Working as an auxiliar in Spain is an incredible experience, but like any workplace, sometimes situations come up that need to be addressed. Miscommunications happen. Expectations can be unclear. And occasionally, you might find yourself unsure about how to handle something at school. If that happens, the most important thing to remember is this: start small and work your way up.
There’s a natural order to solving issues within a school, and following that order can help prevent misunderstandings and unnecessary tension.
Step 1: Talk to Your Mentor First
Your mentor teacher should always be your first point of contact. They are the person assigned to guide you and help you navigate the school system. If something feels confusing or uncomfortable, the best thing you can do is simply ask for a conversation.
Sometimes what feels like a problem is actually just a misunderstanding about roles, expectations, or scheduling. Having an open conversation with your mentor can often clear things up quickly. And just as important, keep them updated if something is bothering you. Communication really is everything in this role.
Step 2: Escalate to the Director if Needed
If you talk with your mentor and the issue still isn’t resolved, the next step would be to speak with the director of the school. The director oversees the school and can help step in if something cannot be resolved at the teacher level. Most issues never get this far, but it’s good to know that there is another level of support within the school if needed.
Step 3: Contact the Conselleria (Last Resort)
If you’ve spoken with both your mentor and the director and the issue still hasn’t been resolved, that’s when you can reach out to the Conselleria. The Conselleria oversees the auxiliar program and can help clarify policies, responsibilities, and expectations.
However, this should really be considered a last resort. Schools generally prefer that concerns be handled internally first.
What If the Issue Is With Your Mentor?
Sometimes the situation is a bit more complicated. If the issue you’re having involves your mentor directly, it can feel uncomfortable bringing it up to them. In that case, consider speaking with another teacher you work with, especially another English teacher.
They might be able to give you advice, offer another perspective, or even help mediate the situation.
A Lesson I Learned My Second Year
I’m sharing this because I actually went through something similar during my second year. I won’t go into all the details, but I had a situation where I wanted clarification about something related to my role. I first reached out to my mentor about having a discussion. I also asked a few other auxiliares for their perspective. The problem was that I started getting conflicting information.
Because I was still unsure, I ended up reaching out to the program (the Conselleria) to ask for clarification. My mentor was very disappointed that I had done that. But looking back, I honestly don’t regret anything I said or did. My intention was simply to understand the situation better. When we finally sat down and talked about everything, it became clear that the entire situation came down to miscommunication and misunderstanding.
No one had bad intentions. We just weren’t fully on the same page.
Why Communication Matters So Much
If there’s one thing I learned from that experience, it’s this: Always communicate early and often. Talk with your mentor. Ask questions. Make sure expectations are clear. And keep people informed if something feels unclear or confusing. A quick conversation can often prevent a much bigger misunderstanding later.
Final Advice
Working in a school environment means working with a lot of different personalities, expectations, and communication styles. When issues come up, try to approach them calmly and professionally. Start with your mentor, then the director, if needed, and only reach out to the Conselleria if the issue truly cannot be resolved internally. Most of the time, a simple conversation is all it takes to get everyone back on the same page.
And at the end of the day, remember that everyone is usually working toward the same goal: making the experience positive for both the students and the auxiliares.
Love always,
American Girl Meets World
