What makes a great teaching assistant?

Teaching assistants (TAs) play a key role in the educational landscape, providing essential support that enhances student learning and contributes to a well-organised classroom environment. This article explores the key skills and qualities that top-performing TAs have including communication, professional relationships and key skills to support learning.

1. Effective communication and interpersonal skills

Clear and concise communication is fundamental to work as a TA as it enables you to convey information effectively to both pupils and teachers. Strong interpersonal skills facilitate the development of trusting relationships, fostering a collaborative and supportive classroom atmosphere. Active listening, empathy, and the ability to adapt communication styles to suit different audiences are vital components of this skill set.

In the video below we talk about how the power of tonality can shift the impact that your message has, be it to pupils, teachers or colleagues:

2. Collaboration and teamwork

TAs must work seamlessly with teachers and other school staff to support lesson delivery and address student needs. Being a team player involves understanding and fulfilling your role in line with the curriculum, contributing to collective goals and maintaining open lines of communication with colleagues. Understanding what makes a great teaching assistant means recognising that strong collaboration is just as important as classroom knowledge.

Building a strong partnership with the teachers you work with is essential for creating an effective and inclusive learning environment. This video explores practical strategies for collaboration and top tips to build high-performing classroom relationships.

3. Adaptability and flexibility

The dynamic nature of classroom environments demands that TAs be adaptable and flexible. As a TA, you should be prepared to handle various tasks such as assisting with lesson preparations to managing unexpected situations. This versatility ensures they can effectively support both teachers and students in a range of contexts.

Understanding the plan for the day can improve your flexibility. A quick catch-up with your teacher before school starts will help you both be prepared to cover topics and their potential questions as well as any behavioural challenges that might arise throughout the day.

4. Patience and empathy

Working with students requires a high degree of patience and empathy. TAs should be attuned to the individual challenges and learning paces of students, providing support and encouragement tailored to each child's needs. This compassionate approach helps ensure each pupil has a fair chance of learning and development and gets the support they need.

5. Organisational skills

Organisation enables TAs to manage multiple responsibilities efficiently, such as preparing classroom materials, coordinating schedules and maintaining accurate records. Strong organisational skills contribute to the smooth operation of classroom activities and support overall educational objectives.

This is where coming from a non-educator background can be an advantage. If this is your first support role you can bring your organisational skills from other positions into the classroom.

6. Technological proficiency

In today's digital age, familiarity with educational technologies is increasingly important. TAs should be comfortable using various digital tools and platforms to assist in lesson delivery, resource preparation, and student engagement. Proficiency with technology enhances the learning experience and allows for more innovative teaching strategies.

Here are some of the ways that you could upskill yourself digitally for free as a teaching assistant:

• Take free online courses – FutureLearn offers a free Using Technology in the Classroom course and Google for Education offers free training on tools including Google Classroom, Docs, Slides and Forms.

• Try EdTech tools – Examples include ClassDojo or Seesaw for communication and pupil portfolios, Kahoot! for interactive quizzes (a firm favourite here at TeacherActive) and Whiteboard.fi or Jamboard for live feedback and visual collaboration

• Ask for more tasks – Doctor Seuss said, “The more that you read, the more things you will know” and the same is to be said for technology. The more exposure you get, the more comfortable you will be and the more valuable you will be in the classroom. You can offer to help set up devices, prep digital presentations, or support pupils during computing lessons. Learning on the job with guidance can be the fastest way to improve.

7. Commitment to continuous learning

Dedication to ongoing professional development is essential for TAs aiming to stay abreast of educational best practices and evolving teaching methodologies. Engaging in training opportunities and seeking feedback demonstrates a commitment to personal growth and the enhancement of student support strategies. Ensure you allocate time to Continuous Professional Development (CPD) such as TeacherActive’s CPD platform My-Progression, featuring bite-sized videos you can complete at a time that suits you and evidence with CPD certificates.

By embodying these skills and attributes, teaching assistants significantly contribute to the effectiveness of educational delivery and the overall development of students. What makes a great teaching assistant is not just subject knowledge or experience, but the consistent application of these interpersonal, organisational, and adaptive skills.

With the right mindset and a commitment to your own learning, what makes a great teaching assistant is the ability to be a reliable and proactive presence in the classroom — someone who enhances student success while supporting the broader goals of the teaching team