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

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.

Tasks Include:

Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.
Clean classrooms.
Conduct demonstrations to teach skills, such as sports, dancing, and handicrafts.
Discuss assigned duties with classroom teachers to coordinate instructional efforts.
Distribute teaching materials, such as textbooks, workbooks, papers, and pencils, to students.
Enforce administration policies and rules governing students.
Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.
Laminate teaching materials to increase their durability under repeated use.
Observe students' performance, and record relevant data to assess progress.
Organize and label materials and display students' work in a manner appropriate for their eye levels and perceptual skills.
Organize and supervise games and other recreational activities to promote physical, mental, and social development.
Prepare lesson materials, bulletin board displays, exhibits, equipment, and demonstrations.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™; US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet291)

Projections Quick View:

Virginia: No Data

National: No Data

Education

High School Diploma

Job Zone:

Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Income Range:

No Data

Median Earnings:

National

No Data

State

No Data

Regional

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

Description

Career Cluster:

Education & Training

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)

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

Education

Required Level of Education

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) = 27.10%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production) = 19.89%
Some College Courses = 17.12%
Bachelor's Degree = 16.28%
Master's Degree = 15.14%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) = 3.24%
Less than a High School Diploma = 1.24%

Related Work Experience

Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 40.93%
Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 28.12%
None = 22.09%
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 4.71%
Up to and including 1 month = 2.81%
Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years = 1.35%

On-Site or In-Plant Training

Up to and including 1 month = 60.63%
None = 37.02%
Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 1.35%
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 1%

On-the-Job Training

Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month = 90.40%
None or short demonstration = 5.14%
Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 2.47%
Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 1.14%
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 0.85%

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)

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

Tasks

Core Tasks Include:

Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.
Clean classrooms.
Conduct demonstrations to teach skills, such as sports, dancing, and handicrafts.
Discuss assigned duties with classroom teachers to coordinate instructional efforts.
Distribute teaching materials, such as textbooks, workbooks, papers, and pencils, to students.
Enforce administration policies and rules governing students.
Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.
Laminate teaching materials to increase their durability under repeated use.
Observe students' performance, and record relevant data to assess progress.
Organize and label materials and display students' work in a manner appropriate for their eye levels and perceptual skills.
Organize and supervise games and other recreational activities to promote physical, mental, and social development.
Prepare lesson materials, bulletin board displays, exhibits, equipment, and demonstrations.
Present subject matter to students under the direction and guidance of teachers, using lectures, discussions, supervised role-playing methods, or by reading aloud.
Requisition and stock teaching materials and supplies.
Supervise students in classrooms, halls, cafeterias, school yards, and gymnasiums, or on field trips.
Teach social skills to students.
Tutor and assist children individually or in small groups to help them master assignments and to reinforce learning concepts presented by teachers.
Type, file, and duplicate materials.
Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.

Supplemental Tasks Include:

Assist in bus loading and unloading.
Collect money from students for school-related projects.
Distribute tests and homework assignments and collect them when they are completed.
Grade homework and tests, and compute and record results, using answer sheets or electronic marking devices.
Maintain computers in classrooms and laboratories, and assist students with hardware and software use.
Operate and maintain audio-visual equipment.
Participate in teacher-parent conferences regarding students' progress or problems.
Plan, prepare, and develop various teaching aids, such as bibliographies, charts, and graphs.
Take class attendance and maintain attendance records.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)

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

Knowledge

%	Subject	Description
77.75	Customer and Personal Service	Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
70.00	English Language	Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
69.00	Psychology	Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
63.00	Mathematics	Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
62.00	Education and Training	Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
57.50	Public Safety and Security	Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
54.00	Administrative	Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
52.00	Sociology and Anthropology	Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
49.75	Geography	Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)

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

Skills

%	Subject	Description
68.75	Active Listening	Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
68.75	Social Perceptiveness	Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
65.50	Reading Comprehension	Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
65.50	Speaking	Talking to others to convey information effectively.
62.50	Coordination	Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
62.50	Service Orientation	Actively looking for ways to help people.
59.50	Writing	Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
59.50	Critical Thinking	Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
59.50	Learning Strategies	Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
59.50	Monitoring	Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
59.50	Instructing	Teaching others how to do something.
56.25	Time Management	Managing one's own time and the time of others.
53.00	Active Learning	Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
53.00	Complex Problem Solving	Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
50.00	Persuasion	Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)

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

Abilities

%	Subject	Description
68.75	Oral Comprehension	The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
68.75	Written Comprehension	The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
68.75	Oral Expression	The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
65.50	Information Ordering	The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
62.50	Written Expression	The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
62.50	Problem Sensitivity	The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
62.50	Speech Clarity	The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
62.50	Speech Recognition	The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
59.50	Deductive Reasoning	The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
59.50	Category Flexibility	The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
59.50	Near Vision	The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
59.50	Far Vision	The ability to see details at a distance.
56.25	Fluency of Ideas	The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
56.25	Originality	The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
53.00	Inductive Reasoning	The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)

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

Work Activities

%	Subject	Description
87.50	Assisting and Caring for Others	Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
86.50	Thinking Creatively	Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
86.25	Getting Information	Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
84.25	Making Decisions and Solving Problems	Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
82.75	Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others	Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
79.00	Developing Objectives and Strategies	Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
78.75	Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
78.50	Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships	Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
77.75	Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
77.50	Scheduling Work and Activities	Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
76.00	Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work	Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
75.75	Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings	Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
75.25	Documenting/Recording Information	Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
72.75	Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials	Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
69.50	Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others	Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
69.25	Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
67.25	Performing General Physical Activities	Performing physical 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.
66.25	Processing Information	Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
65.50	Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People	Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
65.00	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.
61.00	Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others	Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
59.50	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.
56.50	Coaching and Developing Others	Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
53.00	Working with Computers	Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
52.00	Training and Teaching Others	Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
51.75	Analyzing Data or Information	Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
50.75	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.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)

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

Work Styles

%	Subject	Description
88.50	Dependability	Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
87.50	Concern for Others	Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
86.75	Adaptability/Flexibility	Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
86.25	Integrity	Job requires being honest and ethical.
85.00	Stress Tolerance	Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
81.75	Self-Control	Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
80.75	Social Orientation	Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
79.00	Cooperation	Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
74.75	Independence	Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
70.75	Attention to Detail	Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
64.25	Persistence	Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
59.00	Achievement/Effort	Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
58.25	Initiative	Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
57.25	Innovation	Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
56.75	Analytical Thinking	Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
55.50	Leadership	Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)

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

Work Context

%	Subject	Description
98.00	Contact With Others	How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
95.00	Physical Proximity	To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?
94.80	Indoors, Environmentally Controlled	How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
92.80	Work With Work Group or Team	How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
85.40	Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results	What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
84.80	Frequency of Decision Making	How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
83.40	Coordinate or Lead Others	How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
75.60	Face-to-Face Discussions	How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
75.40	Responsible for Others' Health and Safety	How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
73.60	Spend Time Standing	How much does this job require standing?
72.80	Electronic Mail	How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
72.20	Structured versus Unstructured Work	To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
71.80	Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable	How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
69.40	Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling	How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?
69.40	Exposed to Disease or Infections	How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?
68.20	Spend Time Walking and Running	How much does this job require walking and running?
67.80	Freedom to Make Decisions	How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
63.00	Deal With External Customers	How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?
61.00	Importance of Being Exact or Accurate	How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
61.00	Frequency of Conflict Situations	How often are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
58.00	Importance of Repeating Same Tasks	How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job?
57.20	Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls	How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
56.20	Outdoors, Exposed to Weather	How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
54.80	Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People	How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?
54.40	Very Hot or Cold Temperatures	How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?
53.80	Consequence of Error	How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable?
53.20	Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body	How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?
52.40	Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions	How much does this job require making repetitive motions?

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)

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

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Overall Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Examples
- These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)

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

Related Occupations

The related occupations here have similar general capabilities and interests; career explorers may also be interested in the related occupations:

Careers in Teaching/Training Pathway:

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)

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

View Videos

CareerOneStop Video

View Video & Transcript on CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop Education & Training Videos
Overview
Occupations

The data sources for the information displayed here include: New York State Department of Labor; New Jersey Department of Labor; California Occupational Information Coordinating Committee; CareerOneStop. (Using onet291)

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

Proficiency Ratings

These proficiencies are scored on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being not
important to the job and 5 being extremely important to the job.

Proficiency	Rating
Assisting and Caring for Others	4.5
Thinking Creatively	4.5
Getting Information	4.5
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	4.5
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others	4.5
Developing Objectives and Strategies	4.0
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	4.0
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships	4.0
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	4.0
Scheduling Work and Activities	4.0
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work	4.0
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings	4.0
Documenting/Recording Information	4.0
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials	4.0
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others	4.0
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	4.0
Performing General Physical Activities	3.5
Processing Information	3.5
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People	3.5
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards	3.5
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others	3.5
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public	3.5
Coaching and Developing Others	3.5
Working with Computers	3.0
Training and Teaching Others	3.0
Analyzing Data or Information	3.0
Communicating with People Outside the Organization	3.0
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information	3.0
Developing and Building Teams	2.5
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others	2.5
Handling and Moving Objects	2.0
Monitoring and Controlling Resources	2.0
Performing Administrative Activities	2.0
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates	2.0
Selling or Influencing Others	2.0
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment	2.0
Staffing Organizational Units	1.5
Controlling Machines and Processes	1.5
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment	1.5
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment	1.5
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment	1.0

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)

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

Related Schools

Bluefield University
Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach
Centura College-Virginia Beach
Columbia College
Eastern Mennonite University
Emory & Henry University
George Mason University
James Madison University
Liberty University
Longwood University
Old Dominion University
Patrick & Henry Community College
Piedmont Virginia Community College
Radford University
Randolph College
Randolph-Macon College
Regent University
Roanoke College
Shenandoah University
Tidewater Community College
University of Lynchburg
University of Mary Washington
University of Virginia-Main Campus
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Wesleyan University

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)