What does an instructional assistant do?
An instructional assistant's role is to assist teachers and faculty members by performing various tasks. Their responsibilities will involve managing and monitoring the classroom environment, crafting visual aids and informative presentations, preparing laboratories and equipment, grading papers, recording data, and organizing schedules. An instructional assistant may also teach short courses when a teacher is not around, and provide tutorial sessions to small groups. Furthermore, they may also perform administrative tasks such as producing progress reports and necessary documentation, taking attendance, and responding to calls and correspondence.
Instructional assistant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real instructional assistant resumes:
- Assist teachers in the classroom environment for Pre-K-6 students with class materials, photocopying, correcting papers, clerical duties etc.
- Substitute for Pre-K through 5th grade.
- Assist lead teacher in a certify Montessori program.
- Assist students in grades from kindergarten to high school.
- Administer tests to determine if student continues in ESOL program.
- Provide training skills to students to administer CPR safely and accurately.
- Provide learning assistance for infants, toddlers, and pre-k students.
- Work in a kindergarten classroom assisting students with special needs one on one.
- Learned about elementary Montessori, and decide to pursue this as a career!
- Programme various adaptive equipment, (switches, devices, touch screens, etc . )
- Substitute para for long term and short term assignments working with special education students in public charter schools
- Increase students with autism, and special needs to participate in different programs inside and outside the classroom.
- Assist the lead instructor with CPR classes by performing clerical duties including registering students and completing the certification paperwork.
- Assist elementary students with basic math homework.
- Coordinate with all Pre-Kindergarten teachers to ensure the classrooms are applying the same content and rigor across the grade level.
Instructional assistant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Instructional Assistants are proficient in CPR, Math, and Instructional Materials. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Interpersonal skills, and Patience.
We break down the percentage of Instructional Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- CPR, 17%
Trained in Discreet trials, sign language, CPR certified, Crisis Prevention Interventions certified, and Handle with Care trained.
- Math, 8%
Prepared Scholastic Math lessons for designated students and provided individualized and group support within the classroom.
- Instructional Materials, 7%
Prepared instructional materials and visual aids while working individually with children needing assistance and children with physical disabilities.
- Mathematics, 7%
Provided tutoring assistance for students PreK-12 with academic challenges or those seeking added proficiency in mathematics and reading.
- Behavioral Issues, 7%
Worked directly with Special Education Head Teacher to facilitate educational development for students with various learning disabilities and behavioral issues.
- Instructional Support, 5%
Provided instructional support for classroom teachers in classroom instruction that reinforced learning and classroom management.
Most instructional assistants use their skills in "cpr," "math," and "instructional materials" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential instructional assistant responsibilities here:
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an instructional assistant to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "teacher assistants need to be clear and concise in discussing student progress with teachers and parents." Instructional assistants often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "facilitated communication skill development for students in a grade-level classroom environment. "
Interpersonal skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling instructional assistant duties is interpersonal skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "teacher assistants must be able to develop relationships with a variety of people, including teachers, students, parents, and administrators." According to an instructional assistant resume, here's how instructional assistants can utilize interpersonal skills in their job responsibilities: "trained and assisted students in behavior management; provided education regarding appropriate interpersonal actions; responded to discipline problems. "
Patience. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of instructional assistants is patience. This skill is critical to many everyday instructional assistant duties, as "working with students of different abilities and backgrounds may be difficult." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "create a classroom environment that presents students with challenging materials, high expectations and the guidance and patience to achieve them. "
Resourcefulness. For certain instructional assistant responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "resourcefulness." The day-to-day duties of an instructional assistant rely on this skill, as "teacher assistants must find ways to explain information to students who have different learning styles." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what instructional assistants do: "showed resourcefulness and teaching effectiveness in meeting the needs of students with limited english language proficiency as well as learning disabilities. "
The three companies that hire the most instructional assistants are:
- Grand Canyon University19 instructional assistants jobs
- Tolleson Union High School District16 instructional assistants jobs
- Township High School District 11315 instructional assistants jobs
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Compare different instructional assistants
Instructional assistant vs. Teacher internship
Teaching interns are individuals who assist teachers and educators in the classroom. The interns are instructed to fulfill the tasks set out and provided by the supervisors for them. They take part in meetings and jot down their minutes. It is part of their job to conduct research at the request of the supervisor. They make updates to social media platforms and make posts. Also, they create images to be used in posts through different social media platforms.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, instructional assistant responsibilities require skills like "cpr," "math," "behavioral issues," and "instructional support." Meanwhile a typical teacher internship has skills in areas such as "classroom management strategies," "learning styles," "parent-teacher conferences," and "physical education." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Teacher interns really shine in the education industry with an average salary of $47,436. Comparatively, instructional assistants tend to make the most money in the education industry with an average salary of $31,371.On average, teacher interns reach similar levels of education than instructional assistants. Teacher interns are 1.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Instructional 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.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real instructional assistant resumes. While instructional assistant responsibilities can utilize skills like "student performance," "professional development," "instructional assistance," and "public schools," education paraprofessionals use skills like "autism," "kindergarten," "para," and "cpi."
On average, education paraprofessionals earn a lower salary than instructional assistants. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, education paraprofessionals earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $31,602. Whereas instructional assistants have higher pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $31,371.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Education paraprofessionals tend to reach similar levels of education than instructional assistants. In fact, they're 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Instructional assistant 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.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an instructional assistant is likely to be skilled in "math," "behavioral issues," "instructional support," and "behavior management," while a typical toddler assistant teacher is skilled in "customer service," "child care," "child development," and "pre-k."
Toddler assistant teachers make a very good living in the finance industry with an average annual salary of $40,007. On the other hand, instructional assistants are paid the highest salary in the education industry, with average annual pay of $31,371.When it comes to education, toddler assistant teachers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to instructional assistants. In fact, they're 4.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Instructional assistant vs. School psychologist assistant
A school psychology assistant aids a psychologist in accessing new clients, registering them, and conducting research on behalf of the psychologist. They are not licensed as psychologists and thus cannot offer any advice or administer any form of treatment to the clients. Their duties and responsibilities include conducting tests and evaluations to determine the patient's needs.
Types of instructional assistant
Updated January 8, 2025
