A teaching assistant is responsible for helping a certified teacher or professor with instructional tasks. They may help to prepare materials for lessons, assist the teacher with projects and lesson plans or be assigned to provide one-on-one support to students on an as-needed basis.
Skill set: Teaching assistants will find patience to be an incredibly important part of the job. They will need to have a rudimentary knowledge of the subject with which they are assisting. Organizational and interpersonal skills are also necessary. They must be comfortable working independently and still able to accept direction from a superior.
Education: The necessary education for a teaching assistant will vary based on the grade level at which they are employed. While elementary and high school teaching assistants may require nothing more than a high school diploma, teaching assistants at the community college and university level are generally required to be an undergraduate or graduate student in a professional field.
Career Path: Hopeful candidates for a teaching assistant position will do well to volunteer in a local elementary school for a few hours a week. Entry level teaching assistant jobs are plentiful. Coursework in early child education and child development will be helpful.
Update your browser to have a more positive job search experience.
Upgrade My Browser