Education & Library
Teaching Assistants, Special Education
Also called: Assistant Instructor, Co-Teacher, Educational Assistant, Paraeducator
US median pay
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not published
Job growth 2025–35
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Openings a year (US)
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Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher to provide academic, social, or life skills to students who have learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.
What they do day to day
- Provide assistance to students with special needs.
- Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification or positive reinforcement.
- Supervise students in classrooms, halls, cafeterias, school yards, and gymnasiums, or on field trips.
- Provide students with disabilities with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
- Carry out therapeutic regimens, such as behavior modification and personal development programs, under the supervision of special education instructors, psychologists, or speech-language pathologists.
- Tutor and assist children individually or in small groups to help them master assignments and to reinforce learning concepts presented by teachers.
- Employ special educational strategies or techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, or memory.
- Enforce administration policies and rules governing students.
- Observe students' performance, and record relevant data to assess progress.
- Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Social Perceptiveness3.8/5
- Service Orientation3.6/5
- Instructing3.5/5
- Persuasion3.1/5
- Coordination3.1/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.0/5
- Negotiation2.9/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9/5
Knowledge
- English Language3.5/5
- Psychology3.4/5
- Education and Training2.9/5
- Customer and Personal Service2.8/5
- Mathematics2.7/5
- Public Safety and Security2.6/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree39%
- High school diploma25%
- Some college18%
Who this job suits
Mostly Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Artistic
Creating, designing and self-expression
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.