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What does a substitute teacher's assistant do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Diana Jones
What does a substitute teacher's assistant do

A substitute teacher's assistant, also called a substitute teacher aide, assists in student supervision during their playground and lunchroom activities. Substitute teacher assistants perform security functions within the academic institutions. These may include reviewing students' identification cards, monitoring the corridors, and assisting teachers in bulletin board preparations. The assistants help students to have a better understanding of classroom assignments as well as their completion. They are expected to provide proper English grammar and spelling, have the ability to work for and with school-aged children, and be equipped with excellent communication skills.

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Substitute teacher's assistant responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real substitute teacher's assistant resumes:

  • Lead tutoring sessions for undergraduate students in physics and organic chemistry
  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Assist students with pre-Calculus, pre-A.P.
  • Focuse on reading, writing, and mathematics.
  • Tutor medical and physical therapy students in anatomy (one on one or larger groups).
  • Assist students with algebra, geometry, and trigonometry questions, proctore exams, meet with students for tutoring appointments.
  • Cover classrooms for teachers who have IEP meetings, assist ESE teachers with classroom duties, work closely with special needs students
  • Prepare and facilitate weekly review materials for study sessions.
  • Moderate after school study hall sessions and recreational activities.
  • Teach anatomy students anatomical and physiological processes; administer practice exams.
  • Foster daily routines, display flexibility and provide individual learning program following IEP guidelines.
  • Facilitate underclassmen chemistry tutoring sessions and provide clear, effective instruction in general, organic, biological, and physical chemistry.
  • Help students in learning fundamentals of algebra, geometry and trigonometry.

Substitute teacher's assistant skills and personality traits

We calculated that 15% of Substitute Teacher's Assistants are proficient in CPR, Classroom Management, and Mathematics. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Communication skills, and Patience.

We break down the percentage of Substitute Teacher's Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • CPR, 15%

    Certified Paraprofessional for Special Needs students, Certified CPR.

  • Classroom Management, 13%

    Assisted grade-level teachers with areas of duplication, distribution, classroom management, student monitoring, and miscellaneous assignment.

  • Mathematics, 8%

    Assisted students with course material on the subjects of English, Mathematics, and History.

  • Classroom Environment, 7%

    Created several hands-on methods to control classroom environment and behavior to stimulate higher-order thinking skills.

  • Teacher Assistants, 7%

    Substituted for teacher assistants in elementary school settings.

  • K-12, 6%

    Experience in K-12 mainstream classrooms and special needs classrooms with students of all ages with varying physical and educational challenges.

"cpr," "classroom management," and "mathematics" are among the most common skills that substitute teacher's assistants use at work. You can find even more substitute teacher's assistant responsibilities below, including:

Interpersonal skills. The most essential soft skill for a substitute teacher's assistant to carry out their responsibilities is interpersonal skills. This skill is important for the role because "teacher assistants must be able to develop relationships with a variety of people, including teachers, students, parents, and administrators." Additionally, a substitute teacher's assistant resume shows how their duties depend on interpersonal skills: "attained valuable interpersonal experience with younger children, especial early childhood development. "

Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform substitute teacher's assistant duties is communication skills. Substitute teacher's assistants responsibilities require that "teacher assistants need to be clear and concise in discussing student progress with teachers and parents." Substitute teacher's assistants also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "demonstrated strongcommunication skills and ability to address various student learningstyles. "

Patience. substitute teacher's assistants are also known for patience, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to substitute teacher's assistant responsibilities, because "working with students of different abilities and backgrounds may be difficult." A substitute teacher's assistant resume example shows how patience is used in the workplace: "displayed patience and control when teaching students in mathematics up to calculus 3, chemistry, biology, and physics. "

See the full list of substitute teacher's assistant skills

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Compare different substitute teacher's assistants

Substitute teacher's assistant vs. Teacher/tutor

A teacher/tutor is primarily in charge of facilitating discussions and other learning activities for students. Their duties typically revolve around developing lesson plans and teaching materials, assessing the progress of students through quizzes and examinations, assisting students in areas they find difficult, and helping them develop their interpersonal and intrapersonal skills. Furthermore, as a teacher/tutor, it is essential to monitor the progress and behavior of students, all while maintaining a healthy and safe learning environment for them.

We looked at the average substitute teacher's assistant salary and compared it with the wages of a teacher/tutor. Generally speaking, teacher/tutors are paid $13,206 higher than substitute teacher's assistants per year.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both substitute teacher's assistant and teacher/tutor positions are skilled in classroom management, mathematics, and classroom environment.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a substitute teacher's assistant are more likely to require skills like "cpr," "teacher assistants," "elementary schools," and "iep." On the other hand, a job as a teacher/tutor requires skills like "math," "kids," "english language," and "study." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Teacher/tutors really shine in the education industry with an average salary of $43,459. Comparatively, substitute teacher's assistants tend to make the most money in the education industry with an average salary of $28,585.The education levels that teacher/tutors earn slightly differ from substitute teacher's assistants. In particular, teacher/tutors are 9.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a substitute teacher's assistant. Additionally, they're 1.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Substitute teacher's assistant vs. Day care teacher

A Daycare Teacher is an individual who educates young children and toddlers with lessons and daily activities. Daycare Teachers perform various tasks that include grading student assignments and worksheets, encouraging good manners and positive behavior, and stimulating students intellectually using different learning methods such as games and stories. They will communicate with parents and provide them updates on their children's progress. They will also identify behavioral issues and create strategies to resolve them.

On average, day care teachers earn a $1,482 higher salary than substitute teacher's assistants a year.A few skills overlap for substitute teacher's assistants and day care teachers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "cpr," "classroom management," and "mathematics. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, substitute teacher's assistant responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "teacher assistants," "k-12," "language arts," and "elementary schools." Meanwhile, a day care teacher has duties that require skills in areas such as "kids," "child care," "child development," and "parent-teacher conferences." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Average education levels between the two professions vary. Day care teachers tend to reach similar levels of education than substitute teacher's assistants. In fact, they're 3.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for substitute teacher's assistants in the next 3-5 years?

Dr. Diana JonesDr. Diana Jones LinkedIn profile

Chair, Department of Kinesiology, Anderson University

Technology in the next 3-5 years -- That is a tough question because technology is continually changing. However, I would say whatever learning system their school provides (e.g., Canvas, Blackboard, etc.), they should get to know. Also, the technology that involves making/editing videos of teaching would be necessary. The technique that includes exercise, fitness, sports such as heart rate monitors, Fitbits, etc. Finally, a technology that allows interactions between teachers and students and students and students.

Substitute teacher's assistant vs. Mentor teacher

Pre-K teachers play an essential role in the lives of young children ages three to five years old by developing and nurturing their interest in subjects appropriate for their age. They promote a creative learning environment and encourage social interactions among students while providing the fundamental educational foundation that will prepare them for a successful start to kindergarten. They are responsible for overseeing children during their mealtimes, reinforcing personal hygiene, and developing children's social skills. Pre-K teachers also plan curriculum and work with other school staff members.

On average, mentor teachers earn higher salaries than substitute teacher's assistants, with a $18,512 difference per year.substitute teacher's assistants and mentor teachers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "classroom management," "mathematics," and "classroom environment," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from substitute teacher's assistant resumes include skills like "cpr," "teacher assistants," "elementary schools," and "pre-k," whereas a mentor teacher is more likely to list skills in "curriculum development," "professional development," "professional growth," and "constructive feedback. "

Mentor teachers make a very good living in the education industry with an average annual salary of $48,634. On the other hand, substitute teacher's assistants are paid the highest salary in the education industry, with average annual pay of $28,585.mentor teachers typically earn higher educational levels compared to substitute teacher's assistants. Specifically, they're 18.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Substitute teacher's assistant vs. Pre-k teacher

Pre-k teachers average a higher salary than the annual salary of substitute teacher's assistants. The difference is about $10,552 per year.While both substitute teacher's assistants and pre-k teachers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like cpr, classroom management, and mathematics, the two careers vary in some skills.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A substitute teacher's assistant uses "teacher assistants," "k-12," "elementary schools," and "pre-k." pre-k teachers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "kids," "math," "help support," and "bilingual education. "The average resume of pre-k teachers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to substitute teacher's assistants. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 3.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.4%.

Types of substitute teacher's assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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