What Makes an Effective Teaching Assistant?

Becoming a teaching assistant is a particularly rewarding and interesting possibility

It may be well worth your while to explore how to become an effective teaching assistant (also called a classroom assistant). If you pursue this career path, you’ll assist a teacher with his/her instructional tasks. You’ll help answer questions from pupils, grading papers, giving tutorials, and generally helping the teacher manage the classroom.

A teacher can sometimes feel overwhelmed by their workload. There are many things to do, many pupils to tend to, and countless tasks to plan and carry out. This is where you come in. You’ll make things a little easier for the teacher. By taking some of the tasks off their list, you help them become a more effective teacher.

You probably want to know how to be an effective teaching assistant

The gauge of an effective teacher is the same as that of a teaching assistant. You’ll know that you are doing an excellent job if your pupils are learning well. You should be able to help your pupils become happy and well-motivated.

• An effective teaching assistant is able to help the teacher manage the classroom efficiently.

If the teacher is busy with one group of pupils, you should be able to help the other pupils – assisting them with their lessons, answering their questions, and supervising their work.

• An effective teaching assistant should be able to anticipate what the teacher needs in terms of assistance.

When the teacher is in front giving a talk, you should be able to observe how the class behaves and see to it that everything goes smoothly. If one pupil shows little interest in the lecture or constantly interrupts with questions, you can help out by fulfilling his need for attention, answering his questions, and helping him focus. You help this particular pupil, and at the same time help the teacher and the entire class by minimising the distraction.

• An effective teaching assistant should be able to help the teacher prepare instructional materials.

These may include preparing or editing quizzes, lesson plans, handouts, and worksheets. You may also need to help review assignments and grade papers.

• An effective teaching assistant offers help without waiting to be asked.

Do not hesitate to put forward your assistance. You know your strengths. The teacher you will be helping will appreciate it if you offer your services for her use.

What characteristics should you cultivate so that you can be an effective teaching assistant?

• Learn how to interact effectively with kids and other adults.
• Learn how to be flexible. When you are in a classroom helping to deal with many pupils, many unexpected things can happen. You have to be ready to deal with the unexpected – able to think on your toes and stay calm and unruffled when unforeseen things occur.
• Be patient and understanding. Pupils tend to flourish in an environment that they see as friendly and nurturing.
• Learn to take the initiative. As a teaching assistant, you will generally work under the tutelage of the teacher. There will be occasions, though, when you will be required to make decisions on your own.
• Learn to deal with stress. Being cooped up in a classroom filled with students who are either too energetic or too laidback can be stressful. Learn to stay composed.
• Be tactful and sensitive. As a teaching assistant, you will have to practice diplomacy when dealing with your pupils, their parents, and other teachers and staff.

See yourself as part of a team. To be effective as educators, you and the rest of the faculty and staff of the school will have to work as a team. You will be sharing thoughts, generating ideas, implementing plans, and doing many things as a team. Each member has to appreciate the bigger picture and work towards harmonious and effective relationships.

Become an effective teaching assistant

You should find it easier to obtain an interview and indeed get a job if you either have a qualification, or are currently undertaking an accredited teaching assistant course. On the other hand, if you are already enjoying the job of teaching assistant, accredited training can help you become more effective and secure in your role.