Everything You Need to Know to Become a Teaching Assistant

Written by Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur

What is a Teaching Assistant?

A teaching assistant—sometimes referred to as a teacher's aide—supports the lead teacher in an educational setting. They may assist in tutoring individual students who need extra help, facilitate small group activities, or involve themselves with lesson planning and implementation.

Teaching assistants can also contribute to classroom management, ensuring students are on-task and equipped with all the materials they need for a given lesson or activity. Aside from classroom projects, teacher's aides might direct clean-up activities or help with transitions in the school day, such as getting ready for recess or preparing the class for lunch.

They are expected to attend any relevant training opportunities and strive to improve their skills with students. They are an extra pair of eyes, ears, and hands in the classroom and should be willing and able to assist in whatever task the teacher gives them.

What does a Teaching Assistant do?

As an assistant to the lead teacher, these critical members of the classroom can take on various tasks assigned to them. They cooperate with teachers in many ways and help make the educational environment a more positive experience for children, inspiring and supporting their academic journey.

Classroom Management

Teacher's aides can play a massive part in helping a classroom run smoothly. Some of their classroom management tasks might include taking attendance, handing out materials, ensuring students have the necessary tools to complete lessons, making photocopies and acquiring supplies, supervising students at learning centers, and helping with transitions between classes or activities. They may also take care of grading or recording homework and test scores.

Tutoring

Instructional assistants are an excellent resource for students who need extra help in the classroom. They can provide one-on-one tutoring or conduct small group learning sessions to walk students through the material. For advanced students, they can assign and participate in more challenging work to help those students engage in classroom activities.

Lesson Planning

The lead teacher may assign some lesson planning tasks to the teacher's aides, giving them opportunities to research appropriate educational tasks and activities to support classroom learning goals. This may include finding additional reading material or audio-visual supplements and preparing educational materials.

Help with Students with Disabilities

Teaching assistants with the appropriate training may provide one-on-one or group support for students with disabilities within a mainstream classroom. Some duties might include making sure physical and educational accommodations are being met, providing additional academic support such as reading material to the student, assisting with daily tasks, and addressing any behavioral challenges to avoid classroom disruptions.

Teaching Assistant Qualifications

Teaching assistant qualifications may vary in different school district. It is advisable to check with the school district or the private school hiring teacher's aides to verify their assistant teacher requirements. The process is somewhat similar to becoming a certified teacher, including earning the right degree and passing an exam (to become a classroom teacher usually entails taking the Praxis exam or a state-specific exam like the TExES test).

The time it takes to become a teaching assistant will depend on state and school requirements. In some cases, one might be able to enter this field right out of high school, especially if one has had the opportunity to gain some educational experience through volunteer or paid work. In other cases, a bachelor's degree is required, which usually takes four years of full-time study to obtain.

While hiring policies are highly dependent on the location and organization, some teaching assistant requirements may include:

• High school diploma or GED if applying to private or charter schools
• Associate degree and certification as a teaching assistant if applying to Title I schools
• Teaching assistant license
• Bachelor's degree, in some cases
• First Aid certification
• Internship in an educational setting
• Training in classroom management and educational best practices
• Special-needs education if one plans to work as a special-needs teaching assistant

Teacher Assistant Education

A teaching assistant may take on many important roles in a classroom or educational setting. As such, extensive academic knowledge and experience working with children in an educational environment are essential.

Different states, school districts, and private schools have unique requirements for teaching assistants and teacher's aides. Some facilities allow teaching assistants to be employed with only a high school diploma or equivalent, while others require a bachelor's degree. The majority require some college education, either an associate degree or two years of college-level work, often including education-based coursework. Teaching assistants must have some knowledge of classroom management and the educational tools needed to help support students in their academic needs. They need to promote a positive educational experience and support lead teachers in various ways.

Some associate degree programs, including ones offered online, are specifically geared toward becoming a teaching assistant. Prospective teaching assistants can pass an exam and prove they have the required knowledge even if they do not have the required coursework.

Teaching assistants who work with students with disabilities may be required to take additional classes or work directly with special needs populations. This will make instructional assistants more skilled in providing appropriate educational support and managing physical accommodations or behavioral challenges that may arise.

Teacher Assistant Work Experience

Most school districts also want teaching assistants to have previous experience working with children in an educational setting, including participation in volunteer activities, experience as a student teacher, or paid employment. Teaching assistants often gain the most through these on-the-job learning opportunities.

Some people's career goal is to be a teaching assistant. Others see it as a stepping stone to obtaining additional education and experience to become a lead teacher. It can be a good way for prospective lead teachers to gain valuable work experience within a classroom, learn the ins and outs of classroom management and lesson planning, and observe lead educators to gain hands-on knowledge of educational best practices.

Working as a teaching assistant can help a student teacher discover what grade level or area of education they are best suited for. It can also provide a way to earn a steady income while pursuing the bachelor's or master's degree needed for full teaching certification. Working as a teaching assistant may also lead to networking contacts, valuable teaching mentorships, and additional job opportunities within a given school system.

Experience and Qualities for a Teaching Assistant

Teaching assistants must have a diverse skill set and the flexibility to work with students, teachers, school administrators, staff, parents, and caregivers every day. Here are some valuable qualities for instructional assistants to reach their academic and interpersonal goals.

Enjoy Working with Children

A warm, supportive disposition toward children is a fundamental requirement for being a teaching assistant. Their job is to help provide a positive learning experience for the students entrusted to their care, which means dedicating themselves to maintaining a positive, welcoming attitude for all students and having the flexibility to respond to whatever challenges may arise in the classroom. Teaching assistants should also have the physical energy to work and remain engaged with the students throughout the school day.

Experience Working with Children

Future employers will want to see evidence of having worked previously with children, preferably in an educational setting. Understanding how to foster learning is a significant advantage to job seekers—schools might also look for evidence that an instructor is confidential when dealing with student records, able to grade student work and assist teachers with grade books, and up-to-date on relevant rules and school procedures. Teaching assistants can obtain this experience through volunteer roles, paid work, or internships such as being a student teacher as part of a teacher preparation college program.

Ability to Communicate Well

Throughout the entire day, teaching assistants need to communicate with many different groups of people. They must understand the lead teacher's requests and ask appropriate questions when clarification is needed. Instructors might expect their assistants to communicate in person or in writing with parents, caregivers, other educators, administrators, staff, and other individuals in the educational setting. Perhaps most importantly, they need to communicate clearly on an age-appropriate level with their students to explain academic concepts and coursework instructions. In some school systems, being bilingual is also a great asset.

Willingness to Learn

Teaching assistants cannot assist with lessons that they do not understand. They must be willing to learn the lesson material if they are not already familiar with it before they can assist with explaining it to others. Teaching assistants must be devoted to continuous learning, with classroom material as well as professional development, to improve their own work. There are often new developments in the field of education, including advanced technology and groundbreaking research into how students learn best. It is essential to be aware of these changes and take the time to attend all required meetings and conferences.

Ability to Take Direction Well

A lead teacher will give a teaching assistant many tasks. A teaching assistant or teacher's aide must be willing and able to follow directions, carry out assigned tasks promptly, and meet all school expectations.

A Team Mindset

Many individuals work together within the school system to create positive outcomes for students. It is crucial for teaching assistants to work with other members of the school community, including the lead teachers they work directly for and other teachers who may instruct the same students, staff, and administrators. They must be willing to work collaboratively to benefit all of their students.

Technological Skills

Students today benefit from cutting-edge technology, including educational programs and abundant internet resources. Teachers need to continuously broaden their understanding of new tools that could help their students achieve their academic goals.

Assistant Teacher Certification and Continuing Education

Some school systems require certification for instructional assistants to verify their education and qualifications to help in a classroom. The amount of time to achieve this certification can vary depending on the state's procedures and the previous education and experience of the candidate.

Certification

To achieve certification, aspiring teaching assistants must provide evidence of their high school diploma and any college work completed. If they earned a college degree, they would submit the transcript alongside their diploma. Some districts may allow prospective instructional assistants to take tests to demonstrate their competency if they have not completed the required coursework.

For those who attend higher education to be certified as a teaching assistant, some mandatory courses will include basic college-level math and writing, history, science, and other general classes required by the institution where they are enrolled. Specific education-based courses will have more focused topics, such as educational psychology, classroom management, special education, child development, and children's literature. Additional subjects may include supporting diverse students and promoting the health and safety of students.

Continuing Education

Teaching assistants are expected to continue to learn how to support the students in their care. Schools might invite their staff to professional development days, where everyone can participate in conferences, discussions, and continuing education. Teaching assistants may attend programs with other school community members to learn about new technology or curricular offerings.

Additionally, teacher's aides may pursue independent study to improve their teaching skills and work on any weaknesses they struggle with. For instance, this could mean concentrating on their communication skills, especially when meeting with students and families from cultures different from their own. They could also take time to cultivate a better understanding of managing disruptive behaviors in the classroom, including gaining knowledge of the root causes of inappropriate behavior.

Teacher assistants benefit from developing their time management skills in a classroom setting, where they may need to juggle several tasks at once. It is vital to be able to prioritize and get everything accomplished. Special-education teaching students will also learn more about various accommodations and tools to help support their students.

On a personal level, they might take a class on reducing stress since working in a classroom may be a demanding experience. Additionally, numerous academic avenues can increase an instructional assistant's skill set, including taking classes at a local college or pursuing online study.

Teaching Assistant Salary and Career Outlook

The current demand for teaching assistants is moderate, with a growth of about four percent per year. Teaching assistants are not highly paid, with those working in preschools earning the lowest average salary. A preschool teaching aide's income also varies based on the location; Mississippi offers the lowest wages ($9.26 per hour), and Hawaii offers the highest ($13.40 per hour), per ZipRecruiter. In elementary schools, the median pay is $29,360 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Most teaching assistants work full-time, although part-time work is sometimes available. Some teaching assistants may also be bus monitors before and after school or work in after-school programs. There are also opportunities to assist with summer school and enrichment programs or to work for themselves as private tutors if they are highly knowledgeable about a particular academic area.

In contrast, as reported by the BLS, the median pay for certified elementary and secondary school teachers is roughly $61,400.

Teaching assistants who enjoy working with students and are seeking career advancement may wish to pursue further studies to become fully certified teachers. As with teaching assistant requirements, the procedures for obtaining teacher licenses vary from state to state.

Prospective teachers who already have a bachelor's degree may be able to fast-track this process by taking any mandatory courses in education that they have not already completed and passing all the required teaching exams. These exams test aspiring teachers on pedagogical and subject knowledge, and they are designed to ensure that teachers have all the knowledge needed to be quality classroom educators. There are sometimes alternative licensing programs for those who already have a bachelor's degree in an area other than education.

Those with a high school or associate degree must obtain their bachelor's degree, pass the state's licensure exams, and complete any additional requirements, like background checks. Some specializations, such as being a reading specialist or special education teacher, may require a master's degree. The experience that teaching assistants have acquired will help them in their coursework as they will already know the practical implications of the theoretical information they are learning in their education classes.

Instructional assistants who become teachers will also have the advantage of gaining considerable experience inside a classroom. They will know which school level and subjects they most enjoy teaching, and the skills they have acquired will transfer readily to their new roles as lead teachers. Working as a teaching assistant also builds confidence in communicating with students, teachers, administrative staff, parents, and caregivers. They will understand the various challenges that teachers face, how to create lesson plans, and how to present material in a way that will help students learn most effectively.

This wealth of experience will pay off immensely when they have a classroom of their own. They will also appreciate their teaching assistants and be able to work more effectively with them because they will remember the challenges of that position.