Training Opportunities for Teaching Assistants
Teachers' assistants play a vital role in the education process. Assistants can spend more individual time with children that need help. Budget cuts in all school districts have created a larger need for assistants, as the classroom size has increased by such a large percentage.
Teachers’ assistants can specialize in a certain area of teaching or go with a general approach. Teachers’ assistants are responsible for providing support to a classroom teacher in a clerical or instructional manner. Teachers’ assistants can provide one on one attention to students that need individual help. Assistants can specialize in special education, English as a second language, or general assisting. Training is crucial for teachers and teachers’ assistants to ensure they are informed on new technology and teaching methods.
All teaching assistants require a two-year education degree or pass a state certification test. The No Child Left Behind program changed these restrictions to improve the overall education system. School districts will offer training several times throughout the year for teachers and assistants. The training seminars are hosted by the State Board of Education.
There are several online training courses for assistants to receive additional training.
- Contact your school board office
to ask about free training opportunities and online training. - Contact the State Board of
Education about possible online or local training seminars. - Search the Internet using your
choice of search engine for free Teaching Assistants training and
materials. There are numerous websites that have training documents
available at your own pace. - Take advantage of any training
that is offered in your local area at a college or university.