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

Salary Overview

Key Skills

Knowledge Areas

What They Do

• Distribute teaching materials, such as textbooks, workbooks, papers, and pencils, to students.
• Requisition and stock teaching materials and supplies.
• Teach social skills to students.
• Present subject matter to students under the direction and guidance of teachers, using lectures, discussions, supervised role-playing methods, or by reading aloud.
• Observe students' performance, and record relevant data to assess progress.
• Organize and supervise games and other recreational activities to promote physical, mental, and social development.
• Conduct demonstrations to teach skills, such as sports, dancing, and handicrafts.
• Supervise students in classrooms, halls, cafeterias, school yards, and gymnasiums, or on field trips.

Tools & Technology

★ = Hot Technology (in-demand)

Education Requirements

Typical entry-level education: High School Diploma

Related Careers

Careers with the highest skill compatibility from Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education.

A Day in the Life

A morning in a preschool classroom might involve helping children transition from arrival routines to circle time, guiding small groups through hands-on activities while the lead teacher instructs. In an elementary classroom, a TA might pull three students to a reading table for small-group guided reading while the rest of the class works independently. Middle school TAs often circulate during independent work periods, helping students who are stuck and flagging those who may need additional assessment. High school TAs in vocational or lab courses supervise equipment use and assist students with project work. End-of-day duties frequently include sanitizing supplies, organizing materials, and reviewing notes with the lead teacher about individual student needs.

Work Environment

School-based TAs work within classrooms, hallways, cafeterias, and playgrounds of elementary, middle, and high school facilities. The school calendar aligns work schedules with the academic year, providing summers off and holiday breaks that many find attractive. Physical demands are significant—preschool and elementary TAs in particular spend considerable time crouching, lifting children, and moving constantly throughout the day. Noise levels in classrooms and common areas are consistently high, and managing groups of energetic students requires mental and emotional resilience. Collegial relationships with teachers and school staff create a team-oriented culture that many find professionally supportive.

Career Path & Advancement

Most paraprofessional positions in public schools require a high school diploma and at minimum 60 college credit hours or passing a paraprofessional assessment under the requirements of federal education law. Many TAs begin their careers with these baseline qualifications while simultaneously pursuing a bachelor's degree in education. With a four-year degree completed, most states allow TAs to obtain a teaching credential and move into lead teacher roles. Some TAs specialize and remain in the paraprofessional role long-term, developing deep expertise working with specific grade levels or subject areas. Building a strong reputation within a school or district often leads to recruitment for lead positions, instructional coaching, or program coordination roles.

Specializations

Preschool classroom assistants develop expertise in early childhood development, social-emotional learning, and play-based instructional techniques. Math and literacy intervention TAs support targeted small-group remediation sessions, working closely with reading specialists and math coaches. Bilingual paraprofessionals provide bridging support for English language learners, translating instructions, building vocabulary in both languages, and communicating with families. Science and technology lab assistants manage equipment, support hands-on experiments, and maintain safe and organized workspaces in secondary schools.

Pros & Cons

Industry Insight

Demand for school-based paraprofessionals has grown substantially as schools increasingly adopt inclusion models that educate students with varying needs in the general education classroom. The Every Student Succeeds Act and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act continue to drive the need for additional classroom support personnel. Teacher shortages in many districts have elevated the status of experienced TAs who are recruited to fill emergency instructional roles. Competitive compensation remains a persistent challenge, with many districts facing recruitment difficulties due to below-average paraprofessional pay. State-level policy efforts to fund paraprofessional-to-teacher pipeline programs represent a growing investment in this workforce segment.