Teaching assistants are a valuable asset in the classroom. They bring much-needed skills and expertise to challenge ‘more able and talented’ students, as well as work closely with those students with additional learning needs and, it has to be said, a class as a whole.
They are an invaluable colleague in the teaching team, and an asset when working with all students in primary and secondary education. TAs are also become welcomed colleagues in college settings too.
Teaching assistants are a valuable asset in the classroom.
Become a qualified TA
There is a lot involved in becoming a proficient teaching assistant, one of the reasons why teaching assistant courses online are fast becoming popular. Like many professions, the need for an all-round, comprehensive qualification to underpin practice is essential.
NCC Home Learning TA courses cover major aspects of working in a classroom, and working with children and young people, some of whom will be vulnerable. Understanding best practice when it comes to appropriate interactions and forming relationships, for example, is imperative, especially in the modern age in which TAs and teaching colleagues are at the forefront of spotting child abuse and so on.
The Level 3 Teaching Assistant Diploma also covers child development, as well as working individually with students with disabilities and so on.
Become a specialist
Many TAs find themselves working in specialist environments or working with students displaying specialist needs and behaviours.
For example, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a syndrome many children are diagnosed with. Typically, they exhibit a range of behaviours that can make teaching and learning difficult and challenging for the student, their peers, and the teaching team.
A TA with specialist knowledge, as well as skills and abilities is invaluable in such a situation. Understanding behavioural signals and triggers, along with other learning needs, can make a skilled and qualified TA an asset to any classroom and school as a whole.
There are many additional teaching assistant courses online that can be completed, and not just in behavioural issues. Being qualified in working with children with autism or speech and language difficulties are all valuable additional, specialist skills a TA can have.
Career opportunities
The opportunities for progression for TAs has opened even wider in recent years, especially since more and more educational establishments are realising the value of highly qualified TAs in a classroom setting.
Education is a fast-paced world, one where changes are common place. What remains steadfast is the desire to keep students at the centre of learning. There is the increasing emphasis on making learning accessible to all, and that learning is lifelong, not one that ends when a student leaves school.
As a result, TAs are becoming commonplace in education, and not just in a primary school setting where, traditionally, TAs have been in abundance. TAs are commonplace in secondary schools, as well as in college settings.
There are also opportunities in specialist education settings, such as pupil referral units (PRUs) where those exhibiting challenging behaviour continue their education, as well as additional learning needs of students in specialist schools and units. Many TAs go on to managerial roles in some of these settings too, and is not the ‘dead-end’ profession that many people think it is.
Why study from home?
Taking up a new course for a new career or expanding on your current role can seem like a distant dream because giving up your work to attend college on a daily basis is financially impossible.
With work and family commitments, it can be difficult to commit to attending class on a certain day at a certain time each week, and for months on end. By choosing to study at home, you negate all these problems.
You study at a time that suits you and at your own pace. Home courses, either studied in paper format or via online, are cheaper too. But this does not mean the quality is any less; in fact, the quality and value of TA course online are on a par with those taught in a classroom setting.
How to apply
Applying for any course with NCC Home Learning is simple. If you want a new career as a TA or want to expand your current skills set, log on to their website and browse the 20+ courses relating to TA qualifications and specialist skills.
When you find the course you want, simply enrol online either by paying a small deposit and paying monthly, or in one lump sum. You can start studying straightaway and with a great tutor support package too, when you have questions or concerns, there is always help at hand.
Not sure which course is the right one? Just give out Student Support team a call, and they will happily talk through the online courses with qualifications with you.
TAs are invaluable in the classroom – and you could be too!
Nick Cooper
15
6
1
