Example Career: Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School

Career Description

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.

What Job Titles Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School Might Have

• Instructional Assistant
• Paraeducator
• Paraprofessional
• TA (Teacher Assistant)

What Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School Do

• 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.
• Clean classrooms.
• Observe students' performance, and record relevant data to assess progress.
• Organize and label materials and display students' work in a manner appropriate for their eye levels and perceptual skills.
• Organize and supervise games and other recreational activities to promote physical, mental, and social development.
• Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.
• Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.
• Prepare lesson materials, bulletin board displays, exhibits, equipment, and demonstrations.
• Conduct demonstrations to teach skills, such as sports, dancing, and handicrafts.
• Distribute teaching materials, such as textbooks, workbooks, papers, and pencils, to students.
• Type, file, and duplicate materials.
• Laminate teaching materials to increase their durability under repeated use.
• Requisition and stock teaching materials and supplies.
• Take class attendance and maintain attendance records.
• Participate in teacher-parent conferences regarding students' progress or problems.
• Assist in bus loading and unloading.
• Maintain computers in classrooms and laboratories, and assist students with hardware and software use.
• Grade homework and tests, and compute and record results, using answer sheets or electronic marking devices.
• Plan, prepare, and develop various teaching aids, such as bibliographies, charts, and graphs.
• Operate and maintain audio-visual equipment.
• Distribute tests and homework assignments and collect them when they are completed.
• Collect money from students for school-related projects.

What Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School Should Be Good At

• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
• Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

What Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School Need to Learn

• Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
• Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.