Teaching assistants are considered the backbone of the classroom as they handle a variety of work and responsibilities. Students learn at their own pace; some need more attention and assistance during their activities than others. A TA is responsible for their students’ progress, devising lesson plans, and holding one-to-one meetings to maintain a positive and inclusive environment. In order to effectively do their duty, a TA must possess excellent quality traits and characteristics.
If you wish to become one, here are some qualities that you must possess:
Dedication and Passion
The teaching assistant career is often underappreciated but the actual truth is that TAs have more responsibilities compared to teachers. To become one, a person must have a passion for teaching, helping children, and a dedicated mindset.
A TA’s job is difficult sometimes as they have to deal with miscellaneous tasks every day; only a passionate teacher can effectively deal with these changing circumstances. Other than that, TAs are role models for children; teaching them meaningful life lessons through classroom activities can make a lasting impression on their lives.
Excellent Communication
Another noteworthy sign of good teaching assistants is that they are excellent at verbal and non-verbal communication. Whether dealing with SEN or other children, clear and effective communication is the key because, unfortunately, one approach fits all doesn’t work, and communication style must be changed accordingly.
So, when assisting with lesson content or any other task, a good TA has the ability to build a connection and explain things in a concise yet easier way, according to the child they talk to. In doing so, a trustworthy connection is built between you and your children.
Adaptability
As mentioned before, a teaching assistant may deal with quickly changing aspects and circumstances daily. A TA quickly adapts to different situations and comes up with several ways to fulfil the individualised needs and preferences of children. Moreover, a one-size-fits-all approach is a misconstrued concept and a good TA understands that each student is unique, has a different learning style and must be catered to accordingly.
Team-Work
Working and communicating with a team is a must-have trait for a teaching assistant. In your TA career, sometimes you work with a group of teachers, especially when working in a SEND environment. Therefore, effective teamwork is important, as is sharing new ideas and encouraging and supporting each other to foster a growing and learning environment.
Organisational and Management Skills
With different responsibilities each day, TAs have to prepare lesson plans, assist students with their activities, observe their progress throughout and much more. They must plan everything beforehand and if they fail to do so, they might fall behind and lose track of time and student progress. Therefore, an excellent teaching assistant will always organise learning material ahead of time and be organised in their work.
Decision-Making Skills
Sometimes things might not go as planned and might go sideways, especially when burdened with numerous tasks. In such an event, making smart and quick decisions according to the situation is crucial. If faced with some unusual situation, a good TA will make an instant decision to make the most of it.
Positive Attitude
A teaching assistant’s role can be taxing and it may be difficult to remain positive throughout. Regardless of the challenges, a good TA will always maintain a positive and approachable attitude with students and staff. It is imperative because children tend to copy and learn a lot from others in their school environment; therefore, teaching assistants must remain positive, inspire students, and teach them to face challenging circumstances efficiently.
Final Thoughts
Teaching assistants play a crucial role in supporting children in an educational setting. Their responsibilities vary from day to day and may include observing students, assisting them with their activities, recording their progress, and motivating them whenever needed. However, becoming a TA is not for everyone and to become one takes more than just a qualification. If you are someone who is considering pursuing this career, we have mentioned some of the greatest teaching assistant qualities you may certainly need.
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