If you’re ready to dive into the world of education, working as a teacher assistant, also known as a paraprofessional or teacher’s aide, can be the perfect first step. While these jobs can be hard to come by when funding constraints loom, having a top-notch teacher assistant resume is essential.
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You need one that demonstrates that you’re capable, qualified, and ready to hit the (play)ground running!
As a teaching assistant, you know you need to present a first impression, demonstrating that you’re a mature, capable professional with a commitment to working with young people.
Your resume will be the first impression the school principal has of you. Don’t flunk out before you get your foot in the door. Create a top-notch resume that shows the school administrators that you’re someone they want in the classroom every day.
Resume guide for a teacher assistant resume
Don’t know how to start your resume? Resume.io is here to help. As a leading job-winning resource, we’ve produced more than 500 occupation-specific resume writing guides and resume examples, backed by an easy-to-use resume builder.
This resume guide and corresponding teacher assistant resume example will cover the following:
- How to write a teacher assistant resume
- Choosing the right resume format for a teacher assistant
- How to add your contact information
- Using summaries
- Adding your teacher assistant experience
- Listing education and relevant experience
- Picking the right resume design/layout
- What the education market looks like, and what salary you can expect
How to write a teacher assistant resume
You can’t start writing a resume without knowing what it needs to include. No matter the format, your resume should include the following sections:
- The resume header
- The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
- The employment history section
- The resume skills section
- The education section
Applying for a job is like following a lesson plan. You want to make sure that all the classroom objectives are being met, and that you’re meeting your goals. To accomplish this, do your homework and learn as much as you can about the job, the school, and the administrative staff.
Figure out what the school’s needs are and position yourself as someone who can help them meet those needs. In this way, you’re identifying your unique selling proposition and that’s what is going to set you apart from the other applicants.
To make the grade, follow this rubric for resume success:
- Highlight accomplishments rather than your day-to-day tasks. Most teacher assistants have roughly the same duties, so focus on what you accomplished in your previous positions. Weave these accomplishments throughout your resume. It’s not bragging; you're showing them why you’re unique!
- Tailor each version of the resume for every job you apply for. Tweak the style and tone to match the school, just like you change your approach when dealing with individual students.
- Your resume should reflect your professionalism with a resume template designed to be effective, but not generic or dull.
- Since you’ll most likely be applying online for most positions, set your resume up for success with optimized keywords so it won’t be passed over by ATS screening software. Resume.io has plenty of ATS resume templates to choose from.
Having trouble identifying keywords?
Word cloud services like Worditout.com or Wordle can help take the guesswork out of finding the most important keywords if the job requirements seem vague or needlessly wordy. Just input the job description and the service will generate a visualization of the most frequently used words. This can also help you spot hidden patterns (if there are any) as to what the employer values or how they think.
Choosing the right resume format for a teacher assistant resume
For virtually all resumes in any occupation, including a teacher assistant resume, the chronological format is ideal for structuring your application document, especially if you have worked mostly in employee positions rather than being self-employed. Both recruiters and the ATS are accustomed to this format.
If you are new to the workforce or your job background is quite varied, take a look at alternative resume formats. If you’re new to the workforce or have transferable work skills from occupations that aren’t directly related, it may be well-suited to a functional resume structure.
We have a variety of resume templates in our resume builder, so you can find the one that’s right for you. If you need more inspiration, resume.io has several versions of the three formats available as resume examples.
When selecting your resume’s design, a teacher assistant resume should use a classic, simple, modern layout that is easy for a principal to read and find the information he or she requires.
Include your contact information
You might be the best teacher assistant in the world, but if the principal can’t get in touch with you, you’re out of luck! That’s why you need to make sure that your resume header includes all the information needed to contact you.
Your contact information should be clear, accurate, and positioned at the top of your resume where it’s easily found. It should also look professional. To accomplish this, include the following:
- Full name & title. Give your first and last name and the job title you’re applying for.
- Professional email address. Don’t use an email address that’s silly; instead, have an address with a simple format such as [email protected].
- Phone number. Provide a phone number where you can be easily reached, and make sure you re-record your outgoing message so that it sounds professional. One phone number is fine.
- Location. Include just your city and state. Don’t list the street address or zipcode.
- LinkedIn. If you have an active LinkedIn profile, you can include it here. However, it’s probably not necessary for a teacher assistant position.
Don’t include:
- Date of birth. It’s irrelevant and might leave you vulnerable to age discrimination.
- Personal details. Religion, marital status, social security number, passport number, etc.
- Photo Headshot. Not required for most teacher assistant positions.
Make use of a summary
When it comes to getting hired, your teacher assistant resume summary is the hiring principal's first impression, so you’ll want to ace it. It’s also one of the few chances on your resume to convey a bit of personality and creativity since it consists of complete sentences.
Your summary should include a dash of job experience and your top classroom skills, with just enough detail to leave a principal wanting to read more. The summary (also known as the profile or personal statement) is the only freeform section of your resume, on a page dominated by bullet point lists.
Don’t just cut and paste information that can be found elsewhere on your resume. Make use of these two to three sentences to convey an image of someone with excellent personal and professional qualities. Use strong action verbs describing specific tasks, qualities, or achievements, such as guided, evaluated, facilitated, supervised, or communicated. Every word here is worth its weight in gold, so make them count.
To save space, cut "I“ pronouns: "Helped students achieve high grades and excel in extracurricular activities” suffices. If the job description calls for a teacher assistant in a specific subject area, mention your relevant experiences or competencies. This applies even if it's a more general position; the important thing is to appear versatile and flexible.
Need more help with your summary? Check out our related resumes:
You can find adaptable teacher assistant resume examples summary below:
Dedicated assistant teacher with foundational experience in elementary education, adept at supporting diverse learning environments and special education needs. Skilled in classroom management, lesson planning, and effective communication. Committed to fostering a supportive and engaging learning atmosphere, with a focus on adapting to individual student requirements and contributing to their academic growth.
Enthusiastic and dedicated assistant teacher with experience teaching and supporting elementary-level classrooms serving students with different learning styles. Highly adaptable professional with a commitment to all aspects of student learning and growth. Demonstrated skills in behavior management and experience documenting student progress and managing work files.
Distinguished lead teacher, with a proven track record in advancing educational excellence and leading curriculum innovation. Renowned for expertise in differentiated instruction and strategic classroom management, ensuring tailored learning experiences for diverse student populations. Instrumental in mentoring educators and driving the integration of educational technology, significantly elevating literacy and numeracy outcomes.
Outline your teacher assistant work experience: an educational career
Think of the employment history of your teacher assistant resume as your own personal report card. It shows principals what material you’ve covered and what you accomplished in each of your previous job experiences. It should also show a pattern of willingness to learn and grow.
As a teacher assistant, you may be a career changer or a recent graduate. That means education or childcare-related activities like tutoring, nannying or volunteering might comprise your relevant experience. The trick is showing how these positions taught you the skills needed to succeed as a teacher assistant. Focusing on specific tasks from the job description coupled with your most notable achievements is a great way to do this.
In your resume, focus on the results of your efforts with results-based points. If you’ve already worked as a teacher assistant, then you have inside knowledge of the job and its requirements. Use that to your advantage by telling the principal exactly how you would make your experience count at this school to improve the environment for students and fellow teachers. A few things to ask yourself about previous roles:
- How did I demonstrate an ability to follow instructions?
- How did I keep a class or student calm and focused through a challenging task?
- What are my strategies for rewarding good behaviors and deterring negative ones?
- How did I communicate and work effectively with other teachers or parents?
- What improvements did my students show based on my efforts?
- How did I make life easier for the teacher or administration?
If you’ve been in the working world for a while, Your work experience section should only cover the last 10-15 years. Under each employer and role heading, describe your contributions in concise bullet point statements, omitting “I.” Don’t forget to use dynamic action verbs here, too, such as guided, evaluated, facilitated, supervised, or communicated.
Take a look at the teacher assistant employment history resume sample below:
Assistant Teacher at Lincoln Elementary School, Evanston
August 2016 - Present
- Acts as classroom support, focusing on diversity of learning styles and differentiated instruction.
- Collaborates with special education teachers to determine appropriate actions and discourse for applicable students.
- Utilize various classroom management techniques and assess instruction with daily reflective journaling.
Assistant Teacher at Burns Park Elementary School, Ann Arbor
August 2015 - May 2016
- Served as an everyday pillar of support and assistance to the Head Teacher.
- Led small group projects and worked one on one with students on individual work.
- Assisted with lesson planning and classroom routine implementation.
- Graded papers and organized student files.
- Planned ELA lessons and performed a read-aloud every afternoon.
How to write a teacher assistant resume with no experience
If you’re applying for your first teacher assistant position, don’t worry if you don’t have any direct experience, as you’ll emphasize transferable skills as well as your commitment to student education.
Focus on your educational background or relevant experience. Provide information on any training, coursework, or volunteer work that helped you develop skills that are useful as a teacher assistant.
Emphasize transferable skills that are crucial in the education field. For example, if you’ve worked as a nanny, highlight how this role developed your communication skills, or your critical thinking skills, both of which are vital in the classroom.
You can also mention relevant hobbies or interests. A keen interest in music, learning languages, or reading underscores your commitment and enthusiasm for learning and personal development.
Don’t feel embarrassed if you don’t have direct experience on your resume. By demonstrating your transferable skills and interests, you can position yourself as an appealing candidate and capable teacher assistant.
Include the relevant key skills that make you a great teacher assistant
Use this section of your teacher assistant resume to focus on the skills that make you a standout helper, both to students and fellow teachers. Your ultimate goal may be to have your own classroom, but right now, you need to show that you are an excellent aide.
If you’re working as an assistant in a specialized area, such as special ed or a language, you’ll want to focus on the specific skills needed in those areas. Knowledge of specific teaching methods for students who don’t speak English, or the ability to help disabled students with everyday hygiene tasks, will be a great help to an overworked teacher.
Differentiating the types of skills can help you see the big picture and prioritize them in your resume. Hard skills are generally those that require specific knowledge or relate to a practical task/action. Soft skills are mostly interpersonal or social, like emotional intelligence for teachers or bedside manner for doctors.
As a teacher assistant, you’ll likely lean more toward soft skills. But try to include at least a handful of hard skills relating to classroom technologies or student tools in use at the school. Here, again, it’s important to tailor your list to the subject area in which you'd be assisting. If you don’t know your placement yet, keep it general.
The resume builder provides several pre-written key skills from which you can choose and set proficiency ranges. If you prefer, you can also enter your skills manually.
Here’s what the skills box looks like in our teacher assistant resume template.
Key Skills and Proficiencies
Don’t limit your skills to this section. Incorporate them throughout the resume by showing how you used them on the job with specific examples and accomplishments.
How would that look? In your work history and professional summary, highlight your
- Communication skills by describing how you interacted with teachers, students, parents, and administrators.
- Active listening skills by demonstrating how you were able to listen to students and follow teacher directions.
- Resourcefulness by showing how you were able to help students with different needs and/or learning styles.
If you’re not sure what skills to include, examine the job description to identify what the school is looking for in a teacher assistant.
Detail your education & relevant teacher assistant certifications
The education section is exactly what it sounds like: a list of your academic history, in reverse chronological order. Most school districts require teacher assistants to have at least two years of college and/or an associate's degree, leave off your high school education and start with college degrees.
Since most US states also require teacher assistants/parapros to have state certification, you’ll also want to list that in this section. It’s also a good place to include any other relevant training you might have.
- Training and certifications. In addition to your state paraprofessional certification, include other certifications, such as first aid, as well as any relevant courses, workshops, or seminars you’ve attended.
- Student teaching. If you have a degree in education and performed your student teaching, include it here, even if it’s not necessary for a teacher assistant position.
- Professional development. If you’ve had any training with different teaching methods, collaborating with teachers and students, etc., or have memberships in professional organizations such as the Paraprofessionals & School-Related Personnel (PSRP) division of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) include them, as it shows your dedication to the field of education.
Keep in mind, if new to the field or your education or training is more relevant than your work experience, you might want to use a functional resume that places the education section above the work history. This helps put the focus on your qualifications and skills rather than practical experience.
Master of Science in Early Childhood Education, Northwestern University, Evanston
August 2016 - Present
Bachelor of Arts, Early Childhood Education, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
August 2012 - May 2016
Pick the right resume layout and design for a teacher assistant resume
It’s performance evaluation time and your teacher assistant resume is on the line. While it’s true that hiring principals will start with your teacher assistant resume summary, they might not even make it there if your layout is a mess.
You want your resume to be professional and simple, but not boring. A strong layout shows that you are organized and pay attention to detail, both on paper and in the classroom. In the education field, you’ll want to keep your resume visually appealing with an easy-to-read font.
While one accent color may be acceptable, it’s best to keep the overall look and feel clean, free of unnecessary icons or pictures. The teacher assistant resume sample here, for example, uses our Madris template—a classic, streamlined layout with bold subject headers and a pop of color for visual interest.
If you need help getting started, try our field-tested resume templates to rise above the competition and meet your class in no time.
Teacher assistant text-only resume example
Profile
Enthusiastic and dedicated Assistant Teacher with experience teaching and supporting elementary-level classrooms serving students with different learning styles. Highly adaptable professional with a commitment to all aspects of student learning and growth. Demonstrated skills in behavior management and experience documenting student progress and managing work files.
Employment history
Assistant Teacher at Lincoln Elementary School, Evanston
August 2016 - Present
- Acts as classroom support, focusing on diversity of learning styles and differentiated instruction.
- Collaborates with special education teachers to determine appropriate actions and discourse for applicable students.
- Utilize various classroom management techniques and assess instruction with daily reflective journaling.
Assistant Teacher at Burns Park Elementary School, Ann Arbor
August 2015 - May 2016
- Served as an everyday pillar of support and assistance to the Head Teacher.
- Led small group projects and worked one on one with students on individual work.
- Assisted with lesson planning and classroom routine implementation.
- Graded papers and organized student files.
- Planned ELA lessons and performed a read-aloud every afternoon.
Skills
- Strong Reading, Writing & Math Skills
- Behavior Management Skills
- Lesson Planning
- Strong Communication Skills
Education
Master of Science in Early Childhood Education, Northwestern University, Evanston
August 2016 - Present
Bachelor of Arts, Early Childhood Education, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
August 2012 - May 2016
Teacher assistant job market and outlook
Reducing overcrowding in public schools has been a hallmark issue of educational policy for much of the 21st century. Studies have shown that schools that reduce their class sizes improve their students' test scores and learning outcomes.
Despite this, many school districts face budget challenges, and unfortunately, to reduce costs, support personnel are often the first to be let go. This means that the employment of teacher assistants is projected to decline by 1% from 2023 to 2033.
- There were approximately 1,389,200 teacher assistant positions in 2023.
- Despite the decline, approximately 161,900 openings for teacher assistants are projected each year, from 2023-2033.
- 71 percent of teacher assistants work for a local elementary school.
What type of salary can you expect as a teacher assistant?
Most teacher assistants work full-time, but some part-time positions are usually available. Depending on their contact, teacher assistants may not work during the summer, but summer school employment may be available. The average salary for a teacher assistant is $35,550.
Salaries for similar roles:
- Childcare worker: $30,370
- Kindergarten/Elementary school teachers: $63,670
- Library technicians & assistants: $36,700
- Occupational therapy assistants and aides: $65,450
Key takeaways for building a teacher assistant resume
Teacher assistant opportunities can fluctuate with school budgets so jobs can be very competitive. A top-notch resume is one of your best tools to get ahead. Education-related experience can be molded to fit the role, just make sure to highlight measurable accomplishments. Keep your education section short, but don’t forget the essential details of your degrees and certificates. A clean and professional layout is essential to highlighting your experience and landing the job.
Start your job search with a resume builder, but why stop there? With resume.io’s 18 powerful tools, you can search for jobs, track your journey, prepare for interviews, and negotiate salaries—all with our all-inclusive career toolkit at your fingertips.
