Teachers and Teachers’ Aides Working Together is a professional development resource for schools. It has nine modules that teachers and teachers’ aides complete together.

1. MODULE 2 PRESENTATION
Keeping our work confidential,
professional and safe

2. Why this module?
» Working together in a
professional relationship
requires teachers and
teachers’ aides to identify
the ways they are
connected, at school and
in the wider community.
2MODULE 2: Keeping our work confidential, professional and safe

3. When professional and private lives overlap
» It’s good to know more about your students
» It’s tricky to work in the same community you live in
» You might have conflicting demands on you
professionally.
3
When school matters are
discussed socially, are you
in your professional role,
talking as a friend or as a
community member?
MODULE 2: Keeping our work confidential, professional and safe

4. Knowing the Privacy Act 1993
» Practice must comply with the Privacy Act 1993
» Keep information you learn about students and
families/whānau private and confidential
» Only share information in the school with those
supporting the student.
4MODULE 2: Keeping our work confidential, professional and safe

5. Creating partnerships with
families/whānau
» Show respect for students’ privacy in how you
communicate with their family/whānau – value their
knowledge and input
» Be clear on the right time and place for conversations
with family/whānau
» Some conversations will be appropriate for the teacher
to have and others for the teacher’s aide to have – reach
agreement on this.
5MODULE 2: Keeping our work confidential, professional and safe

6. Knowing what to do for an at-risk student
» If you believe a student is
at risk, it is your
responsibility to discuss
your concerns with senior
management.
6MODULE 2: Keeping our work confidential, professional and safe

7. Keeping yourself safe
» Follow your school’s health and safety policies
» Get specialist training if you provide personal or physical
care for students
» Consider safety when working with older students
eg, work in a group instead of one-to-one, work with
students of the same gender.
7
What helps to keep you
safe in your work?
MODULE 2: Keeping our work confidential, professional and safe

8. Working as a team
» Working together effectively in a busy classroom
requires a strong collaborative relationship:
– identify any conflict areas
– clarify expectations
– agree on how to raise issues
– agree on how to problem-solve.
8MODULE 2: Keeping our work confidential, professional and safe

9. Keeping up the good work
» Regular meetings help build and maintain your
professional relationship
» Meetings provide
opportunities to:
– plan
– reflect
– celebrate
– problem-solve.
9MODULE 2: Keeping our work confidential, professional and safe

10. Next step?
Download the workbook for this
module at:
teachersandteachersaides.tki.org.nz/
Our-roles/Module-2
To find out more about Teachers and
Teachers’ Aides Working Together
and to access the other modules
go to:
teachersandteachersaides.tki.org.nz
10MODULE 2: Keeping our work confidential, professional and safe