The duties of an assistant teacher involve helping with lessons that the teacher has prepared for the class. This might mean setting up equipment, preparing snacks, or preparing materials. When the teacher is teaching about art, for example, the teacher assistant helps with preparing paint, paintbrushes, getting the paper ready, and helping the children put paint aprons on.
Often, teachers assistants work with students requiring special education. Special education children are integrated into general classes and teacher assistants can devote one-on-one attention to children who are disabled or or have learning disabilities. Teachers assistant duties may involve helping the children with physical needs such as feeding and hygiene practices or helping children who need remedial help when English is not their native language. Teaching assistants observe and record children's academic progress for the teacher.
Teacher assistants help the teacher supervise the children in the classroom on the outdoor playground and when the early childhood education students are in the lunchroom. Teacher assistants accompany the children and their teachers on field trips. They may also be required to supervise children at recess time or before school begins in the morning when the children are outdoors playing.
One of the primary duties of a teachers assistant is to help children learn the material the teacher has provided for the class. This includes instructional reinforcement to students, working one-on-one with the children, or in small groups. Teacher assistants may be required to help children find information, listen to students read, review class lessons, or help them set up science displays. Teacher aides may also help children with computer use and educational software. programs.