Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education Career

Job Description: Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher with instructional duties. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.


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Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education Career

What Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Educations do:

  • Supervise students in classrooms, halls, cafeterias, school yards, and gymnasiums, or on field trips.
  • Discuss assigned duties with classroom teachers to coordinate instructional efforts.
  • Tutor and assist children individually or in small groups to help them master assignments and to reinforce learning concepts presented by teachers.
  • Teach social skills to students.
  • Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.
  • Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.
  • Distribute teaching materials, such as textbooks, workbooks, papers, and pencils, to students.
  • Conduct demonstrations to teach skills, such as sports, dancing, and handicrafts.
  • Enforce administration policies and rules governing students.
  • Requisition and stock teaching materials and supplies.
  • Organize and supervise games and other recreational activities to promote physical, mental, and social development.
  • Present subject matter to students under the direction and guidance of teachers, using lectures, discussions, supervised role-playing methods, or by reading aloud.
  • Prepare lesson materials, bulletin board displays, exhibits, equipment, and demonstrations.
  • Observe students' performance, and record relevant data to assess progress.
  • Clean classrooms.
  • Laminate teaching materials to increase their durability under repeated use.
  • Organize and label materials and display students' work in a manner appropriate for their eye levels and perceptual skills.
  • Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.
  • Type, file, and duplicate materials.
  • Plan, prepare, and develop various teaching aids, such as bibliographies, charts, and graphs.
  • Take class attendance and maintain attendance records.
  • Distribute tests and homework assignments and collect them when they are completed.
  • Maintain computers in classrooms and laboratories, and assist students with hardware and software use.
  • Assist in bus loading and unloading.
  • Participate in teacher-parent conferences regarding students' progress or problems.
  • Operate and maintain audio-visual equipment.
  • Collect money from students for school-related projects.
  • Grade homework and tests, and compute and record results, using answer sheets or electronic marking devices.

What work activities are most important?

Importance Activities

Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Performing General Physical Activities - Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Holland Code Chart for a Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education