Have a gander at these teacher assistant resume writing tips and steps to land a job interview quicker. If you secure an interview and job offer, you can look forward to your first day as a teacher’s aide or paraprofessional.
As an educational assistant, do you visualize the classroom’s physical appearance?
Imagine the fresh, eager faces who will eagerly be awaiting your assistance and the teacher-mentor who will guide you in your first months in your teaching support career.
If you do not yet have a list of your ideal classroom, I recommend making one before writing your resume. Once you have a clear picture of what you want in a teaching assistant position, it will be easier to write a resume targeting your desired position. Don’t forget the importance of writing a new teacher cover letter for your application.
I have the following tips for writing your teaching assistant resume and succeeding in landing an interview.
One Teacher Assistant Resume Writing Tip is to Include the Correct Keywords
Before you write your teacher assistant resume, consider making a list of teaching keywords and skills to include in your resume and cover letter. Keywords are like a magnet in an educational assistant resume and are top resume writing tips.
Incorporating the right keywords will serve several essential functions, including helping you to:
- Match your resume with the right open teacher’s aide positions. Hiring managers will search their database of resumes to find teacher’s assistants or education aides. Interview screeners may also type in ‘teacher’s aide’, ‘ education assistant’, ‘ instructional assistant’ or ‘paraprofessional.’
- Distinguish yourself from other teacher assistant applicants. Choose the words you use in your resume carefully. One mistake teachers who write their resumes make is using the same old-fashion terminology in the work experience section. They write the description of their job and don’t include searchable keywords or phrases.
Below we will discuss how to back up your keywords with evidence.
Here is a sample list of teacher assistant keywords. Of course, as you write your teacher’s resume and cover letter, new words will flourish.
Incorporate Relevant Titles/Positions, If Possible
First and foremost, the position(s) you are targeting should be sprinkled throughout your resume and other job search documents:
- Teacher’s Assistant (TA)
- Teacher’s Aide
- Educational Assistant
- Paraprofessional
Only include words that align with your teaching skills, abilities, education, and work experience. Other titles or areas you wish to assist in teaching could consist of daycare teacher, part-time instructor, preschool teaching career, infant room leader, and counselor.
Search teacher assistant employment ads and find the most common job titles. It may suffice to use ‘teacher’s assistant’ with a few mentions of ‘teacher’s aide.’ Let the education job market inform your keyword choice.
Citing Grade and Subject Area
Cite the grade level and subject you are interested in teaching. Several choices may include:
- Elementary
- K-12
- High School
- Middle School
- Secondary
- Special Education
- Science
- Music
- Physical Education
- Resource Rooms
- Day Care Programs
- Head Start Programs
- Private Educational Support Programs
- Early Intervention Programs
Include Special Certifications/Training
If you have obtained or plan to get special certifications in any of these areas, be sure to mention them:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI)
- Early Childhood Education (ECE)
- Subject Area Specialization: Art, Science, Physical Education, Math
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is in high demand. You may also come up in a separate search for autism teaching assistants, therapists, or CBT assistants. In this case, you may want to mention CBT several times in your resume and cover letter.
What is Your Teaching Approach
The school will want to know about your educational philosophy (here is a teacher belief statement example) and teaching methods.
Don’t miss listing any classes and workshops, and certifications in areas such as:
- Differentiated Instruction
Student-Centered Learning
Peer-to-Peer Learning
Project-Based Learning
Reality and Real World Pedagogy
Incorporate Your Top Teaching Skills (Soft)
While reviewing teacher aide or assistant job ads, note what qualities they seek in a teaching assistant.
Skills in demand can be found in current educational assistant teacher job ads:
- Team player
- Cooperative
- Organized
- Empathetic
- Independent
- Adaptable
- Caring/Compassionate
- Verbal and Written Communication Skills
- Punctual
Our teaching skill tips for career switchers are also helpful to those seeking teaching assistant resume writing tips. Anyone seeking entry-level teaching positions can benefit from them.
Don’t Forget to Include Teaching Skills (Hard)
Hard skills are particularly important in education and go well beyond simple computer and audiovisual skills. Today’s classroom uses many unique learning programs and methods. There is an abundance – be sure to list the following:
- Learning programs (math, reading literacy, and so on)
- Learning apps
- Technology
Research the school and district in advance and see what tools they use in the classroom. Getting an interview is about matching your skills with those needed by the school where you wish to secure employment. Tailoring to meet the school’s needs and requirements could require adjusting your resume, cover letter accomplishments, and keywords for each job.
Another Important Teacher Assistant Resume Writing Tip
Uncover and Communicate Transferable Skills (Hard)
Transferable skills are one of your best assets when applying for entry-level teacher assistant positions. You can facilitate and simplify entering a career in education with transferable skills. Here are examples of transferable skills you may have used in your personal, professional, and volunteer life:
- Tutor
- Counselor
- Coordinator
- Instructor
- Lecturer
- Guide
- Organizer
Review resume keywords to include in your resume to ensure you match your prospective employers’ teaching needs.
Present Accomplishments in Your Teacher Assistant Resume to Communicate Evidence of Expertise
The hiring manager reads many resumes with the same teaching skills listed over and over again. How can you stand out from the other teaching assistants in the job applicant pool? The key is to back up your claims with evidence.
Evidence may include:
Examples of Accomplishments for a Teacher’s Assistant
These sample teacher’s aide or assistant achievements provide examples of both positions held and programs used.
As a reading literacy instructor-led reading circles at summer camps and tutored elementary-level students after school.
- We have integrated a full breadth of reading programs into lessons, including Success for All, Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS), and the leading elementary-level reading apps.
- We implemented Applied Behavior Analysis to teach a non-verbal student how to navigate an augmentative communication device when asked questions.
- Utilized various informal and formal assessment strategies to analyze student readiness, determine student progress, and effectively adapt instruction to meet and exceed State Standards.
- She collaborated with librarians to develop an after-school reading club, which grew by 15% each semester.
- Tutored below-grade students in math and successfully integrated them into inclusive classroom math lessons.
- Helped students develop a reward and peer support system using social media to increase class attendance and assignment completion.
- Established outdoor science program focused on learning about the natural world through inquiry methods.
Incorporate Quantitative Results in Accomplishments
Use complex numbers, the most powerful evidence you can present whenever possible.
- In conjunction with the teacher, I increased elementary-level reading scores by 10 percent in the first semester in an inclusive classroom of typically developing and exceptional education learners.
- Boosted class participation by 20 percent and punctuality to 98 percent by empowering students through student-focused learning.
- Received top marks on teacher evaluations with distinction for lesson ease of use and performance assessments.
Teacher Assistant Resume Summary/Profile
Last but far from least important is the teacher assistant’s resume profile or summary. I often recommend writing the resume summary after assembling your list of keywords and accomplishments. This process helps you prioritize what to emphasize in your resume profile.
The reader will first see the title of your resume summary. These keywords are super influential as they will be the first to pop up in a job search. Do not hesitate to change them to suit the desired teaching assistant job position.
Teaching Assistant
Elementary School – Special Education – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Those four terms have captured three of the most in-demand positions in teaching.
Now you are ready to write a teaching assistant resume summary. Here, too, job ads come in handy.
Ask yourself, does my resume profile reflect the teacher assistant position profiles in the job ads? Have I highlighted the skills and qualities they are seeking in this position?
Review tips on how to write a compelling resume profile.
Note how the writer has included substantial evidence of her teaching ability in this teacher assistant resume example.
“Commended for excellence in innovation, creativity, organization, and proactive talents.”
Provide impressive evidence of your teaching ability by placing a quote praising teaching performance from a school district below the profile summary.
Hard numbers, if available, in a resume are often listed in bulleted accomplishments. Sneak in evidential information, like the above skills summary, to make your resume stand out from other applicants.
Need some educational resume writing help making a stellar resume, cover letter, or CV curriculum vitae? Take the time to review and order one of our resume packages or individual services.
Learn more about Candace Alstad-Davies; from that page, you can review testimonials and frequently asked questions.
Have questions, please connect by sending an email to Candace or call toll-free at 1 877 738-8052.
I would enjoy chatting with you and helping to move your educational career forward.
