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Assistant Teacher Job Description: Top Duties and Requirements

An Assistant Teacher, or Teacher’s Assistant, works alongside a licensed Teacher to provide any supplemental materials and instruction that students may need. Their duties include supporting the Teacher, preparing materials to augment classroom instruction, and keeping track of records like grades and attendance.

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Assistant Teacher duties and responsibilities

Assistant Teachers play an important role in the classroom by fulfilling numerous duties and responsibilities that are essential for augmenting the efforts of a Teacher. While the details can vary based on the demands of any particular classroom, some general duties and responsibilities include:

  • Providing special attention and assistance to students in need
  • Preparing instructional materials and equipment used in the classroom
  • Ensuring students follow proper procedures and behaviour practices in the classroom
  • Keeping records of attendance and grades
  • Working with Teachers and parents to discuss student progress
  • Adapting instructional materials as needed for a variety of students
  • Ensuring the safety of students
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What does an Assistant Teacher do?

Assistant Teachers provide supplemental instruction to students in a classroom. While a licensed Teacher runs the class, Assistant Teachers can provide special attention to students who are struggling as well as provide additional materials to complement what the Teacher supplies. Assistant Teachers also keep track of grades, attendance, and any other records essential for the proper functioning of a classroom. Additionally, they keep track of students at lunch, at recess, and on field trips.

Assistant Teacher skills and qualifications

Assistant Teachers must possess many skills to do their jobs well. Some important skills to consider for an Assistant Teacher include:

  • Communication skills
  • Empathy for people of various backgrounds and abilities
  • Attention to detail and organization
  • Collaboration skills to work with parents and Teachers
  • Ability to maintain focus and control with students in chaotic environments
  • Problem-solving skills

Assistant Teacher experience requirements

Because Assistant Teachers work alongside a licensed Teacher, they don’t need the same qualifications. An Assistant Teacher position may be a first teaching experience in a formal setting. Often, they may have suitable practice with teaching techniques or being a Teacher’s Aide, depending on the responsibilities of the position.

Assistant Teacher education and training requirements

Assistant Teachers require at least two years of college or an associate degree. If there are any additional requirements, such as those of a Special Education Teacher, the specialization should be reflected in completed college courses or degrees. Additionally, Assistant Teachers are often expected to be certified in CPR and first aid.

Assistant Teacher salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for an Assistant Teacher in Canada is $18.88 per hour. However, this can vary depending on factors including the experience level of the applicant, the grade level the Assistant Teacher will be working with, the location of the school, among others.

Job description samples for similar positions

If Assistant Teacher doesn’t quite fit the position you’re looking to fill, some similar positions that may be more appropriate include:

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Assistant Teacher job description FAQs

What's the difference between an Assistant Teacher and a Teacher's Aide?

An Assistant Teacher must be able to provide supplementary instruction to students as necessary and create classroom materials, while a Teacher’s Aide doesn’t actually do any teaching. Teacher’s Aides make instruction easier for the Teacher, responsible for clerical work and classroom supervision, and may also proctor tests. While Assistant Teachers can do all of this as well, they can also grade work, provide lessons and give special help to students regarding the educational material being studied.

What qualities should you look for in an Assistant Teacher?

One of the most important aspects of any Assistant Teacher is the ability to be sociable. They have to effectively engage with students to both convey information and understand students’ needs. Emotional intelligence plays a key role in just about every aspect of the job as well, so a candidate should have this as a prerequisite. Being able to keep students engaged means understanding when they might be distracted or when they’re struggling without them explicitly stating it. Patience and empathy are necessary too, as Assistant Teachers must understand how to educate students who frequently act out in class.

What should you look for in an Assistant Teacher resume?

Many important items need to be present in any Assistant Teacher resume but, ultimately, you’re looking for resumes that demonstrate several areas of expertise. Not only do Assistant Teachers need to have the basic teaching skills needed to convey the material in any given lesson, but they also need to possess the relevant conflict resolution skills. The candidate’s active listening, conflict resolution, and empathy skills should be highlighted specifically in their resume, as dealing with students and keeping them focused is one of the most essential aspects of the job. It’s important to note that safety is one of the biggest concerns when hiring an Assistant Teacher, and having a solid employment history is a great start.

Job Description Examples

Need help writing a job description for a specific role? Use these job description examples to create your next great job posting. Or if you’re ready to hire, post your job on Indeed.

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