Teacher assistants provide instructional and clerical support for classroom teachers, allowing teachers more time for lesson planning and teaching. They support and assist children in learning class material using the teacher's lesson plans, providing students with individualized attention. Teacher assistants also supervise students in the cafeteria, schoolyard, and hallways, or on field trips; they record grades, set up equipment, and help prepare materials for instruction. Teacher assistants also are called teacher aides or instructional aides. Some assistants refer to themselves as paraeducators or paraprofessionals.
Some teacher assistants perform exclusively noninstructional or clerical tasks, such as monitoring nonacademic settings. Playground and lunchroom attendants are examples of such assistants. Most teacher assistants, however, perform a combination of instructional and clerical duties. They generally provide instructional reinforcement to children, under the direction and guidance of teachers. They work with students individually or in small groups—listening while students read, reviewing or reinforcing class lessons, or helping them find information for reports. At the secondary school level, teacher assistants often specialize in a certain subject, such as math or science. Teacher assistants often take charge of special projects and prepare equipment or exhibits, such as for a science demonstration. Some assistants work in computer laboratories, helping students to use computers and educational software programs.
In addition to instructing, assisting, and supervising students, teacher assistants may grade tests and papers, check homework, keep health and attendance records, do typing and filing, and duplicate materials. They also stock supplies, operate audiovisual equipment, and keep classroom equipment in order.
Many teacher assistants work extensively with special education students. As schools become more inclusive and integrate special education students into general education classrooms, teacher assistants in both general education and special education classrooms increasingly assist students with disabilities. They attend to the physical needs of students with disabilities, including feeding, teaching good grooming habits, or assisting students riding the schoolbus. They also provide personal attention to students with other special needs, such as those who speak English as a second language or those who need remedial education. Some work with young adults to help them obtain a job or to apply for community services to support them after schooling. Teacher assistants help assess a student's progress by observing performance and recording relevant data.
While the majority of teacher assistants work in primary and secondary educational settings, others work in preschools and other child care centers. Often one or two assistants will work with a lead teacher in order to better provide the individual attention that young children require. In addition to assisting in educational instruction, they also supervise the children at play and assist in feeding and other basic care activities.
Teacher assistants also work with infants and toddlers who have developmental delays or other disabilities. Under the guidance of a teacher or therapist, teacher assistants perform exercises or play games to help the child develop physically and behaviorally.
Work environment. Teacher assistants work in a variety of settings—including preschools, child care centers, and religious and community centers, where they work with young adults—but most work in classrooms in elementary, middle, and secondary schools. They also work outdoors supervising recess when weather allows, and they spend much of their time standing, walking, or kneeling.
Approximately 4 in 10 teacher assistants work part time. However, even among full-time workers, about 17 percent work less than 40 hours per week. Most assistants who provide educational instruction work the traditional 9-month to 10-month school year.
Seeing students develop and gain appreciation of the joy of learning can be very rewarding. However, working closely with students can be both physically and emotionally tiring. Teacher assistants who work with special education students often perform more strenuous tasks, including lifting, as they help students with their daily routine. Those who perform clerical work may tire of administrative duties, such as copying materials or entering data.
| 1. | Provide extra assistance to students with special needs, such as non-English-speaking students or those with physical and mental disabilities. |
| 2. | Tutor and assist children individually or in small groups in order to help them master assignments and to reinforce learning concepts presented by teachers. |
| 3. | Supervise students in classrooms, halls, cafeterias, school yards, and gymnasiums, or on field trips. |
| 4. | Enforce administration policies and rules governing students. |
| 5. | Observe students' performance, and record relevant data to assess progress. |
| 6. | Discuss assigned duties with classroom teachers in order to coordinate instructional efforts. |
| 7. | Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials, in order to prevent injuries and damage. |
| 8. | Present subject matter to students under the direction and guidance of teachers, using lectures, discussions, or supervised role-playing methods. |
| 9. | Organize and label materials, and display students' work in a manner appropriate for their eye levels and perceptual skills. |
| 10. | Distribute tests and homework assignments, and collect them when they are completed. |
| 11. | Type, file, and duplicate materials. |
| 12. | Distribute teaching materials such as textbooks, workbooks, papers, and pencils to students. |
| 13. | Use computers, audiovisual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations. |
| 14. | Attend staff meetings, and serve on committees as required. |
| 15. | Prepare lesson materials, bulletin board displays, exhibits, equipment, and demonstrations. |
| 16. | Carry out therapeutic regimens such as behavior modification and personal development programs, under the supervision of special education instructors, psychologists, or speech-language pathologists. |
| 17. | Provide disabled students with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities such as restrooms. |
| 18. | Assist in bus loading and unloading. |
| 19. | Take class attendance, and maintain attendance records. |
| 20. | Grade homework and tests, and compute and record results, using answer sheets or electronic marking devices. |
| 21. | Organize and supervise games and other recreational activities to promote physical, mental, and social development. |
| 22. | Prepare lesson outlines and plans in assigned subject areas, and submit outlines to teachers for review. |
| 23. | Maintain computers in classrooms and laboratories, and assist students with hardware and software use. |
| 24. | Participate in teacher-parent conferences regarding students' progress or problems. |
| 25. | Plan, prepare, and develop various teaching aids such as bibliographies, charts, and graphs. |
| 26. | Conduct demonstrations to teach such skills as sports, dancing, and handicrafts. |
| 27. | Requisition and stock teaching materials and supplies. |
| 28. | Collect money from students for school-related projects. |
| 29. | Monitor classroom viewing of live or recorded courses transmitted by communication satellites. |
| 30. | Operate and maintain audiovisual equipment. |
| 31. | Laminate teaching materials to increase their durability under repeated use. |
| 32. | Assist librarians in school libraries. |
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