What Are the Requirements for Being a Teacher Assistant?
- Teacher assistants have a variety of duties. They include providing tutoring to students on a one-on-one basis, helping in the computer lab and with management of the classroom. They also head parent involvement activities, translate, help in the library or media center and give instructional services to students.
- At a minimum, many employers require teacher's assistants to have a high school diploma or a GED. This is not always the case, however. Some child care centers will hire teacher assistants who are over the age of 16 but who are still in high school.
- Some child care centers require teacher assistants to have some classes in early childhood education or at least an associate's degree in early childhood education if they want to work in a preschool classroom. This is more often the requirements for lead teachers, however. Having a high school diploma or equivalent is also required in other teacher assistant positions.
- Schools that receive funds from the federal government and have a majority of students who are defined as "low income" must have teacher assistants who are "highly qualified," as defined by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Specific standards are set by states and local school districts. If a teacher assistant works primarily in an instructional capacity, she must have at least an associate degree or two years of study at an institution of higher learning. She may also meet this requirement by taking courses and exams. Teachers must attend classes about education and pass an exam if they do not meet these requirements. Some districts offer tuition assistance to teacher assistants who want to get their college degrees in education, with which they can become teachers.
- Patience and good communication abilities are two skills required of teacher assistants. They should also be able to read and write well and to do basic mathematics problems. They should also have a desire to continue their learning. If they are to meet "highly qualified" status as defined by both their states and local boards of education, they may have to take professional development classes. Teacher assistants should also like working with students from a variety of cultural backgrounds.