How to become a Teaching Assistant

How to become a Teaching Assistant For a Teaching Assistant the job is all about making a difference, on a daily basis…The main role of a Teaching Assistant (also known as TA or Classroom Assistant) is to provide support and assistance to a teacher, making sure students are given all the help they need to get the most out of their education.The key duties of a TA will usually include, although not be limited to, the following:Providing support to children with mathematics, reading and writing on an individual, class or small group basisProving one-on-one help to children who require itGiving further attention to children with any other special needs or requirementsMotivating and encouraging pupilsSupervising students at lunch, on events or trips and for special activitiesTaking care of various admin tasks, including preparing materials for lessons, photocopying, laminating and marking papersIs it right for me?If you couldn’t wait to get out of the classroom when you were younger, this may not be the career path fo r you…To be successful in this position, having a passion for working with children is essential, as well as a genuine interest in education. You will also need exceptional communication skills and must be able to motivate pupils who may sometimes be unruly or lack confidence. Other key skills and attributes include:A friendly and approachable natureExcellent reading, writing, numeracy and listening skillsFlexibility and versatilityAbility to build relationships with both staff and students, but also display a good level of discipline when requiredA passion for teachingPatienceCareer Progression Teaching AssistantUp to £20,000 TeacherUp to £30,000 Head of DepartmentUp to £40,000What's it really like? I try to do as much as possible to help out whoever is teaching the lesson by assisting with lesson plans and doing any paperwork or admin that I can. But my job is about much more than that. Just being there for the children, and seeing the smile on their faces when I help them solve a tricky maths problem or answer a question, is incredibly rewarding. Get qualifiedThe most useful qualifications to a potential Teaching Assistant will generally include some form of work placement, allowing you to learn in a practical setting take a look at the Teaching Assistant courses available. Or, you could choose a course that specialises in a certain area like the  Level 3 QCF SEN Teaching Assistant which focuses on Special Educational Needs (SEN).