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.

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Classroom Assistant Responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real classroom assistant resumes representing typical tasks they are likely to perform in their roles.

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 Job Description

Perhaps the hardest question to answer when deciding on a career as a classroom assistant is "should I become a classroom assistant?" You might find this info to be helpful. When compared to other jobs, classroom assistant careers are projected to have a growth rate described as "as fast as average" at 4% from 2018 through 2028. This is in accordance with the Bureau of Labor Statistics. What's more, is that the projected number of opportunities that are predicted to become available for a classroom assistant by 2028 is 55,400.

On average, the classroom assistant annual salary is $27,801 per year, which translates to $13.37 an hour. Generally speaking, classroom assistants earn anywhere from $22,000 to $34,000 a year, which means that the top-earning classroom assistants make $12,000 more than the ones at the lower end of the spectrum.

Once you've become a classroom assistant, you may be curious about what other opportunities are out there. Careers aren't one size fits all. For that reason, we discovered some other jobs that you may find appealing. Some jobs you might find interesting include a teacher, instructional aide, substitute teachers aide, and education paraprofessional.

Learn More About Classroom Assistant Job Descriptions

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12 Classroom Assistant Resume Examples

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Johnny Robinson Classroom Assistant Contact Information Chicago, IL (470) 555-1857 jrobinson@example.com Skills Classroom Management Art Activities Telephone Calls Language Development Taking Messages K-12 Computer System Communication Behavioral Issues Mathematics Employment History Classroom Assistant 2020 - Present University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL Tutor small groups in classroom with various subjects Para-Educator Working with students with special needs. Assisted lead teacher in all daily activities and with room set-up and clean up. Helped teachers in classroom management Engaged children in a variety amount of games and pretend play Prepared materials to implement daily lessons and learning activities and adjusted instruction to meet students' needs. School Aide 2014 - 2020 Chicago Public Library Chicago, IL Attended professional development workshops - Developed and maintained classroom management by implementing classroom rules and consequences. School Lunch Aide in charge of monitoring the students while in lunch room. Create open lines of communication with parents to establish life-long relationships. Provided support to teachers and assisted with daily classroom operations Managed a work program and worked with a wide range of students Attended a variety of professional development workshops centered on learning goals, classroom management, student motivation and engaging learning activities. Clerk Typist 2007 - 2014 FRYS Food Stores Phoenix, AZ Determined whether stock need to be place out on the sales floor or to be put back in back stock. Answered and directed phone calls, and helped with the employees needs when coming to Human Resources. Assisted in securing new faculty and staff members' long distance codes, building alarm codes and their email addresses. Balance purchase orders to confirm that the bills match the amount that was counted by clerks. Education Certificate Business 2006 - 2007 Arizona State University Phoenix, AZ


Scott Shaw Classroom Assistant Contact Info Oxon Hill, MD (980) 555-1067 sshaw@example.com Skills Class ActivitiesMathematicsCPRDHSLearning ActivitiesDaily ActivitiesClassroom ManagementChild CareIntellectual DisabilitiesCo-Taught Employment History Classroom Assistant 2020 - Present Kiddie Academy Oxon Hill, MD Maintained daily classroom schedule which included learning colors,numbers, alphabet and shapes. Assisted in three-year-old's summer program Obtained First Aid/CPR certification. Plan and conduct weekly professional development workshops using research based strategies aligned to literacy and math goals. Completed 2 years child care for wilco Co of program. Teacher Aide 2017 - 2020 YWCA USA Washington, DC Planned, prepared, and taught daily developmentally appropriate curriculum for children ages 3-5. Assisted teachers at the drop in child care center. Residential Assistant 2010 - 2016 GALLAUDET UNIV College Park, MD Assist clients living with Severe Mental Illness work towards independence while residing in a residential care facility. Addressed Residential life issues such as conflict management and academic recovery. Conduct security checks inside and outside grounds of the facility. Education Master's Degree Communication 2016 - 2017 University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MD Bachelor's Degree Communication 2007 - 2010 University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MD


Matthew Henderson Classroom Assistant Columbus, OH (890) 555-0949 mhenderson@example.com Experience Classroom Assistant2011 - Present KinderCare•Columbus, OH Maintain classroom management to ensure the safety of each child. Performed all phases of teaching and classroom management. Assist and handle with behavioral issues that might come up during noncompliance and off-task times. Student Teacher Assistant2010 - 2011 Chicago Public Library•Oakbrook Terrace, IL Facilitate Professional Development on Science Strategies (Laboratory and Instructional). Utilize summative and formative assessments to monitor and measure the effectiveness of teaching and student learning. Teach children Assist teachers with organization of weekly lesson plans Monitor and make sure classroom is a safe learning environment Created and implemented engaging, age-appropriate and curriculum specific lesson plans. Classroom Assistant2003 - 2010 Chicago Public Library•Oakbrook Terrace, IL Assisted teacher in daily classroom activities. Planned multiple lessons (Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies) for twenty-eight students based on Michiganstate standards. Aided with classroom management and assisted with implementing lesson plans. Work collaboratively with the Special Education teacher to design instruction for students with special needs in the inclusion classes. Assisted teachers with all aspects of care for infant students Monitored toddler and older students during playtime and other daily activities Skills Child CareStudent LearningSpecial EducationLesson PlansCommunicationESLEducational ProgramsCPRClassroom ManagementMathematics Education Associate's Degree Business2001 - 2003 DeVry University•Oakbrook Terrace, IL

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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.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Classroom Assistant Resume templates

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Most classroom assistants list "cpr," "mathematics," and "photocopying" as skills on their resumes. We go into more details on the most important classroom assistant responsibilities here:

Arguably the most important personality trait for a classroom assistant to have happens to be communication skills. An example from a resume said this about the skill, "teacher assistants need to be clear and concise in discussing student progress with teachers and parents." Additionally, other resumes have pointed out that classroom assistants can use communication skills to "maintained consistent communication with parents regarding classroom behavior, expectations, assignments. "

While it may not be the most important skill, we found that many classroom assistant duties rely on interpersonal skills. This example from a classroom assistant explains why: "teacher assistants must be able to develop relationships with a variety of people, including teachers, students, parents, and administrators." This resume example is just one of many ways classroom assistants are able to utilize interpersonal skills: "created class material for undergraduate course, interpersonal management, by creating lectures, powerpoint and exams. "

Classroom assistants are also known for patience, which can be critical when it comes to performing their duties. An example of why this skill is important is shown by this snippet that we found in a classroom assistant resume: "working with students of different abilities and backgrounds may be difficult" We also found this resume example that details how this skill is put to the test: "modeled patience and a positive attitude to establish an encouraging learning environment. "

See the full list of classroom assistant skills.

We've found that 59.4% of classroom assistants have earned a bachelor's degree. Furthermore, 7.7% earned their master's degrees before becoming a classroom assistant. While it's true that most classroom assistants have a college degree, it's generally possible to become one with only a high school degree. In fact, one out of every seven classroom assistants did not spend the extra money to attend college.

Those classroom assistants who do attend college, typically earn either a psychology degree or a elementary education degree. Less commonly earned degrees for classroom assistants include a business degree or a early childhood education degree.

Once you're ready to become a classroom assistant, you should explore the companies that typically hire classroom assistants. According to classroom assistant resumes that we searched through, classroom assistants are hired the most by Edmond Public Schools, Broward County Public Schools, and Capital Area Community Services. Currently, Edmond Public Schools has 30 classroom assistant job openings, while there are 20 at Broward County Public Schools and 10 at Capital Area Community Services.

If you're interested in companies where classroom assistants make the most money, you'll want to apply for positions at University of California, Berkeley, UC Santa Barbara, and St. Clare Catholic School. We found that at University of California, Berkeley, the average classroom assistant salary is $38,351. Whereas at UC Santa Barbara, classroom assistants earn roughly $34,065. And at St. Clare Catholic School, they make an average salary of $33,043.

View more details on classroom assistant salaries across the United States.

If you earned a degree from the top 100 educational institutions in the United States, you might want to take a look at Brigham Young University, Purdue University, and Bright Horizons. These three companies have hired a significant number of classroom assistants from these institutions.

The three companies that hire the most prestigious classroom assistants are:

Edmond Public Schools
30 Classroom Assistants Jobs
Broward County Public Schools20 Classroom Assistants Jobs
Capital Area Community Services10 Classroom Assistants Jobs

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What Teachers Do

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.

In this section, we compare the average classroom assistant annual salary with that of a teacher. Typically, teachers earn a $20,188 higher salary than classroom assistants earn annually.

While their salaries may differ, one common ground between classroom assistants and teachers are a few of the skills required in each craft. In both careers, employees bring forth skills like cpr, mathematics, and iep.

As far as similarities go, this is where it ends because a classroom assistant responsibility requires skills such as "photocopying," "homework assignments," "child care," and "behavioral issues." Whereas a teacher is skilled in "handle scheduling," "kids," "curriculum development," and "math." So if you're looking for what truly separates the two careers, you've found it.

Teachers tend to make the most money in the education industry by averaging a salary of $49,700. In contrast, classroom assistants make the biggest average salary of $27,753 in the technology industry.

The education levels that teachers earn is a bit different than that of 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.

What Are The Duties Of an 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.

Now we're going to look at the instructional aide profession. On average, instructional aides earn a $3,192 higher salary than classroom assistants a year.

Not everything about these jobs is different. Take their skills, for example. Classroom assistants and instructional aides both include similar skills like "cpr," "mathematics," and "iep" on their resumes.

But both careers also use 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," some instructional aides use skills like "work ethic," "math," "direct supervision," and "basic math."

On average, instructional aides earn a higher salary than classroom assistants. There are industries that support higher salaries in each profession respectively. Interestingly enough, instructional aides earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $30,309. Whereas, classroom assistants have higher paychecks in the technology industry where they earn an average of $27,753.

When it comes to the differences in education between the two professions, 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.

How a Substitute Teachers Aide Compares

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.

Let's now take a look at the substitute teachers aide profession. On average, these workers make lower salaries than classroom assistants with a $313 difference per year.

By looking over several classroom assistants and substitute teachers aides resumes, we found that both roles utilize similar skills, such as "cpr," "mathematics," and "iep." But beyond that the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers are a few of the skills necessary to fulfill responsibilities. Some examples from classroom assistant resumes include skills like "photocopying," "child care," "first aid training," and "applied behavior analysis," whereas a substitute teachers aide might be skilled 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. Whereas classroom assistants are paid the highest salary in the technology industry with the average being $27,753.

When it comes to education, substitute teachers aides tend to earn similar education levels than 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.

Description Of an 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.

Education paraprofessionals tend to earn a higher pay than classroom assistants by about $3,357 per year.

While both classroom assistants and education paraprofessionals complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like cpr, mathematics, and iep, the two careers also vary in other skills.

Each job requires different skills like "photocopying," "child care," "language development," and "art projects," which might show up on a classroom assistant resume. Whereas education paraprofessional might include skills like "autism," "math," "instructional support," and "kindergarten."

Now, let's take a closer look at the financials in each career. The finance industry tends to pay more for education paraprofessionals with an average of $31,602. While the highest classroom assistant annual salary comes from the technology industry.

The average resume of education paraprofessionals showed that they earn similar levels of education to classroom assistants. So much so that the likelihood of them earning a Master's Degree is 1.2% more. Additionally, they're more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.

Updated October 2, 2020