What Is a Learning Support Assistant and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

A learning support assistant or teacher’s assistant helps a school teacher with instructional and clerical tasks. Job duties can include preparing lesson materials, making photocopies, taking attendance, collecting and grading student work, monitoring student behavior, and working one-on-one or with small groups of children who need additional guidance to complete classroom learning activities.

Minimum career qualifications for a learning support assistant are a high school diploma or GED and experience working with children in a school setting. However, many employers prefer learning support assistant candidates who have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in education or early childhood development. Most jobs are at the pre-school and elementary school levels, although some middle and high school employ assistants to work with non-native English speakers and special needs students.

To be a good learning support assistant, you must enjoy working with children in a school setting on a daily basis. You need math and literacy skills, as well as strong communication skills to work with teachers, children, and their parents. Minimum career qualifications for a learning support assistant are a high school diploma or GED, but you may also pursue an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in education or early childhood development.