Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education

Career Overview

Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher with instructional duties. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.

Also Known As

Instructional Assistant
Paraeducator
Paraprofessional
TA (Teacher Assistant)

Alternate Job Titles

Bilingual Teacher Aide
BSIP Instructional Aide (Basic Skills Improvement Program Instructional Aide)
Classroom Aide
Classroom Assistant
Early Childhood Teacher Assistant (EC Teacher Assistant)
Education Paraprofessional
Educational Assistant
Educational Assistant Teacher
Educational Technician (Educational Tech)
Elementary Instructor
Elementary Paraprofessional
Elementary Teacher Assistant
Exam Grader (Examination Grader)
Exam Proctor (Examination Proctor)
Exam Scorer (Examination Scorer)

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

Supervise students in classrooms, halls, cafeterias, school yards, and gymnasiums, or on field trips.
Tutor and assist children individually or in small groups to help them master assignments and to reinforce learning concepts presented by teachers.
Enforce administration policies and rules governing students.
Teach social skills to students.
Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.
Discuss assigned duties with classroom teachers to coordinate instructional efforts.
Present subject matter to students under the direction and guidance of teachers, using lectures, discussions, supervised role-playing methods, or by reading aloud.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

Customer and Personal Service
English Language
Psychology
Mathematics

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

Active Listening
Social Perceptiveness
Reading Comprehension
Speaking

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

Oral Comprehension
Oral Expression
Written Comprehension
Information Ordering
Problem Sensitivity
Speech Recognition
Speech Clarity
Written Expression
Deductive Reasoning
Far Vision

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

Dependability
Optimism
Cooperation
Social Orientation
Empathy

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month

Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Word

Tools & Equipment

Alternative computer keyboards
Audio tape recorders or players
Compact disk CD players
Computer laser printers
Data input scanners
Desktop computers
Digital video cameras
Digital video disk DVD players
Educational board games
Emergency first aid kits
Intercom systems
Laminating equipment
Laptop computers
Liquid crystal display LCD projectors
Microphones

Work Environment

Contact With Others
Physical Proximity
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results