Teacher Assistant Job Description
The job of a Teacher Assistant involves providing support to teachers in the classroom, allowing full-time certified teachers to focus their time teaching and planning lessons or activities. Some teacher assistants may provide non-instructional support, but perform various tasks such as putting classroom in order, preparing bulletin boards, taking attendance, updating student records, supervising children and monitoring halls or playgrounds. Others are given instructional tasks, such as helping teachers in art classes, correcting tests, and helping teach specific subjects.
Education/Experience Requirements for the job of a Teacher Assistant: A successful candidate must possess a high school diploma with some college background. Most employers prefer those with a two-year associate’s degree with courses in teaching methods, education and educational psychology. Some states would require teacher assistants to obtain certification.
Skills of a Teacher Assistant include but are not limited to: Interpersonal skills, effective written and verbal communication skills, organizational skills, leadership skills, teaching skills and basic computer skills. He/she must also be patient, creative, passionate and love working with children.
Specific work elements of the job as a Teacher Assistant include but are not limited to: Assisting lead teachers in planning and implementing daily class activities; supervising class in the absence of a lead teacher; preparing materials for children; attending staff meetings and conferences; carrying out activities that could help social, emotional and intellectual development of children; participating in programs of professional teaching organizations; helping children develop good habits such as personal hygiene; reporting to the lead teacher about a child’s progress or problems; and maintaining classroom cleanliness, among others.
