What does a learning assistant do?
A learning assistant is often also known as a student assistant who is tasked with different school divisions. They are responsible for preparing and writing weekly accomplishment reports, taking down notes in a training program or meeting, as well as managing discussions and interacting with students and school officials if there are other activities to be done. Meaning, this career is for someone who has a sufficient communication skill, research-oriented and actively participates in a lot of discussions.
Learning assistant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real learning assistant resumes:
- Lead discussion sections for students to understand concepts including introductory quantum theory and statistical thermodynamics as well as their applications.
- Tutor students in calculus, general chemistry and biochemistry
- Tutor students in algebra, trigonometry, life-science base calculus, chemistry and basic genetics
- Educate undergraduate students on math and computer technology especially on using the computer software to do their math assignments
- Used blackboard to input student grades.
- Grade students' homework and answer questions of algorithms
- Assist students with assignments and grade SLA homework assignments.
- Create a lesson plan and used Powerpoint to give a presentation
- Provide oversight of academic updates to course syllabus and lesson plans.
- Help professors teach courses in pre-calculus, calculus, analysis, and differential equations
- Participate in weekly TA meetings to incorporate proficient teaching methods in the classroom.
- Facilitate the learning of college level algebra, pre-calculus on campus and ESL (Spanish/English) outside of campus.
- Maintain confidentiality about all aspects of the SLA program, as well as a safe and educational environment for learning.
- Develop distance learning history classes by creating lecture notes, online quizzes, PowerPoint presentations, and analytical discussion questions.
- Facilitate 30 minute tutorial one-on-one sessions, math conferences.
Learning assistant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Learning Assistants are proficient in Mathematics, Math, and Student Learning. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Interpersonal skills, and Patience.
We break down the percentage of Learning Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Mathematics, 13%
Guide the mathematical studies of students in a variety of undergraduate courses including Multivariate Calculus and Business Mathematics
- Math, 9%
Facilitated conferences to assist students learning math materials on Linear Algebra.
- Student Learning, 9%
Facilitated student learning by assisting professor in laboratory lectures and working with individual students.
- Professional Development, 6%
Provided international professional development using Video-Conferencing.
- Academic Support, 6%
Provided academic support to first-year students to help cultivate strong academic habits through academic coaching.
- Computer Lab, 6%
Participated in meetings in university about problem solving and improving the computer lab.
Most learning assistants use their skills in "mathematics," "math," and "student learning" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential learning assistant responsibilities here:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a learning assistant to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what learning assistants do because "teacher assistants need to be clear and concise in discussing student progress with teachers and parents." Additionally, a learning assistant resume shows how learning assistants use communication skills: "mentored student athletes and modeled appropriate student behavior with emphases on communication, study skills, time management, and motivation"
Interpersonal skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling learning 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 a learning assistant resume, here's how learning assistants can utilize interpersonal skills in their job responsibilities: "facilitated the learning process (literacy) and interpersonal relations, by mentoring students in after-school program. "
Patience. learning assistants are also known for patience, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to learning assistant responsibilities, because "working with students of different abilities and backgrounds may be difficult." A learning assistant resume example shows how patience is used in the workplace: "demonstrate patience and confidence to effectively communicate with students with special needs and diverse cultural backgrounds. "
The three companies that hire the most learning assistants are:
- PSEA9 learning assistants jobs
- Bay College
4 learning assistants jobs
- Adtalem Global Education2 learning assistants jobs
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Learning assistant vs. Assistant language teacher
An assistant language teacher is in charge of performing support tasks for language teachers. Their responsibilities include preparing teaching and coursework materials, assessing student performance, taking attendance records, and holding lectures as a substitute for the teacher. They may also help students who are having trouble following and adjusting to the lessons, assisting them as needed. Above all, an assistant language teacher must monitor the students' progress, all while maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment for everyone.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between learning assistants and assistant language teacher. For instance, learning assistant responsibilities require skills such as "math," "student learning," "professional development," and "academic support." Whereas a assistant language teacher is skilled in "cpr," "classroom management," "english-language," and "classroom environment." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Assistant language teachers tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $31,308. In contrast, learning assistants make the biggest average salary, $31,482, in the education industry.On average, assistant language teachers reach similar levels of education than learning assistants. Assistant language teachers are 1.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Learning assistant vs. Assistant daycare teacher
An assistant daycare teacher is responsible for performing support tasks in a daycare center. Most of the duties primarily revolve around maintaining a safe and healthy environment for children, preparing meals and learning materials, assisting children during bathroom or hygiene-related activities, and keeping the classroom clean and sanitized. Furthermore, there are instances when an assistant daycare teacher must come up with recreational activities, maintain student records, and help children improve their motor skills and basic knowledge in concepts such as recognizing the alphabet or coloring.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real learning assistant resumes. While learning assistant responsibilities can utilize skills like "mathematics," "math," "student learning," and "professional development," assistant daycare teachers use skills like "child care," "kids," "cpr," and "child development."
In general, assistant daycare teachers achieve lower levels of education than learning assistants. They're 5.8% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Learning 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.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, learning assistants are more likely to have skills like "math," "student learning," "computer lab," and "general chemistry." But a school psychologist assistant is more likely to have skills like "cpr," "kids," "age children," and "immunization."
School psychologist assistants earn the highest salary when working in the education industry, where they receive an average salary of $30,911. Comparatively, learning assistants have the highest earning potential in the education industry, with an average salary of $31,482.Most school psychologist assistants achieve a similar degree level compared to learning assistants. For example, they're 1.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Learning assistant vs. Special education instructional assistant
Special education instructional assistant does work under the supervision of the principal and other administrative workers, especially in school and college. They prepare the material aids which are helping to teach in the classroom. Moreover, they are more inclined upon the progress of students. Conducting the exams, preparing the notes, preparing the result and giving the instruction to the students about their life career and course books etc are the main duties of the special education instructional assistant. They preach, instruct, command and come up with the idea about making the school environment more friendly and viable.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between learning assistants and special education instructional assistants, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a learning assistant might have more use for skills like "student learning," "professional development," "computer lab," and "general chemistry." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of special education instructional assistants require skills like "cpr," "instructional materials," "autism," and "behavior management. "
In general, special education instructional assistants earn the most working in the education industry, with an average salary of $33,416. The highest-paying industry for a learning assistant is the education industry.The average resume of special education instructional assistants showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to learning assistants. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.3%.Types of learning assistant
Updated January 8, 2025











