In the newest installment of our “10 Questions With” series, we spoke with Teaching Assistant Raymond Bagley II. Raymond has worked at the Eden School for over a year.
What is a typical day like for you as a TA at the Eden School?
I’m in the High School 3-4 classroom, so I have some of the oldest kids. In the morning, it’s prep time (and coffee time). Everyone does their paperwork before the bus time announcement over the intercom. Then, if my student isn’t in by bus time, it’s figuring out where I’m going and who I can assist. We all spend the day actively supporting each other.
Why did you choose this career?
Honestly, I never saw myself working with kids. ABA, as a form of psychology, interested me in high school. I learned more about it when I was in undergrad, and I knew I wanted to keep going with it when I went to grad school.
I’ve always had an interest in human behavior and why we do the things that we do, especially since we all come from different backgrounds and environments. You see it a lot with our students. The students who come from different schools have different protocols they’re used to, and you must help them get acclimated to Eden’s protocols, which can be challenging. But, when you see an intervention or a protocol work for the first time, and you personally assisted, it is a rewarding feeling.
What is the most surprising thing you learned about yourself since you started working at Eden?
My ability to adapt because it’s never a typical day. The students that you are working with can shift over the summer, and you can have different students in September, or at any time, really, when staffing changes. When you sub in a different room, you have different kids in a new setting with different staff. It’s about being able to do your job as best you can, and typically, that means just trying because that’s all we can do.
If you could go back in time and give yourself one piece of advice on your first day at Eden, what would it be?
Don’t take stuff to heart, and try your best. It’s a lot right away — student behaviors, protocols, trainings, new staff — but the higher-ups know it is a lot to manage too. Advocate for yourself! If you have an issue, talk to someone. Everyone is here to try to help you, and you need to remember to also take care of yourself too.
If you had $1 million to spend but only one day to spend it all, what would be your first purchase?
I would pay off my student loans and pay off my parents’ house. If I had a third wish, I’d buy myself a house and pay it off.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Japan. I have a couple of friends who have lived in Japan, and I have an appreciation for the culture and the food.
What is your favorite food?
Buffalo Chicken anything! Sandwich, fries, tenders, pizza, wings, mac & cheese. Can’t get enough.
What do you want people to know about your students?
Ultimately, they all have more abilities than some people would assume. Each student is unique, there’s never a “one size fits all” type of protocol. Sometimes what makes them unique can be very challenging, but it could just take more patience. That patience can lead to a better understanding of the students! And when you do finally connect with a new student, you feel great about it.
What’s your biggest goal for the students at Eden in the upcoming year?
Progress! At other places I’ve worked, it can be hard to see progress, but here you see it every day in some way, shape, or form.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
Connecting with people! I already mentioned that connecting with the students is always rewarding. But you also get a chance to meet like-minded individuals and you’re all here to do the same thing. There are so many different personalities among my coworkers, but we support each other in different ways, and we find time to laugh too which helps everyone.
