Intervention teachers instruct students in and out of the classroom. They might pull students and tutor them in designated study areas or go into the classroom while the lesson is being taught and offer assistance to struggling students. Some schools might assign each intervention teacher a roster of students to work with on a continual basis. Other schools might utilize intervention teachers to help students randomly, according to who needs help any given day. They usually focus on reading, math and language arts classes, but might be called on to assist in other academic areas.
Intervention teachers have to monitor their students frequently to determine their level of progress. They can use informal observations, teacher-created quizzes or online assessments. These measures are not intended to be in-depth. Rather, intervention teachers assess specific skills across a period of time like one nine weeks or a semester.
Intervention teachers can help motivate students to perform better academically, because they have more time with them face to face than a classroom teacher who has to focus on many children at one time. With encouragement and support, in addition to tutoring, an interventionist can make a long-term difference in a child's life. A child will probably be more motivated if they know other people are investing in their future.
Intervention teachers don't function in isolation. They have to communicate often with the classroom teachers and collaborate with them concerning lesson plans and student progress. This interaction is necessary, because interventionists must know the areas in which students are having difficulty. Working together as "team teachers" will hopefully result in their students' improved academic performance.
Intervention teachers will also compile reports that detail their students' progress. These reports can be used in parent/teacher conferences or to determine if students need further assistance. These reports will contain the latest assessment results, work samples if applicable and notes about observations made by the intervention teacher.