What does a classroom assistant do?
A classroom assistant is responsible for monitoring the class activities and the students' learning progress under the command of a head instructor. Classroom assistants help the teachers in conducting engaging learning activities, creating comprehensive lesson plans, and gathering educational materials to support the students' needs. They take the initiative on observing the class when the teacher is away, leaving them activities to work on as the teacher instructed. A classroom assistant must have excellent communication and organization skills, as they also serve as a liaison between the students and the teacher for inquiries and concerns.
Classroom assistant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real classroom assistant resumes:
- Lead chemistry recitations, prepare lessons, and coordinate student problem solving sessions.
- Work at PTA and PTO events in various capacities.
- Support the educational growth of elementary school students by working with small groups in math, language arts, and science.
- Provide support to kindergarten classroom teacher through individual reading intervention and math assistance
- Direct group activities within learning centers emphasizing spatial recognition, understanding patterns of colors and numbers for kindergarten class.
- Work with ESE, VPK, and Pre-K, students.
- Check food logs and CPR kits monthly.
- Volunteer with the LMES PTO and chair many events.
- Receive certifications in CPR and first aid as part of training requirements
- Provide recruitment of volunteers for grade level, school-wide and PTO events.
- Create an intervention plan for a pre-K student base on areas of need.
- Create lessons, aid teachers, and help teach English to international ESL students.
- Assist in coordinating student projects, AR tests, library help, and PTA events
- Used ABA therapy to conduct a wide variety of skill development programs aim at increasing student independence.
- Assist literacy-level, beginning-high, and intermediate-low level adult ESL classes as a classroom assistant and student teacher.
Classroom assistant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 25% of Classroom Assistants are proficient in CPR, Mathematics, and Photocopying. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Interpersonal skills, and Patience.
We break down the percentage of Classroom Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- CPR, 25%
Offered detailed daily reports, created and implemented a developmentally appropriate curriculum, upheld all CPR and Ohio regulated certifications
- Mathematics, 20%
Tutor Kindergarten students in Mathematics and Reading * Assist teachers of Kindergarten students in planning classroom activities
- Photocopying, 17%
Assisted teachers in the classroom environment for Pre-K-6 students with class materials, photocopying, correcting papers, clerical duties etc.
- IEP, 12%
Participated in Individualized Education Plan Meetings and IEP goal design and execution.
- Homework Assignments, 8%
Checked student homework assignments papers.
- Child Care, 3%
Assist child care teacher with diaper changing, feeding, curriculum activities, nap time, etc.
Most classroom assistants use their skills in "cpr," "mathematics," and "photocopying" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential classroom assistant responsibilities here:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a classroom assistant to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what classroom assistants do because "teacher assistants need to be clear and concise in discussing student progress with teachers and parents." Additionally, a classroom assistant resume shows how classroom assistants use communication skills: "maintained consistent communication with parents regarding classroom behavior, expectations, assignments. "
Interpersonal skills. Many classroom assistant duties rely on interpersonal skills. "teacher assistants must be able to develop relationships with a variety of people, including teachers, students, parents, and administrators.," so a classroom assistant will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways classroom assistant responsibilities rely on interpersonal skills: "created class material for undergraduate course, interpersonal management, by creating lectures, powerpoint and exams. "
Patience. classroom assistants are also known for patience, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to classroom assistant responsibilities, because "working with students of different abilities and backgrounds may be difficult." A classroom assistant resume example shows how patience is used in the workplace: "modeled patience and a positive attitude to establish an encouraging learning environment. "
The three companies that hire the most classroom assistants are:
- Edmond Public Schools30 classroom assistants jobs
- Broward County Public Schools20 classroom assistants jobs
- Capital Area Community Services10 classroom assistants jobs
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Compare different classroom assistants
Classroom assistant vs. Teacher
Being a teacher is one of the most passionate professions, among others. Teachers educate, motivate, and guide every generation of learners to prepare them for the real world. Every teacher is unique and has their own teaching styles and methods depending on the subject they teach and the age of their students. Oftentimes they also function as a parent, counselor, coach, friend, and even a lawmaker. There is essentially no limit to the roles a teacher portrays.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between classroom assistants and teacher. For instance, classroom assistant responsibilities require skills such as "photocopying," "homework assignments," "child care," and "behavioral issues." Whereas a teacher is skilled in "handle scheduling," "kids," "curriculum development," and "math." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Teachers tend to make the most money working in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $49,700. In contrast, classroom assistants make the biggest average salary, $27,753, in the technology industry.The education levels that teachers earn slightly differ from classroom assistants. In particular, teachers are 7.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a classroom assistant. Additionally, they're 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Classroom assistant vs. Instructional aide
An instructional aide focuses on performing support-related tasks for a teacher or faculty member. They are primarily responsible for helping teachers maintain a safe and healthy learning environment, recording attendance, creating visual aids or presentations, participating in the preparation of lesson plans and tests, and assisting students who are having difficulties in a particular task or lesson. An instructional aide may also take part in counseling and supervising students' behavior during class activities, all while adhering to the school's policies and regulations.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real classroom assistant resumes. While classroom assistant responsibilities can utilize skills like "photocopying," "child care," "first aid training," and "language development," instructional aides use skills like "work ethic," "math," "direct supervision," and "basic math."
On average, instructional aides earn a higher salary than classroom assistants. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, instructional aides earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $30,309. Whereas classroom assistants have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $27,753.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Instructional aides tend to reach similar levels of education than classroom assistants. In fact, they're 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Classroom assistant vs. Substitute teachers aide
A substitute teacher's aide assists classroom teachers in executing their tasks such as evaluating the progress and needs of students. Substitute teachers' aides ensure education's progress by providing assistance to lead classroom teachers. To work effectively, they apply dynamic strategic planning, project management skills, and prioritization to meet deadlines. They work in paraprofessional positions providing the behavior and academic needs of the students. Also, they are always there to help students in any way possible.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from classroom assistant resumes include skills like "photocopying," "child care," "first aid training," and "applied behavior analysis," whereas a substitute teachers aide is more likely to list skills in "k-12," "teacher aides," "student learning," and "autistic children. "
Substitute teachers aides make a very good living in the education industry with an average annual salary of $27,274. On the other hand, classroom assistants are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $27,753.When it comes to education, substitute teachers aides tend to earn similar degree levels compared to classroom assistants. In fact, they're 1.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Classroom assistant vs. Education paraprofessional
An education paraprofessional's role is to carry out support tasks for a teacher in a school setting. They are responsible for creating learning materials such as visual aids and presentations, participating in devising lesson plans and assessment methods, grading and evaluating student performances, and even maintaining order in the classroom. There are also instances where they must assist students who are having difficulties catching up with the lessons. Furthermore, an education paraprofessional may also teach under the supervision of a more experienced educator.
Types of classroom assistant
Updated January 8, 2025
