25-9043.00

Teaching Assistants, Special Education

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.

Career Cluster:Education
Job Family:Educational Instruction and Library
Job Zone:Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
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Technology Tools

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Key Tasks

  • 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.
  • Enforce administration policies and rules governing students.
  • Employ special educational strategies or techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, or memory.
  • 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.
  • Present subject matter to students under the direction and guidance of teachers, using lectures, discussions, supervised role-playing methods, or by reading aloud.
  • Prepare classrooms with a variety of materials or resources for children to explore, manipulate, or use in learning activities or imaginative play.
  • Instruct students in daily living skills required for independent maintenance and self-sufficiency, such as hygiene, safety, or food preparation.
  • Grade homework and tests, and compute and record results, using answer sheets or electronic marking devices.
  • Discuss assigned duties with classroom teachers to coordinate instructional efforts.
  • Assist in bus loading and unloading.
  • Distribute teaching materials, such as textbooks, workbooks, papers, and pencils, to students.
  • Organize and supervise games and other recreational activities to promote physical, mental, and social development.
  • Take class attendance and maintain attendance records.
  • Maintain computers in classrooms and laboratories, and assist students with hardware and software use.
  • Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.
  • Prepare lesson outlines and plans in assigned subject areas and submit outlines to teachers for review.
  • Participate in teacher-parent conferences regarding students' progress or problems.
  • Clean classrooms.
  • Assist librarians in school libraries.
  • Organize and label materials and display students' work in a manner appropriate for their eye levels and perceptual skills.
  • Prepare lesson materials, bulletin board displays, exhibits, equipment, and demonstrations.
  • Requisition and stock teaching materials and supplies.
  • Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.
  • Laminate teaching materials to increase their durability under repeated use.

Skills

Active Listening
72%
Speaking
69%
Social Perceptiveness
69%
Reading Comprehension
66%
Service Orientation
66%
Monitoring
66%
Learning Strategies
66%
Instructing
63%
Critical Thinking
60%
Coordination
53%
Persuasion
53%
Writing
53%
Active Learning
50%
Complex Problem Solving
50%
Negotiation
47%
Judgment and Decision Making
47%
Time Management
44%
Management of Personnel Resources
35%
Systems Analysis
31%
Systems Evaluation
31%
Mathematics
22%
Operations Monitoring
16%
Programming
16%
Technology Design
13%
Management of Material Resources
10%
Science
10%
Operation and Control
10%
Equipment Selection
10%
Quality Control Analysis
10%
Operations Analysis
10%
Management of Financial Resources
3%
Equipment Maintenance
3%
Troubleshooting
0%
Repairing
0%
Installation
0%

Knowledge

English Language
63%
Psychology
59%
Education and Training
47%
Customer and Personal Service
46%
Mathematics
42%
History and Archeology
39%
Public Safety and Security
39%
Geography
36%
Communications and Media
34%
Sociology and Anthropology
34%
Therapy and Counseling
34%
Philosophy and Theology
33%
Medicine and Dentistry
31%
Computers and Electronics
31%
Administrative
29%
Administration and Management
29%
Law and Government
25%
Fine Arts
23%
Personnel and Human Resources
22%
Chemistry
22%
Biology
19%
Transportation
17%
Telecommunications
17%
Economics and Accounting
15%
Foreign Language
11%
Design
10%
Engineering and Technology
9%
Physics
9%
Production and Processing
8%
Food Production
7%
Sales and Marketing
7%
Mechanical
5%
Building and Construction
5%

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Abilities

Oral Expression
75%
Oral Comprehension
75%
Speech Clarity
69%
Problem Sensitivity
69%
Speech Recognition
69%
Near Vision
66%
Written Comprehension
66%
Deductive Reasoning
60%
Fluency of Ideas
56%
Information Ordering
56%
Written Expression
56%
Auditory Attention
53%
Inductive Reasoning
53%
Selective Attention
53%
Category Flexibility
50%
Time Sharing
50%
Originality
50%
Far Vision
47%
Perceptual Speed
44%
Flexibility of Closure
44%
Speed of Closure
41%
Memorization
41%
Trunk Strength
38%
Hearing Sensitivity
35%
Visualization
31%
Visual Color Discrimination
31%
Mathematical Reasoning
28%
Stamina
28%
Static Strength
28%
Number Facility
28%
Wrist-Finger Speed
25%
Gross Body Coordination
25%
Extent Flexibility
22%
Multilimb Coordination
22%
Gross Body Equilibrium
22%
Dynamic Strength
22%
Explosive Strength
16%
Sound Localization
13%
Manual Dexterity
13%
Reaction Time
10%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
10%
Finger Dexterity
10%
Peripheral Vision
6%
Response Orientation
6%
Speed of Limb Movement
3%
Depth Perception
3%
Spatial Orientation
3%
Control Precision
3%
Glare Sensitivity
3%
Night Vision
0%
Rate Control
0%
Dynamic Flexibility
0%

Work Activities

Getting Information
84%
Assisting and Caring for Others
77%
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
72%
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
70%
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
68%
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
66%
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
65%
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
65%
Coaching and Developing Others
64%
Training and Teaching Others
61%
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
59%
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
57%
Documenting/Recording Information
56%
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
55%
Thinking Creatively
54%
Working with Computers
53%
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
50%
Developing Objectives and Strategies
50%
Developing and Building Teams
50%
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
49%
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
49%
Scheduling Work and Activities
45%
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
45%
Processing Information
45%
Performing General Physical Activities
43%
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
40%
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
39%
Analyzing Data or Information
37%
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
34%
Communicating with People Outside the Organization
32%
Handling and Moving Objects
30%
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
30%
Monitoring and Controlling Resources
22%
Performing Administrative Activities
22%
Staffing Organizational Units
20%
Selling or Influencing Others
18%
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
17%
Controlling Machines and Processes
16%
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
13%
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
12%
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
9%

Work Context

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

97%

Physical Proximity

To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?

97%

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

87%

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?

84%

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

83%

Frequency of Decision Making

How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

72%

E-Mail

How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?

67%

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

67%

Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities

How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?

65%

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

65%

Conflict Situations

How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?

62%

Spend Time Standing

How much does this job require standing?

62%

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

58%

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

57%

Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?

53%

Exposed to Disease or Infections

How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?

53%

Health and Safety of Other Workers

How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

53%

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions

How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

52%

Time Pressure

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

52%

Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People

How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?

49%

Consequence of Error

How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?

46%

Deal With External Customers or the Public in General

How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?

41%

Spend Time Walking or Running

How much does this job require walking or running?

40%

Spend Time Sitting

How much does this job require sitting?

39%

Outdoors, Under Cover

How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?

32%

Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers

How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?

31%

Written Letters and Memos

How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?

31%

Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People

How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?

30%

Duration of Typical Work Week

Number of hours typically worked in one week.

30%

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

28%

Telephone Conversations

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

26%

Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures

How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?

24%

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

How much does this job require making repetitive motions?

24%

Public Speaking

How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?

23%

Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling

How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?

23%

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?

22%

Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body

How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?

22%

Level of Competition

To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?

20%

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?

19%

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

18%

Exposed to Contaminants

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

15%

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment

How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?

13%

Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?

9%

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?

8%

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?

7%

Work Schedules

How regular are the work schedules for this job?

7%

Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions

How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?

5%

Exposed to High Places

How often does this job require exposure to high places?

3%

Degree of Automation

How automated is the job?

2%

Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance

How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?

2%

Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles

How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?

1%

Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection

How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?

1%

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?

0%

Exposed to Radiation

How often does this job require exposure to radiation?

0%

Exposed to Whole Body Vibration

How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?

0%

In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment

How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?

0%

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)

0%

Education

Bachelor's degree

0%

High school diploma or equivalent

0%

Some college, no degree

0%

Interests

Social

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

99

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum

53

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f

33

Artistic

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,

28

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t

25

Enterprising

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis

23

Work Styles

Cooperation
90%
Dependability
88%
Empathy
86%
Optimism
83%
Social Orientation
78%
Self-Control
73%
Integrity
70%
Stress Tolerance
68%
Perseverance
66%
Sincerity
66%
Attention to Detail
60%
Adaptability
54%
Cautiousness
50%
Initiative
47%
Humility
45%
Tolerance for Ambiguity
43%
Innovation
37%
Self-Confidence
30%
Achievement Orientation
29%
Intellectual Curiosity
19%
Leadership Orientation
8%

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