What does an instructional aide do?
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.
Instructional aide responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real instructional aide resumes:
- Help ESL students achieve their academic goals while they learn a new language and adapt to a new community and culture.
- Perform responsible human support and paraprofessional work assisting classroom teacher or other professionals, achieve institution objectives.
- Provide individualize education to students with autism base on the science of apply behavior analysis.
- Implement IEP accommodations through modification of curriculum and classroom environment for students with moderate disabilities in a variety of inclusion classes.
- Certify to provide crisis intervention (CPI).
- Observe and supervise children grades k-12 at all times.
- Organize and build theatre curriculum for k-12 and post secondary classrooms.
- Experience instructing CPR in high schools to both students and staff members.
- Support, guide and teach Pre-K students who are intellectually and physically disable.
- Use CPI training to avoid crisis and ensure the safety of students and staff.
- Assist ESL teacher with student files and make sure all modifications are provided to the teachers.
- Participate in regularly schedule education training programs, and CPR or first-aid courses to maintain require credentials.
- Assist special needs Pre-K to 6th grade students (including English language learners) in all academic areas.
- Assist in the creation of PowerPoint presentations, help set up for lectures, and maintain confidential grade spreadsheets.
- Collect, summarize, and report data relate to skill acquisition and behavior reduction treatment plans for children with autism.
Instructional aide skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Instructional Aides are proficient in Work Ethic, CPR, and Math. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Interpersonal skills, and Patience.
We break down the percentage of Instructional Aides that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Work Ethic, 12%
Provide daily living skills, transportation, maintain a positive/professional work ethic at all times to adults.
- CPR, 9%
Obtained Paraprofessional training and CPR Certification.
- Math, 9%
Incorporated self selected reading and math materials to increase student learning opportunities.
- Instructional Materials, 6%
Worked with students with multiple disabilities Prepared and set up instructional materials for classes Conducted learning activities with individual students
- Mathematics, 6%
Provided implementation of educational lesson of mathematics and science.
- Direct Supervision, 6%
Provide direct instruction and construct instructional activities for students under direct supervision of teacher.
Most instructional aides use their skills in "work ethic," "cpr," and "math" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential instructional aide responsibilities here:
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for an instructional aide to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "teacher assistants need to be clear and concise in discussing student progress with teachers and parents." Additionally, an instructional aide resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "assisted student with providing accommodations to class assignments and facilitated teacher and family daily communications. "
Interpersonal skills. Many instructional aide 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 an instructional aide will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways instructional aide responsibilities rely on interpersonal skills: "follow education plan using writing, art, and interpersonal coaching to supplement instruction and provide accountability. "
Patience. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of instructional aides is patience. This skill is critical to many everyday instructional aide duties, as "working with students of different abilities and backgrounds may be difficult." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "displayed enthusiasm and patience with children to demonstrate a fun learning environment. "
Resourcefulness. A big part of what instructional aides do relies on "resourcefulness." You can see how essential it is to instructional aide responsibilities because "teacher assistants must find ways to explain information to students who have different learning styles." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical instructional aide tasks: "showed resourcefulness and teaching effectiveness in meeting the needs of individuals with limited english language proficiency as well as learning disabilities. "
The three companies that hire the most instructional aides are:
- Nelnet138 instructional aides jobs
- KIPP Northern California Public Schools28 instructional aides jobs
- ChanceLightâ„¢ Behavioral Health, Therapy & Education25 instructional aides jobs
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Compare different instructional aides
Instructional aide vs. Preschool teacher's assistant
Preschool teacher assistants, paid an average of $25K per year, must have skills in childcare and communication. This career requires a minimum of a high school diploma, though in some situations, a bachelor's degree may be needed. Those who choose this career path interact with children, prepare snacks, teach things like color and shapes, help children to get dressed and/or change diapers, and evaluate children's development and physical wellness.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, instructional aide responsibilities require skills like "work ethic," "math," "instructional materials," and "mathematics." Meanwhile a typical preschool teacher's assistant has skills in areas such as "open communication," "child development," "child care," and "compassion." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Preschool teacher's assistants really shine in the education industry with an average salary of $31,438. Comparatively, instructional aides tend to make the most money in the education industry with an average salary of $30,309.On average, preschool teacher's assistants reach similar levels of education than instructional aides. Preschool teacher's assistants are 2.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Instructional aide vs. Toddler assistant teacher
Toddler assistant teachers provide any help needed by lead teachers, usually in a daycare setting. They are responsible for looking after the needs of the children and assisting lead teachers with various tasks. They help guide students throughout the activities and ensure that they are safe at all times. Toddler assistant teachers should be familiar with the basic needs of a child and should be able to care for them. They often assist in feeding the kids, cleaning up after them, and in the conduct of class activities.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real instructional aide resumes. While instructional aide responsibilities can utilize skills like "work ethic," "math," "direct supervision," and "basic math," toddler assistant teachers use skills like "customer service," "child care," "child development," and "pre-k."
On average, toddler assistant teachers earn a lower salary than instructional aides. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, toddler assistant teachers earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $40,007. Whereas instructional aides have higher pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $30,309.toddler assistant teachers earn similar levels of education than instructional aides in general. They're 2.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Instructional aide vs. Classroom assistant
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.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from instructional aide resumes include skills like "work ethic," "math," "direct supervision," and "basic math," whereas a classroom assistant is more likely to list skills in "photocopying," "child care," "first aid training," and "language development. "
Classroom assistants earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $27,753. Instructional aides earn the highest pay from the education industry, with an average salary of $30,309.Most classroom assistants achieve a similar degree level compared to instructional aides. For example, they're 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Instructional aide vs. Child care teacher
A child care teacher is responsible for educating young learners, observing their personal and social behaviors. They also prepare engaging and fun activities for the children, ensuring their safety and security. Child care teachers assist the children's daily activities and provide progress reports and updates to the children's parents for any concerns and support needed. They also maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the facilities by adhering to the safety standards and protocols. A child care teacher must have excellent communication and organizational skills and implement learning methods that would fit the curriculum.
Types of instructional aide
Updated January 8, 2025
