What qualifications do you need to be a teaching assistant?

Question

What qualifications do you need to be a teaching assistant?

Answer 1

None and this is FACT.  I have a friend who is a teaching assistant and she got the job through WHO she knew and NOT what!

EDIT:  Why thumbs down?....my friend is not the only person I know who has gained such a position without certain qualifications!!

Answer 2

hi, a diploma in childcare and education will be a good qualification for you if you would like a career in childcare. Its the same as a NVQ level 3. Most primary schools or early year settings expect a level 2 or 3 qualification nowdays.

Answer 3

It completely depends on what state you live in and what their requirements are.  I know in Ohio, you only need a HS diploma and meet two of the following criteria...

1.  You pass the state paraprofessional exam

or

2.  You earn 15 credits per year (I think) by attending conferences on education.

Check with your local school district or state department of education, they will know!

Good luck :-)

Answer 4

It varies from state to state, but much the same as regular teachers in many cases....a B.A. in Ed and a certification.

Answer 5

This depends on what kind of a teaching assistant you mean.  Many Ph.D. students are automatically assigned to be teaching assistants (TAs) in undergraduate classes to pay for their educations.  Or if you mean at the elementary school level, you usually have to have a reasonable education yourself and be good at working with kids.

Answer 6

I've just got a job as a teaching assistant as i want to do my teaching certificate next year. I do have a degree (but in performing arts so not really relevant for a T.A) but I think I got the job on the merit of my previous experience working with young people.

If its something you really want to do outline your reasons and send a letter to all your local schools enquiring about posts. This is what I did and managed to get myself a job before the school even advertised.

Be warned though it is rubbish pay at the bottom. As you get more experience you can also get a qualification as a higher level Teaching assistant which will boost yor pay a little.

Just have the drive to do it, and if you dont have any experience in a school already volunteer for a couple of weeks to show yoor drive and give you some experiences to talk about :-)

Answer 7

Child, care learning and development.

Or early years education .

Answer 8

I started out as a volunteer at my daughter's school and have gained paid employment with them.  I am a Learning Support Assistant and have covered some hours as a Teaching Assistant.  Although I had no qualifications when I began I am looking towards doing my NVQ and have done other courses along the way.

Although I didn't have qualifications to begin with, I feel it is only right and fair that I do some training to make me better at my job.  I would point out that just because I volunteered for the school, they would not have offered me any paid work had they not seen potential and recognised a commitment from me.  The school I work for is a  really lovely place to be and everyone is very supportive.  I am hoping to work with some autistic children soon and am looking forward to the challenge that goes with that and also undertaking a course of study to make me more effective as a co-educator.