Paraprofessional Education (486)

• Reinforce lessons by reviewing material with students one-on-one or in small groups
• Follow school and class rules to teach students proper behavior
• Help teachers with recordkeeping, such as taking attendance and calculating grades
• Get equipment or materials ready to help teachers prepare for lessons
• Supervise students outside of the classroom, such as between classes, during lunch and recess, and on field trips
• Assist teachers in the classroom
• Provide administrative support for teaching
• Help students understand and complete assignments
• Work with students who have special needs
• Assist in managing the classroom
• Provide instructional assistance in a library

• Communication skills. Teacher assistants need to be clear and concise in discussing student progress with teachers and parents.
• Interpersonal skills. Teacher assistants must be able to develop relationships with a variety of people, including teachers, students, parents, and administrators.
• Patience. Working with students of different abilities and backgrounds may be difficult. Teacher assistants must be understanding with students.
• Resourcefulness. Teacher assistants must find ways to explain information to students who have different learning styles.

In addition to general and technical education courses, the student will participate in field placements in the public schools. The degree will also provide a pathway to baccalaureate level education, if the candidate desires. Teacher assistants may become a kindergarten and elementary school teacher, middle school teacher, high school teacher, or special education teacher upon obtaining additional education, training, and a license or certification.

This program is being offered online through Canvas. Students in the program will meet the course objectives by participating in various learning activities specifically designed for an online environment. These activities include but are not limited to the following: discussion boards, videos, video lectures, chapter writing assignments, work projects, research papers, and group exercises. Online quizzes and exams may be used as appropriate to the course objectives and online supplemental instruction. Course content will be laid out in Canvas using Weekly Modules. Students will have access to faculty through email and phone calls. A minimum of 4 Zoom meetings will be held.

Employment of teacher assistants is projected to grow 9 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 136,400 openings for teacher assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Quick Facts: Teacher Assistants

After obtaining their Paraprofessional degree, graduates may wish to move forward with a bachelor's degree in an educational field. Graduates could also decide to work in PK-Grade 12 classrooms in a school district. After working in several grades, graduates could determine the grade level they wish to teach. They could then move toward obtaining a bachelor's degree in education.