What does a teacher assistant do?

When you're a teacher assistant, you assist the teacher in providing students with attention to ensure they understand the lessons that you teach in the classroom. You teach students in small groups or one-on-one and supervise children both inside and outside of the classroom. Your duties include helping teachers with record-keeping and grading assignments and exams to track the progress of the students. You also enforce the school and classroom rules while taking disciplinary action when it's needed to maintain order.

How you spend your time as a teacher assistant

You replace the teacher if they're absent and take on the role of the main instructor when it's needed. This role also involves assisting the teacher in creating lesson plans to break down complex topics and subjects for the students. You work closely with students to enhance the learning process while maintaining the classroom to keep it clean and tidy. You spend time tracking students' attendance and escorting students on field trips and outings. You assist with different types of tasks, including communicating with parents about each student's progress and reporting behavioral issues to the teacher.

 

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What is the average salary of a teacher assistant?

The average annual salary of a teaching assistant is $41,170. The lowest salary is $22,730, and the highest annual salary is $62,260. Entry-level teacher assistants earn an average of $24,073 each year, whereas teacher assistants with at least 20 years of experience earn an average of $49,012 annually. The states with the highest employment level of teacher assistants include California, New York, and Texas. The location of where you work is one of the main factors that determine how much you can expect to earn. Some of the highest salaries are available in cities such as Seattle, Baltimore, and San Francisco. Teacher assistant positions are primarily at public K-12 schools, colleges, and universities. Technical and trade schools also hire teacher assistants. 

How to earn a higher salary as a teacher assistant

If you want to increase your salary as a teacher assistant, it's important to develop more in-demand skills, including classroom management, behavioral management, and instructional design. Understanding how to perform assessments of students and implement instructions will also enhance your qualifications as an educator. Maintaining consistent performance will allow you to earn a higher salary as you spend more time in the profession and increase your level of experience.

Teacher Assistant Jobs
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Teacher assistant job description

Do you enjoy working alongside a teacher and helping students learn? Do you enjoy spending time around other people during the day? If so, a teacher assistant job will be rewarding. The position makes it possible to spend time with students and contribute to their ability to learn, grow, and develop. A teacher assistant is an integral role in the classroom setting and will allow you to help everything run more smoothly. The teacher is more focused and organized with the help of a teacher assistant completing different tasks.

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What is the career outlook of a teacher assistant?

The availability of teacher assistant positions will increase by 9% from 2020 to 2030. There will be an average of 136,400 openings available each year in the next decade. This is the same rate of growth for other types of positions in different industries. If you want to stand out among other applicants, it's important to complete an internship. You also have the option of pursing a bachelor's degree in education and transfer the credits you acquired when you earned your associate degree. 

What are the advantages of working with Spherion as a teacher assistant?

If you're looking for employment, Spherion is a great resource. Spherion assists you with your job search and will pair you with the right employer based on your set of skills. As a leading staffing company, Spherion has a long list of connections and will provide you with different networking opportunities. Whether you prefer to work with young students or at a university, Spherion has the right connections. Working with Spherion offers many benefits, including: 

  • Receiving weekly pay
  • A quick and easy interview process
  • Flexibility 
  • Different training opportunities
  • Working with a personal contact to assist you in your search for employment
  • A variety of jobs in the local area
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What education do you need as a teacher assistant?

A high school diploma or GED is a requirement to find employment as a teacher assistant. Working as a teacher assistant in some positions also requires earning an associate degree or completing two years of coursework. Some schools or universities only require certification.

Skills & competencies

You must have the ability to teach and have the patience to work as a teacher assistant. This role also requires organizational skills and strong communication skills. Instructional skills and the ability to work as part of a team area also essential.

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FAQs

Many people have questions about teacher assistant positions and what they require. Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions that offer insight into this in-demand role.

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