Teacher Assistant Resume examples & templates

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Copyable Teacher Assistant Resume examples

The role of Teacher Assistants dates back to the early 1900s, when one-room schoolhouses relied on older students to help manage younger pupils. The position evolved significantly during the 1960s and 70s education reforms, becoming a formalized role as schools recognized the value of additional classroom support. Today's Teacher Assistants are far more than just administrative helpers — they're vital educational partners who provide targeted student support, facilitate small group instruction, and often serve as cultural bridges in diverse classrooms. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 1.4 million Teacher Assistants work in U.S. schools, with nearly 37% supporting special education programs.

What's fascinating about this field is how it's transformed in recent years. We're seeing a shift toward Teacher Assistants taking on more specialized responsibilities, particularly in technology integration and social-emotional learning support. Many districts now seek TAs with specific skill sets (like bilingual abilities or STEM backgrounds) rather than general helpers. As schools continue navigating post-pandemic learning recovery, Teacher Assistants are positioned to play an even more crucial role in addressing widening achievement gaps and supporting students' increasingly complex needs.

Junior Teacher Assistant Resume Example

Maya Rodriguez

Portland, OR 97201 • (503) 555-8762 • maya.rodriguez@email.com • linkedin.com/in/mayarodriguez

Dedicated Teacher Assistant with 1+ year experience supporting elementary classroom environments. Psychology graduate with strong background in child development and special education basics. Known for building rapport with challenging students and creating engaging learning materials. Seeking to grow in an inclusive educational setting where I can continue developing my classroom management skills.

Experience

Teacher Assistant – Lincoln Elementary School, Portland, OR

August 2022 – Present

  • Provide direct support to lead teacher in 2nd grade classroom of 27 students, including 4 with IEPs
  • Created a visual schedule system that reduced transition times by 31% for students with attention challenges
  • Lead small reading groups 3x weekly for students requiring additional literacy support
  • Manage classroom during teacher absences, following established lesson plans while maintaining routines
  • Document student behavior and academic progress using district-approved tracking software

After-School Program Aide (Part-time) – Bright Horizons Learning Center, Portland, OR

January 2022 – August 2022

  • Supervised groups of K-3 students during after-school enrichment programming
  • Implemented arts and crafts activities that reinforced concepts from regular curriculum
  • Assisted with homework completion and provided additional explanation when needed
  • Communicated with parents regarding daily activities and any behavioral concerns

Student Teacher Practicum – Washington Elementary School, Portland, OR

September 2021 – December 2021

  • Completed 120-hour practicum as part of education certificate program
  • Observed various teaching styles and classroom management techniques across K-5 classrooms
  • Assisted with grading assignments and providing feedback to students

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – Portland State University

Minor: Early Childhood Education

Graduated: May 2021 • GPA: 3.7

Teacher Assistant Certificate Program – Portland Community College

Completed: December 2021

Certifications

  • First Aid & CPR Certified (expires March 2024)
  • Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) Basic Certification

Skills

  • Small group instruction
  • Classroom management
  • Behavior modification strategies
  • IEP support implementation
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Google Classroom
  • Seesaw learning platform
  • Basic Spanish language skills
  • Conflict resolution
  • Differentiated instruction

Mid-level Teacher Assistant Resume Example

MELISSA JACKSON

San Diego, CA | (619) 555-7821 | mjackson@emailpro.net | linkedin.com/in/melissa-jackson

Dedicated Teacher Assistant with 5+ years supporting diverse learning environments in both public and private schools. Known for creating engaging activities that reinforce curriculum while providing specialized support for students with unique learning needs. Consistently commended for classroom management skills and ability to build trusted relationships with students, parents, and lead teachers.

EXPERIENCE

Lead Teacher Assistant | Sunshine Valley Elementary School | San Diego, CA | June 2021 – Present

  • Provide targeted support to 4 classroom teachers serving 87 students across grades 2-3, with particular focus on students with IEPs and 504 plans
  • Developed and implemented a “reading buddies” program that increased reading scores by 17% for struggling readers
  • Manage small group instruction for math intervention, bringing 73% of below-grade-level students up to proficiency
  • Train and mentor 2 new teacher assistants each year, creating standardized onboarding materials that reduced training time from 3 weeks to 10 days
  • Collaborate with special education team to adapt learning materials for 14 students with diverse learning requirements

Teacher Assistant | Bright Futures Academy | La Mesa, CA | August 2019 – May 2021

  • Supported lead teacher in a classroom of 26 first-grade students, including 4 English language learners
  • Created hands-on learning stations for science and social studies units, which were later adopted by other grade-level classrooms
  • Maintained detailed observation notes for student progress reports and parent-teacher conferences
  • Supervised students during lunch periods, recess, and field trips, ensuring safety protocols were consistently followed

After-School Program Assistant | Kids First Learning Center | La Mesa, CA | January 2018 – August 2019

  • Facilitated homework help sessions and educational activities for elementary students ages 5-11
  • Planned and led weekly STEM projects that boosted program enrollment by 24%
  • Communicated daily with parents regarding student progress and behavior
  • Documented incident reports and maintained attendance records

EDUCATION

Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education
San Diego Community College | San Diego, CA | 2018

Certifications

  • First Aid and CPR Certification (renewed 2023)
  • Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) Certification (2021)
  • Supporting Students with Autism in the Classroom – 30 Hour Program (2020)

SKILLS

  • Small group instruction
  • Behavior management
  • Curriculum modification
  • Educational technology (Smartboards, Chromebooks, learning apps)
  • IEP & 504 plan implementation
  • Classroom organization
  • Conflict resolution
  • Record keeping & documentation
  • Parent communication
  • Google Classroom & SeeSaw platforms

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Currently pursuing Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education (expected completion: Spring 2025)
Fluent in conversational Spanish
Volunteer reading tutor at San Diego Public Library (2020-Present)

Senior / Experienced Teacher Assistant Resume Example

Theresa M. Connelly

Boston, MA | (617) 555-8742 | tconnelly@emailpro.net | linkedin.com/in/theresa-connelly

Dedicated Teaching Assistant with 10+ years supporting diverse student populations in K-8 classroom environments. Skilled in implementing individualized education plans and behavior management strategies that foster inclusive learning. Known for building

strong relationships with students, parents, and faculty while adapting teaching approaches to meet varied learning styles. Completed advanced training in special education support and trauma-informed practices.

EXPERIENCE

Lead Teaching Assistant | Brookline Public Schools | Brookline, MA | January 2017 – Present

  • Mentor and train 5 new teaching assistants annually, developing orientation materials that reduced onboarding time by 3 weeks
  • Support lead teacher in managing classroom of 24 students, including 7 with IEPs and 3 English language learners
  • Collaborate with special education team to implement and track progress on individualized goals, resulting in 87% of students meeting or exceeding annual targets
  • Develop supplemental learning materials for small group instruction that improved reading comprehension scores by 31% for struggling readers
  • Facilitate daily morning meetings and social-emotional learning activities that decreased behavioral incidents by 42% over two years

Elementary Teaching Assistant | Westfield Elementary | Cambridge, MA | August 2014 – December 2016

  • Provided one-on-one and small group support for students with learning differences, adapting curriculum materials to meet diverse needs
  • Assisted with daily classroom management for 28 third-grade students, including transitions, lunch supervision, and recess monitoring
  • Created visual schedules and behavior support systems for students with autism spectrum disorder and ADHD
  • Maintained detailed documentation of student progress and behavioral observations for parent-teacher conferences and IEP meetings

After-School Program Assistant | Cambridge Youth Center | Cambridge, MA | September 2012 – July 2014

  • Supervised groups of 15-20 elementary students during after-school enrichment program
  • Planned and led weekly art and science activities that aligned with school curriculum
  • Communicated with parents regarding student progress and program updates
  • Maintained safe environment while fostering positive social interactions among diverse student groups

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education
Bunker Hill Community College | Boston, MA | 2011

Certifications:

  • Massachusetts Teaching Assistant Certification (renewed 2022)
  • Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) Certification (renewed annually)
  • First Aid/CPR/AED Certified (current)
  • Wilson Reading System Level I Certification (2019)

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  • Trauma-Informed Classroom Practices Workshop Series (40 hours) – 2021
  • Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Inclusive Settings – 2020
  • Assistive Technology in the Classroom – 2019
  • Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) Training – 2018

SKILLS

  • Individualized Education Plan (IEP) implementation
  • Behavior management strategies
  • Small group instruction
  • Differentiated learning techniques
  • Data collection and progress monitoring
  • Google Classroom & educational technology
  • Parent communication
  • Social-emotional learning support
  • English Language Learner support
  • Classroom material preparation

How to Write a Teacher Assistant Resume

Introduction

Landing that perfect Teacher Assistant job starts with a resume that showcases your classroom skills, patience with students, and ability to support lead teachers. Your resume isn't just a list of past jobs—it's your ticket to an interview where you can really shine. As someone who's reviewed hundreds of TA applications over the years, I can tell you that hiring managers often spend less than 30 seconds scanning each resume before deciding whether to put it in the "yes" or "no" pile. Let's make sure yours lands in the right one!

Resume Structure and Format

Keep your Teacher Assistant resume clean and scannable. Most school administrators are juggling multiple responsibilities and don't have time to decipher a cluttered document.

  • Stick to 1-2 pages (1 page is perfect for those with less than 5 years experience)
  • Use a professional, readable font like Calibri or Arial in 11-12pt size
  • Include clear section headings to guide the reader's eye
  • Use bullet points rather than dense paragraphs
  • Save as a PDF unless specifically asked for another format
If applying to public schools or districts, your resume might go through HR first before reaching the principal or hiring committee. Make sure it's straightforward enough for non-educators to understand your qualifications too.

Profile/Summary Section

Start with a brief (2-4 sentence) summary that captures who you are as an educator. This isn't the place for generic statements—make it specific to your teaching philosophy and experience level.

For example: "Dedicated Teacher Assistant with 3+ years supporting diverse K-2 classrooms. Experienced in implementing IEP accommodations and creating engaging literacy stations. Known for building positive relationships with challenging students while maintaining clear behavioral expectations."

Professional Experience

Your work history should focus on measurable contributions and specific responsibilities. Vague statements won't help you stand out from other candidates.

  • Begin each bullet with strong action verbs (Assisted, Implemented, Monitored, Facilitated)
  • Include specific age groups/grade levels you've worked with
  • Mention student ratios when relevant (e.g., "Supported lead teacher in classroom of 27 third-graders")
  • Highlight tangible results where possible ("Worked one-on-one with 5 struggling readers, helping 4 advance by at least one reading level within semester")
  • Include experience with specific learning models or curriculum frameworks your target schools use

Education and Certifications

For Teacher Assistant positions, relevant coursework and certifications can be just as important as degrees. Don't hesitate to include:

  • Associate's degree or Bachelor's degree (if applicable)
  • ParaPro certification or state-specific TA credentials
  • CPR/First Aid certification (schools love this!)
  • Relevant workshops or training (classroom management, special education, etc.)
  • Coursework in child development, education, or psychology

Keywords and ATS Tips

Many school districts now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes before human eyes ever see them. To get past these digital gatekeepers:

  • Carefully read the job posting and incorporate key terms
  • Include specific programs mentioned (Fundations, Everyday Math, etc.)
  • Mention experience with relevant student populations (ELL, special education)
  • Use standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills)
  • Avoid tables, headers/footers, and text boxes that can confuse ATS software

Industry-specific Terms

Including these terms (where truthful) can signal that you speak the language of education:

  • Small group instruction
  • Behavior management
  • Differentiated instruction
  • IEP/504 accommodations
  • Formative assessment
  • Classroom management

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on childcare aspects rather than educational support
  • Using vague descriptions ("helped teacher," "worked with kids")
  • Forgetting to mention experience with specific age groups
  • Including irrelevant personal information
  • Typos! (Schools expect attention to detail from someone who might help teach literacy)

Before/After Example

Before: "Helped teacher with students and classroom duties."

After: "Provided targeted support to 6 students with IEPs during math

instruction, implementing multisensory techniques that improved quiz scores by an average of 17% over one quarter."

Big difference, right? The second version shows exactly how you contributed to student success—which is what principals and hiring committees really want to know about potential TAs.

Soft skills for your Teacher Assistant resume

  • Active listening – developed through years of working with diverse student needs and translating complex teacher instructions
  • Conflict resolution – regularly defuse student disagreements before they escalate, especially during recess and group activities
  • Flexible teaching approaches – can switch between visual, auditory, and hands-on methods depending on student learning styles
  • Patience during student learning curves (even on days when the coffee machine breaks!)
  • Non-verbal communication interpretation – spot when students are confused but won’t speak up
  • Crisis management – stay calm during unexpected classroom situations from spills to meltdowns

Hard skills for your Teacher Assistant resume

  • Proficiency in IEP documentation software (PowerIEP, SESIS)
  • Classroom behavior management techniques (PBIS, Token Economy)
  • Student data tracking and progress monitoring
  • Assistive technology operation (FM systems, text-to-speech tools)
  • CPR/First Aid certification
  • Specialized reading intervention methods (Wilson, Orton-Gillingham)
  • Google Classroom and educational app management
  • Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training
  • Differentiated instruction adaptation for varied learning needs