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Teacher assistant vs assistant principal

The differences between teacher assistants and assistant principals can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an assistant principal has an average salary of $73,607, which is higher than the $27,103 average annual salary of a teacher assistant.

The top three skills for a teacher assistant include CPR, child care and mathematics. The most important skills for an assistant principal are classroom management, curriculum development, and professional development.

Teacher assistant vs assistant principal overview

Teacher AssistantAssistant Principal
Yearly salary$27,103$73,607
Hourly rate$13.03$35.39
Growth rate4%5%
Number of jobs77,35842,186
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age4447
Years of experience-4

What does a teacher assistant do?

Teacher assistants are responsible for aiding teachers in their needs inside the classroom. They help teachers prepare for lessons in class, set up equipment, distribute educational materials to students, and monitor the progress of the students. Teacher assistants also help in managing the children in the classroom, as well as providing the necessary assistance a child may need. This may include helping with the lessons by going table to table, assisting in writing exercises, and tutoring kids one-to-one. Teacher assistants are required to have patience, flexibility, and classroom management skills.

What does an assistant principal do?

An assistant principal is responsible for carrying out administrative support tasks in a school or similar establishment. Most of the duties involve producing reports and evaluations, attending meetings, overseeing daily school operations, monitoring classes and faculty performances, implementing school policies and regulations, and coordinating with the principal, school board, and other members of the institution. Furthermore, an assistant principal participates in devising plans and strategies to improve the school curriculum and organize various activities that will help students develop their skills and potential.

Teacher assistant vs assistant principal salary

Teacher assistants and assistant principals have different pay scales, as shown below.

Teacher AssistantAssistant Principal
Average salary$27,103$73,607
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $34,000Between $57,000 And $94,000
Highest paying CityCoventry, RIRedwood City, CA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandOregon
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyPace University
Best paying industryFinanceGovernment

Differences between teacher assistant and assistant principal education

There are a few differences between a teacher assistant and an assistant principal in terms of educational background:

Teacher AssistantAssistant Principal
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common majorPsychologyEducational Leadership
Most common collegeDuke UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Teacher assistant vs assistant principal demographics

Here are the differences between teacher assistants' and assistant principals' demographics:

Teacher AssistantAssistant Principal
Average age4447
Gender ratioMale, 21.5% Female, 78.5%Male, 47.4% Female, 52.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 21.1% Asian, 7.8% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Asian, 4.2% White, 64.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage6%16%

Differences between teacher assistant and assistant principal duties and responsibilities

Teacher assistant example responsibilities.

  • Lead chemistry recitations, prepare lessons, and coordinate student problem solving sessions.
  • Manage student supervision in various environments including classrooms, halls, cafeterias, schoolyards, gymnasiums, and field trip locations.
  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Help clients with ADL's.
  • Assist MH/MR clients with ADL's.
  • Substitute teacher grades from k-5.
  • Show more

Assistant principal example responsibilities.

  • Lead the NCA steering committee to assist with the school improvement process.
  • Create and manage projects that are research base to improve student success in the areas of mathematics for ESL students.
  • Manage special education department budget, student programming and IEP accommodations.
  • Conduct CSE and annual review meetings.
  • Plan, control, and direct the overall activities for students in grade Pre-K - 8th grade.
  • Coordinate RtI interventions and implementation at secondary level.
  • Show more

Teacher assistant vs assistant principal skills

Common teacher assistant skills
  • CPR, 18%
  • Child Care, 14%
  • Mathematics, 10%
  • Art Projects, 7%
  • Instructional Materials, 5%
  • Learning Environment, 5%
Common assistant principal skills
  • Classroom Management, 8%
  • Curriculum Development, 8%
  • Professional Development, 7%
  • Instructional Program, 5%
  • Math, 4%
  • Student Achievement, 4%

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