Career Guide: Teacher Assistant
Here’s what you need to know.
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What is a Teacher Assistant?
Managing a classroom full of young students鈥� excitement and energy is no easy task. Teacher assistants offer an extra pair of hands to support both teachers and students while ensuring a positive learning environment. They work in various classrooms and settings, including public or private schools, childcare centers, religious organizations, special education programs, and more.
It鈥檚 important to note that teacher assistants and teaching assistants are not one and the same. However, there is considerable overlap, so they鈥檙e often mentioned interchangeably.
Because their titles are very similar, you might ask, 鈥淲hat is a teaching assistant, or what does a teaching assistant do?鈥� A teaching assistant is an instructional aide who helps teachers with tasks related to instruction, like preparing presentation materials, supporting lesson delivery and grading. Teacher assistants are teacher aides who work directly with students by managing the classroom, helping with assignments, tutoring, monitoring progress and more.
Teacher鈥檚 aides, also known as assistant teachers, play integral roles in the education system. This teacher assistant career guide is your one-stop shop to all you need to know, from required skills and education to a step-by-step plan of how to become a teacher assistant.
What Does a Teacher Assistant Do?
In some settings, a teacher鈥檚 assistant is referred to as a TA. TA job responsibilities vary based on school district and individual school expectations, but there are general duties you can expect wherever you work.
- Prepare the classroom with materials, equipment and resources
- Support students who need additional help
- Supervise students throughout the day鈥檚 activities
- Maintain student records like attendance and performance
- Enforce rules and manage discipline
- Communicate with teachers on students鈥� behalf
- Conduct administrative tasks
- Serve as a role model for engagement and participation
Skills and Qualities of a Successful Teacher Assistant
As someone who wears many hats, specific teacher assistant skills help set you and the teachers and students you serve up for success. When you鈥檙e searching for a role, you may notice slight differences in teacher assistant job descriptions based on the district or school鈥檚 needs. However, a successful teacher aide should possess:
- Strong communication and active listening
- Patience and empathy
- Ability to manage time and multitask
- Flexibility in a fast-changing classroom environment
- Collaborative mindset
How to Become a Teacher Assistant
Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Teacher Assistant
How to become a classroom assistant may vary, as requirements for states and districts are not the same across the board. However, you can follow these general steps:
- Earn an associate degree in education or a related field
Consider a degree in early childhood education or special education.
- Optional: Earn an Education Specific Degree
Earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree in education for future career advancement like becoming a licensed teacher.聽
- Gain experience working with children
This can be an internship, volunteer work or assisting in daycare centers.
- Meet state-specific requirements
Research the educational assistant requirements in your state. Sometimes they require specific teacher assistant training.
- Obtain state-specific certifications
Some states require teacher assistant certifications, like the Level II Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools or the ParaPro Assessment.
- Optional: Build a teaching portfolio
If you aspire to become a teacher, compile the work you鈥檙e doing while you鈥檙e an assistant to support your job search down the road.
Alternative Paths to the Classroom
Many classroom aides aspire to be licensed teachers. To do so, you鈥檒l need to first earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree. Then you鈥檒l qualify for a Transition to Teaching Certificate, where you鈥檒l get equipped to lead a classroom. 番茄视频 (ACE) offers three options:
- Certificate in Transition to Teaching in Elementary Education
- Certificate in Transition to Teaching in Secondary Education
- Certificate in Transition to Teaching in Special Education
Teacher Assistant Salary and Job Outlook
A teacher assistant’s salary often varies based on location, experience and level of education.
Teacher assistants earn an average annual salary of $35,240.*
About 170,400 teacher assistant openings are anticipated between 2024 and 2034.*
Career Advancement Opportunities
As an education assistant and classroom aide, you can specialize and work with focused audiences. For example, you can work in special education classrooms as a paraprofessional or special education teacher assistant. You can also work with English language learners. Both specializations are considered within the realm of paraprofessional education.
You can also become a teacher, gain classroom experience and move into administrative or training positions within education. ACE offers master鈥檚-level options to help get you there:
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