Educational Requirements

• Potential teaching assistants must possess a high school diploma or G.E.D. In addition, assistants who work in public schools are often required to have completed at least two years of college. If they do not have college credits, they often must pass an exam in order to be considered for the job.
  
  

Additional Requirements

• Most schools prefer that a prospective teacher's assistant has experience working with children. Teaching assistants who work in childcare usually have experience working with infants and preschool children.
  
  

Typical Duties

• Teacher assistants may grade papers, supervise students, decorate bulletin boards or accompany students to lunch. They may perform clerical tasks such as typing, data entry or filing.
  
  

Specialized Teacher's Assistants

• Some assistants work only with special-needs students. Others may assist in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.
  
  

Advancement Opportunities

• Teaching assistants who wish to advance in the field can earn a bachelor's degree in education. After completing a student teaching program and fulfilling additional requirements, the college graduate can then apply for certification as a teacher.