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What does a teacher associate do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Diana Jones
What does a teacher associate do

A teacher associate is responsible for assisting the teacher in classroom operations and providing teaching support for the students. Teacher associates develop learning materials according to the instructions of the headteachers, helping them to track students' progress and observing class behaviors. They also take class responsibility if the teacher is away, ensuring to keep activity records and attendance for reference. A teacher associate must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in handling students' difficulties and working with the teacher to develop techniques to address those challenges.

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Teacher associate responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real teacher associate resumes:

  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Maintain first aid and CPR status as required by licensing.
  • Work as a substitute teacher in grades Pre-K to 4th grade
  • Produce and maintain mathematics club website, in addition to attending meetings.
  • Develop and implement lesson plans in accordance with the ISBE guidelines and SpecialEducation IEP's.
  • Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one and more subjects such as English, mathematics and science.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations summarizing research projects and present at national conferences.
  • Develop IEP objectives, functional behavior assessments, and systematic instructional plans to ensure quality education
  • Develop innovative PowerPoint presentations used to incorporate creative lessons for daily teaching consistent with teaching multiple grade levels at once.
  • Develop and implement age-appropriate curriculum for toddler program, ensuring that appropriate opportunities are provided in order to maximize learning potential.
  • Assist in NAEYC accreditation with individualize portfolios.

Teacher associate skills and personality traits

We calculated that 28% of Teacher Associates are proficient in Child Care, Classroom Management, and CPR. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Communication skills, and Patience.

We break down the percentage of Teacher Associates that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Child Care, 28%

    Provide Care and educational activities for 3-4 year old GSRP children and child care programs.

  • Classroom Management, 14%

    Collaborated with mentor teachers daily on curriculum planning, classroom management, and other classroom responsibilities.

  • CPR, 13%

    Acted as Substitute teacher in Preschool classes of 12 students, aged 4-5 years Accomplishments CPR Certification for two years

  • Child Development, 13%

    Key holder, opened facility, supervised classrooms focusing on early child development curriculum.

  • Cleanliness, 5%

    Maintain the classroom's cleanliness.

  • IEP, 4%

    Collaborated with general education teachers to implement IEP modifications 4.

Most teacher associates use their skills in "child care," "classroom management," and "cpr" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential teacher associate responsibilities here:

Interpersonal skills. The most essential soft skill for a teacher associate 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 teacher associate resume shows how their duties depend on interpersonal skills: "lead boys grades 3-5 in developing interpersonal skills, intellectual curiosity and physical health kenwood high school 501 stemmers run rd. "

Communication skills. Many teacher associate duties rely on communication skills. "teacher assistants need to be clear and concise in discussing student progress with teachers and parents.," so a teacher associate will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways teacher associate responsibilities rely on communication skills: "team work communication with parents, including daily sheets and portfolios cpr and first aid certification special trainings and certifications"

Patience. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of teacher associates is patience. This skill is critical to many everyday teacher associate duties, as "working with students of different abilities and backgrounds may be difficult." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "demonstrated patience with children while helping children with phonics, potty training, and more"

Most common teacher associate skills

The three companies that hire the most teacher associates are:

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Compare different teacher associates

Teacher associate 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.

The annual salary of assistant language teachers is $8,145 lower than the average salary of teacher associates.Even though teacher associates and assistant language teachers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require classroom management, cpr, and iep in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, teacher associate responsibilities require skills like "child care," "child development," "cleanliness," and "math." Meanwhile a typical assistant language teacher has skills in areas such as "english-language," "language curriculum," "elementary schools," and "direct care." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Assistant language teachers earn the highest salaries when working in the manufacturing industry, with an average yearly salary of $31,308. On the other hand, teacher associates are paid more in the health care industry with an average salary of $32,745.On average, assistant language teachers reach similar levels of education than teacher associates. Assistant language teachers are 2.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Teacher associate vs. Substitute school teacher

A substitute teacher is liable for providing learning instruction and managing classroom settings in the absence of the regular teacher. They are responsible for checking student attendance, explaining homework, and maintaining classroom cleanliness. They generally report to the principal at the school to which they are assigned. They plan and prepare lesson plans and teach students a variety of subjects, including English, science, and mathematics. Moreover, they ensure that the students are disciplined, and talk with parents and discuss the progress.

On average, substitute school teachers earn a $792 lower salary than teacher associates a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Teacher associates and substitute school teachers both require similar skills like "classroom management," "iep," and "math" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real teacher associate resumes. While teacher associate responsibilities can utilize skills like "child care," "cpr," "child development," and "cleanliness," substitute school teachers use skills like "student learning," "substitute teaching," "after-school program," and "public schools."

On average, substitute school teachers earn a lower salary than teacher associates. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, substitute school teachers earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $37,999. Whereas teacher associates have higher pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $32,745.In general, substitute school teachers achieve higher levels of education than teacher associates. They're 5.3% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for teacher associates 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.

Teacher associate vs. Math and science teacher

Math and Science Teachers are responsible for imparting knowledge and developing a student's skills in mathematics and science. Their duties include creating lessons, producing learning materials, sourcing supplies, and grading examinations and quizzes. They develop student progress reports, provide constructive feedback, and work with parents to inform a student's educational development. Math and Science Teachers must ensure awareness of special educational needs and health and safety regulations related to subject teachings.

On average, math and science teachers earn higher salaries than teacher associates, with a $12,582 difference per year.By looking over several teacher associates and math and science teachers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "classroom management," "iep," and "math." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from teacher associate resumes include skills like "child care," "cpr," "child development," and "cleanliness," whereas a math and science teacher is more likely to list skills in "chemistry," "geometry," "student learning," and "science curriculum. "

Math and science teachers make a very good living in the education industry with an average annual salary of $49,024. On the other hand, teacher associates are paid the highest salary in the health care industry, with average annual pay of $32,745.math and science teachers typically earn higher educational levels compared to teacher associates. Specifically, they're 14.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Teacher associate vs. Head start teacher

A head start teacher is responsible for organizing lectures and monitoring classroom operations for students with financial difficulties. Head start teachers have the same roles as regular teachers, such as preparing lesson plans, conducting assessments to test the students' knowledge, documenting their progress, and planning group activities to observe their personal and social behaviors. They also coordinate with the students' parents to share the child's difficulties and strategize methods to enhance capabilities. A head start teacher must have excellent communication skills, especially in attending to students for their needs and encouraging them to reach their maximum potentials.

Head start teachers typically earn lower pay than teacher associates. On average, head start teachers earn a $142 lower salary per year.While their salaries may vary, teacher associates and head start teachers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "child care," "classroom management," and "cpr. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between teacher associates and head start teachers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a teacher associate might have more use for skills like "cleanliness," "mathematics," "language arts," and "behavior management." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of head start teachers require skills like "kids," "help support," "performance standards," and "professional development. "

In general, head start teachers earn the most working in the education industry, with an average salary of $38,680. The highest-paying industry for a teacher associate is the health care industry.In general, head start teachers hold similar degree levels compared to teacher associates. Head start teachers are 2.0% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of teacher associate

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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