Barbara Said:

How can I become a New York State Certified Teaching Assistant?

We Answered:

I took the TA test for NYS and I took it through our local BOCES . The 2 workshops that are required to take in order to be certified are offered by BOCES as well, so my suggestion would be to contact your local BOCES and have them help you. I hope this helps and good luck!

Annette Said:

Why become a teaching assistant? What do I want to get out of being at the school?

We Answered:

If you plan on becoming a teacher in the future, maybe a teaching assistant would give you the experience and give you the hands on classroom training you would need for that.

I am not really sure. Good luck!

Larry Said:

How does one become a TA(teaching assistant?)?

We Answered:

Your local school/college may be able to help with the answer, if you phone them. They may have some vacancies coming up and could talk it through with you. Alternatively, you might be able to help in a voluntary capacity, to see if you are suited to this and where your strengths lie.

Another approach to look on their website under Education vacancies, non- teaching. Then phone the college and ask if you can discuss the post with the Head of Dept. Training is usually given on the job. Be clear what your strengths are; literacy, or drama, or creative arts, for instance, so you can be placed in a department where your talents can be utilized.

Yes there are regular meetings to discuss work with your professor and you can also request to speak to him/her, if there is a matter needing more immediate attention. I find that a 'day book' or file, is a useful way of passing some information, or asking and answering questions, although time to talk is essential.

If you already have some qualifications, you may wish to see foif your college has Higher Level Teaching Assistant posts. Here you would have more responsibility for teaching

Wendy Said:

Change of carrer, how do I become a Teaching assistant?

We Answered:

You don't need qualifications to become a teaching assistant. Most go on training courses ONCE they're a TA. You'd be more likely to get a job as a TA with some experience of working with children though. Try and get voluntary work at a youth club or holiday club, which'll increase your chances of getting a job. TA pay is generally crap though, it'll be no more than £11-12k a year when you first start out I reckon.

Joel Said:

do i need to be working in a school to study for an nvq for a teaching assistant?

We Answered:

The NVQs in Teaching Assistant are very hard to come by as not many local colleges provide such course, they are expensive and particularly for Level 2+ you will need to work in a school.

However the good news is not all schools require prospective Teaching Assistants to have a NVQ, having classroom experience is more important. Also once you are employed by a school you can ask to go on the NVQ course which the school will pay for.

If I were you I would take advantage of the fact that you work in a school. I would speak to the Headteacher and see if its possible for you to help out in some of the classrooms when your not working to gain classroom experience. Once you have this on your CV you will be suitable to apply for unqualified Teaching Assistant Roles which there are many of. This will be the quickest way to get your foot through the door.