal and wait with the students until their busses arrive to take them home.  My job is not done for the day until the last student either gets picked up or gets on the bus.

I really enjoy working with the Alternative Education Program.  It makes my job worthwhile to know that I was there to be supportive to students at risk.