How to Become a Teaching Assistant

Are you one of those people who love playing with children? Do you enjoy teaching children? But you think that with nil experience, it is not possible to become a teaching assistant. For instance, we are here to change your perception. In Addition, a good human being with great habits does not need additional skills to know, how to become a teaching assistant.

He inherently has some qualities that a TA should possess. Therefore, all you need some educational requirements and a good grasp on responsibilities. You are going to know all of these after reading this blog.

Who is a Teaching Assistant?

A teaching assistant works under a teacher in the same classroom to provide students with additional attention and instruction. It is always not necessary to present in the classroom, though many Class Assistants do.

Similarly, you can be called as a teacher’s aide, paraprofessional, a paraeducator who assists or indirectly participates in teaching. Do not mix this teaching assistant term with a graduate TA. That is to say, TA work in schools but Graduate TA work under a professor to earn a degree.

Prime Responsibilities to become a Teaching Assistant

Knowing the roles and responsibilities of a job are always important. Therefore, if you want to become a TA, consider doing the following tasks-

1. Reviewing Lessons

A Lecture assistant reviews lessons provided by the teacher. You will review it by going to students in a single group or one-to-one session.

2. Maintain Rules and Regulations

In special education needs (SEN) schools, an SEN teaching assistant does maintain rules and regulations. SEN teaching assistant is one of the highest-paid teaching assistant jobs in the The UK. Because they deal with children having autism, dyslexia or any other learning problem.

3. Maintain Safe Environment

Most importantly, the work of a TA is to maintain a safe and healthy environment in the classroom. You also have to follow safeguarding procedures.

4. Record Keeping

As a part of your teaching job, you have to assist the teacher in keeping student records, e.g. attendances, grades, homework, late pass, stars, etc.

5. Preparing Lessons

During your TA job, you have to assist the teacher in keeping student records, e.g. attendances, grades, homework, late pass, stars, etc.

6. Supervising Students

You must be able to supervise students in the absence of the teacher, for example in between classes, during field trips or lunch or recess, etc.

7. Special Education Needs Students

There may be some special education needs (SEN) students. They attend the regular classes but are unable to understand the conventional way of teaching. So they need extra care and additional technique from the TA. Additionally, there could be students with autism or dyslexia who struggle to learn. It is the teaching assistant’s responsibility to teach them accordingly.

8. Hygiene Training

Kids are always keen to eat anything. Teacher assistants help kids with general needs, such as feeding, sharing, or personal hygiene.

9. Teaching Skills

Sometimes, you have to work with dull students who do not have an understanding of bookish knowledge. You may also face students with disabilities who struggle to learn. As a teacher assistant, you can teach them the necessary skills to find jobs after graduation.

10. Specific Jobs

Your work can be located at specific places, e.g. computer labs, libraries, swimming pools, gyms, or many other places. Remember, there will always be a teacher with you for prime tasks. All you need to do is help who struggles to learn.

Teaching Assistant Jobs

I believe that you have got an idea about your work environment if you become a Class Assistant. Your jobs are available in the following places-

Elementary schools
Middle schools
High schools
Preschools
SEN (Special Education Needs) schools
Childcare centres
Community centres
Religious organisations
Getting on and off the bus during trips
Summer camps

There is also an official UK site that suggests the available teaching assistant jobs in the UK. You can check those to get inspirations 🙂

How to Become a Teaching Assistant?

A good teaching assistant, I hope you plan to be, needs to have some specific qualifications. If you want to become a teaching assistant, I must suggest some skills and professional qualifications. Follow that. Hopefully, you will get offers of teaching assistant jobs in no time.

Let me tell you the way to become a teaching assistant-

TA Qualifications

Qualifications of a teaching assistant are as follows-

College qualification

You can do a college qualification course or college course equivalent online course. Such courses are-

The following credentials are necessary for course certificates-

Intern or Apprenticeship

This is also a nice opportunity to work as a teaching assistant. If you are keen to get a job but can not find any permanent employment, look for an apprenticeship. Your employer or the teacher can ask for the following credential-

Voluntary Work

Sometimes, volunteering for class assistants gives you a sharp experience. Therefore, this can lead to paid work and can be shown as an experience also.

Direct Apply

On the other hand, you can apply directly to an organisation, institution or school to work as a TA. Direct application can be made via local authorities or academy trusts. Meanwhile, if you believe that you have the required qualification of being a teaching assistant, you should apply directly.

Skills and Knowledge Required to become a TA

There are some certain skills that you need to become a competent teaching assistant. The skills are-

Sensitivity and Understanding

If you want to build a good relationship with children, it is important to grow sensitivity and understanding.

Verbal Communication

Verbal communication skills help in motivating children to learn new things.

Listening skills

Your active listening skills are necessary to understand the childrens’ needs.

Patience

Without patience, You can not stay calm in stressful situations.

Flexible Mentality

Being as flexible as possible is a great quality of a TA. Because you need to work with children who are struggling to learn or facing any problem.

Smiling Face

Smile drives away fear and brings a gesture of enjoyment, love and friendliness. Therefore enjoy your work with a smiling face.

Creativity

Special education needing students to struggle with conventional ways of learning. So you must be creative enough to find alternatives to teach them.

Computer Skills

As a teaching assistant, you should be able to work on computers and do paperwork in software. This skill digitalises your teaching methods and lessens the cumbersome paperwork.

Criminal Record Check

There is a chance that the employer wants to check your criminal record. It’s not because you are a suspect but for clarity on both sides. As you will be working with children mainly, some employers consider it necessary. They may check the followings-

A basic check

Firstly, the employer can ask for basic check results. It refers to unspent convictions in courts and conditional cautions.

A standard check

Secondly, a more standard check that refers to-

An enhanced check

Lastly, the can ask for any important information held by-

How to Become a Teaching Assistant with no Experience?

Does it seem hard for you to become a teaching assistant with no experience? Do you need a job but have no experience whatsoever? Well, let me give you some tips in this regard. Your life has been teaching you to be a classroom assistant all along. You did not realise that.

Helping Your Children

Yes. If you are a parent, then helping your children in their daily study activities count. It not only develops your skills but also makes you immensely experienced. You can write that up as your experience and added value.

Volunteering

It is possible that instead of bullying your juniors in schools, you volunteered to teach them. Or it could be a scout volunteering, holiday activities etc. If you have kids who go on outings from school, you can talk to the authority and manage your voluntary proposal.

Babysitting

It seems odd how babysitting can be an added value. Huh, you have no idea how helpful babysitting can be for your future job. Your baby managing skills and teaching them in creative ways can be essential for your teaching job.

Social Activity

In a community, you are familiar with numerous programs. But all these programs need community volunteers, whether it is a religious program or an entertaining one. Such voluntary actions can become your experience if you can grab hold of an important role.

Working Part-Time in Library

Sometimes a group of students require someone to teach them complex subjects. If you can get a part-time job in a library or anywhere it could be your advantage. Such teaching capability is always desirable for a teaching assistant.

Online or Offline Local Social Work

You can help your local community by raising their children or educating them for payment or free. This gesture shows your interest and popularity in handling children. You can show the employer your online page that you work on as a social worker.

Teaching Assistant Courses

Doing an affiliated course is necessary because it proves your determination and keen interest to become a TA. You can search for teaching assistant courses online and do the best among them. Some online courses also offer a diploma for the SEN teaching assistant.

If you are in the stage of early career of SEN teaching, then an online course is a supporting asset to advance your teaching profession. Surely, enrol in the SEN Teaching Assistant and SENCO Training could be one step forward to get a head-start.

Teaching Assistant Salary

The teaching assistant is a high demanding job in the UK. Schools and SEN programs pay a high teaching assistant salary. The average salary for teaching assistants ranges from £11,500 – £23,000 annually with 32-40 week working.

On the other hand, an SEN teaching assistant earns equally as a regular TA. Their average salary ranges from £12,577 – £23,000 annually with 30-40 week working.

SEN Teaching Assistant

Being a TA is general in the UK. But becoming an SEN teaching assistant is a more sensitive and high paying job as you will be dealing with students with special education needs.

SEN Teaching Assistant Training

In this case, the road to becoming an SEN teaching assistant is not that easy. Though your educational requirements would be the same, you are going to need some extra skills. I am listing down some of them below-

A teamwork mentality with strong communication
Someone who understands others’ problems and shows empathy
Adaptability to a chaotic environment in the classroom or anywhere else
Anger management capability and smile in extreme situations
Motivating and encouraging students to overcome their struggle
Be creative and innovative in finding new ways to teach

Closing Note

To sum up, all I can say that teaching assistants plays significant role in our society and one of the most important professions in schools nowadays. People from all over the country have some experience in teaching assistants, yet they are unaware of this fact.

I just listed some of the vital points that you do in everyday life, adding experience subconsciously. If you are interested in pursuing a career in teaching assistant, the suggestions of how to become a teaching assistant might come handy.