Considering a career in education but not sure where to start? Becoming a Teacher’s Assistant is a great way to get started! Many people decide to become Teacher Assistants as a way to gain experience in education and to explore the different environments as they decide which direction they want to pursue fully. Teacher Assistants are also known as TAs, Teacher Aides or Paraprofessionals. There are different stipulations for Teacher’s Assistants in New York depending on the districts as the requirements differ from school to school. The majority of school districts in New York require a Teacher’s Assistant Certification. However, some schools only require a High School diploma (or equivalent) and previous experience as a Teacher’s Assistant.
What is a Teacher’s Assistant?
A Teacher’s Assistant works under the lead teacher and helps the lead teacher in a variety of ways. They are educational professionals that are responsible for assisting in additional support and instruction. Having a TA is extremely helpful to the lead teacher as the lead teacher can focus more time on classroom instruction. The responsibilities of Teacher Assistants are both instructional and clerical. TA’s may work with students in small groups or individually depending on the needs of the classroom.
What are Teacher Assistant’s Responsibilities?
As mentioned earlier, the roles of a Teacher Assistant vary depending on the needs of the lead teacher. The responsibilities include both administrative and instructional tasks. Below is a list of common responsibilities for TA’s.
- Assist the teacher with classroom management and general supervision of the class
- Provide instructional reinforcement for individual students
- Assist with administrative duties such as setting up equipment and preparing materials
- Attend to students’ physical, personal, academic, and emotional needs
- Support students with special needs by following provisions specified in their 504/IEP Plans
- Assist with grading tests, projects, and homework
- Overseeing students during non-classroom times such as recess, lunch, or field trips
- Documenting student progress and communicating with parents to keep them informed
- Teaching in small groups
- Attending all training classes, parent conferences, and faculty meetings
What are the Requirements to Become a Teacher Assistant?
The requirements to become a Teacher Assistant vary by state, district, and the schools themselves. However, across the board you will at least need a high school diploma or equivalent. In the majority of cases, you will need a certificate to become a Teacher Assistant. In 2004, the New York State Department of Education implemented regulations for Teacher Assistants Certifications. This implementation increased the preparation requirements for TA’s and created a career ladder. There are four different levels of teacher assistant certificates issued and the summary of each level can be found below.
- Level I Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Pass the ATAS (New York State Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills Test)
- Complete the Child Abuse workshop
- Complete the School Violence Prevention workshop
- Complete a 6-hour Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination Prevention and Intervention training
- This Certificate is valid for 3 years with the possibility of renewal for an additional 3 years with a commitment for employment
- The commitment to employment must be verified by district/BOCES using superintendent statements via TEACH online services
- Level II Requirements
- High School diploma or equivalent
- 9+ college credits
- Previous experience as a teaching assistant for 1+ years
- This certificate is valid for 3 years and is not available for renewal
- Level III Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent
- 18+ college credits
- Previous experience as a teaching assistant for 1+ years
- Continuously valid with 100 CTLE hours every five years
- Pre-Professional Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent
- 18+ college credits
- Matriculation in teacher preparation program
- Previous experience as a teaching assistant for 1+ years
- This certificate is valid for 5 years and may only be renewed if the individual completed 30 college credits in the previous five-year period
Once you have received your high school degree or equivalent and complete the other requirements listed above for level 1, you are ready to enter the education world. Having a career in education is extremely rewarding. If you’re looking for a teaching assistant job in NY, we got you covered! Simply apply online and one of our dedicated recruiters will reach out to you to get you started.