How To Become a Teaching Assistant? A Complete Career Guide

“Behind every great teacher is an awesome teaching assistant.” – This famous saying reflects the practicality!

A teacher deserves a superhero too, that’s where teaching assistants come in! 

Teaching assistants’ responsibilities in the classroom go far beyond wiping noses and looking for misplaced sweaters.

Relying on the region and the school system where you’d like to work, people refer teaching assistants to many professions. For instance, the naming ranges from teacher aides, instructional aides to paraprofessionals. 

You can go through the  Level 4 Certificate for Higher Level Teaching Assistants (RQF) course for a brief understanding.

Who is a Teaching Assistant? 

TA is a short form for teaching assistants. Teaching assistants are also known as classroom assistants or learning support assistants. They generally assist the classroom instructor with day-to-day classroom activities. 

As a teaching assistant, you will spend the majority of your time with the youngsters. In particular, those who have special educational needs and disabilities. By all means, you’ll need a little patience and a positive attitude to assist in students’ learning and advancement. 

Teaching Assistant Characteristics 

Teaching assistants are heartfelt heroes. It’s pretty tricky to come by a genuinely exceptional TA. So a great TA will always leave a trace behind them. Successful and effective teaching assistants surprisingly share many of the same qualities. These include flexibility, dependability, excellent communication and love towards children.

The first thing to remember, teaching assistants must be open-minded to collaborate with their assigned teacher. Teachers tend to foster dependence on their TAs to assist them in the classroom.

Teaching is indeed all about interactions and communication. For this reason, the teaching assistant needs to interact with the teacher and students on a daily basis. They also need to display that they find the teachings valuable through their words and actions. 

Teaching Assistant Requirement

To emphasise, teaching assistants are usually not required to be certified teachers. However, teacher aides must achieve some standard academic knowledge. Here are the requirements that should be a part of your CV:

• Literacy and Numeracy – There has been a growing emphasis on numeracy and literacy for students and teachers in recent years. Teaching assistants must be efficient in working with numbers and overall English. You may have to take a test to verify it. Some schools, such as those in Wales, will also accept proficiency in additional languages.

• A good educational foundation — You must have a good educational foundation. Most schools require GCSE level schooling with grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and Maths. Some Teaching Assistant positions will additionally require GCSE-level science education.
• TA qualifications – There are a variety of teaching assistant qualifications and courses you can take to demonstrate your experience. Completing TA certifications might also prove that you can maintain a high level of professionalism.

Teaching Assistant Responsibilities & Duties 

By all means, working as a teacher assistant requires you to be able to perform a few duties and responsibilities. Usually, you’ll need to keep an eye on:

• Review Academic Lessons 

As a teaching assistant, you should go through the teacher’s lectures. Have a one-to-one session or sit with the students in small groups. It’s a big deal to ensure that the students are properly understanding the classes.

• Follow the Rules and Regulations 

Specific rules are created to maintain a healthy and friendly teaching environment. You need to make sure everyone is following them. Especially pay extra attention to the rules if you are working with an SEN or SEND school.

• Ensure a Secured Setting 

The most important aspect of a Teaching Assistant’s job is to keep the classroom safe and comfortable. You must be familiar with the safeguarding protocols. Last but not least, have a basic understanding of first aid. 

• Keep Track of Records

You’ll have to help the teacher keep track of the students as part of your profession. Attendance, grades, homework, late passes, stars, and so on are only a few examples. 

• Prepare Lesson Plans 

You will need to support the instructor in the preparation of lessons for the students. You should be able to design, prepare, and execute a lesson plan to improve a child’s subject knowledge. Outside of your regular lessons, you’ll have to help out the students whenever they need. 

• Monitor Students 

In the absence of the instructor, you must be competent to supervise the pupils. For example, during class breaks, field outings, lunchtime, or recess. 

• Sanitary Education 

Children are constantly ready to swallow anything they can get their hands on. As a teacher assistant, you will support students with basic requirements, including eating, sharing, and hygiene practices. 

• Educational Approaches 

Occasionally you will need to deal with slow learners who can’t understand academic knowledge effortlessly. You might also come across students that have learning impairments. You must have the ability to teach them the strengths they’ll need to achieve employment after graduating. 

Teaching Assistant Skills 

In addition to the technical abilities you’ll gain in the classroom, you’ll need a few personality traits to succeed in this field. Sometimes some soft skills can be some non-technical abilities, for example:

Interpersonal skills 

In the first place, you should build and maintain healthy connections with your coworkers, students, and their parents as a teaching assistant. Having solid interpersonal skills might help you promote favourable interactions among your coworkers.

Sensitivity 

Markedly, this is a beneficial skill in the teaching profession. You need to be able to empathise with your students. Become a friend to your students. Therefore, they can be comfortable enough to share their problems with you.

Communication skills 

A teaching assistant’s job demands them to communicate with students of various ages. You should be able to interact with everyone according to their understanding. For instance, you would talk with a student or write an assignment description differently from a coworker. You may need to collaborate with students’ parents too.

Multitasking 

Probably one of your most appreciable talents as a teaching assistant. Through this skill, you can keep an eye on students while moving from one task to another. It also shows that you can handle students while drafting a lesson plan.

Leadership 

You need to be confident enough to lead and instruct your students. As a teaching assistant, you may be in charge of a specific daily lesson, a small group project, or strengthening your coworker’s authority in the classroom.

Patience 

This is an important skill for everyone working in the childcare industry. When a child acts out or the classroom continues to disobey rules, you should be able to maintain a relaxed and composed approach. 

Especially when working with children who have special needs, you may require patience as well. You can prove to an employer that you can respond calmly under pressure and retain a positive attitude in challenging situations.

Teaching Assistant Courses 

There are several courses on teaching assistants in the UK. Some accredited courses can make a significant impact on your professional career. You can access these courses worldwide and get unlimited tutor support. Some of the sought-after courses are:

1. Focus Awards Level 4 Certificate for Higher Level Teaching Assistants (RQF)
2. NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching and Learning

Teaching assistants make up 25% of the workforce in traditional elementary and secondary schools. If you become a teaching assistant, huge opportunities are open for you. They are:

• Teaching assistant
• Classroom assistant
• Learning support assistant
• Teaching/classroom/learning support assistant
• Behaviour support assistant or co-ordinator
• Pastoral/welfare support assistant
• Bilingual support assistant
• Team leader

Teaching Assistant Salary 

Teaching assistant salaries vary based on the area of expertise, level of experience, education, certifications, and other factors. A teaching assistant can expect an average starting salary of £15,000. If you are going to work on part-time contracts, there’s a possibility to earn a lower compensation.

As a level 1 TA, you might get a basic salary of roughly £15,000. As a level 2 or 3 TA, you may probably earn somewhere around £15,000 to £21,000 depending on your sort of responsibility. Finally, you may make between £21,000 and £25,000 as a higher-level TA. However, additional specialisations or SEND duties can net you further income. 

Final Thoughts 

As a teaching assistant, you will work with students from various backgrounds with various learning or behavioural disorders. Although the job might seem difficult, seeing the success of the students can be immensely satisfying!

So don’t wait for opportunities to knock on your door. Instead, start following your passion. 

GOOD LUCK for your upcoming Teaching career!!!!