The Discover a Career as a Teaching Assistant course introduces learners to the essential role of paraprofessionals in supporting student learning, classroom management, and inclusive education environments.
This course equips learners with a clear understanding of the teaching assistant role, including instructional support, behavior management, and student engagement strategies. Learners gain foundational knowledge to work effectively in diverse classroom environments and support both teachers and students in achieving educational success.
Module 1: Role of the Teaching Assistant and Professional Practice
Introduces paraprofessional responsibilities, classroom roles, professional conduct, and relationship-building with students, families, and staff.
Module 2: Communication and Collaboration in Education
Focuses on effective communication strategies, teamwork in educational settings, and creating positive interactions with diverse stakeholders.
Module 3: Supporting Diverse Learners in the Classroom
Explores strategies for meeting the needs of diverse learners, including students with disabilities, language differences, and varied learning styles.
Module 4: Instructional Support and One-on-One Student Assistance
Covers techniques for providing individualized academic support and reinforcing classroom instruction effectively.
Module 5: Classroom Management and Behavior Support
Addresses behavior management strategies, classroom rules, student engagement, discipline approaches, and safety practices.
Module 6: Student Safety and Supervision
Focuses on maintaining safe learning environments, supervision responsibilities, and emergency preparedness.
Module 7: School Operations and Daily Duties
Introduces non-instructional responsibilities such as bus duty, lunch supervision, and classroom support tasks.
Module 8: School Engagement and Administrative Support Activities
Covers involvement in school events, PTA activities, student clubs, and standardized test administration.
By the end of the course, the learner will be able to:
Recognize the key ways paraprofessionals support classroom instruction and student development
Identify strategies for meeting the needs of diverse learners in educational settings
Apply foundational behavior management techniques to support positive classroom environments
Describe the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of a teaching assistant
Understand how paraprofessionals contribute to both academic and emotional student success
Certificate of completion
This class is an independent-study course. Students will have all the resources needed to successfully complete the course within the online material. A student helpdesk is available for technical support during the course enrollment.