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Education & TrainingGrowing

Teaching Assistant, Special Education

Operational-level

Also known as: Assistant Instructor, Basic Skills Improvement Program Instructional Aide (BSIP Instructional Aide), Classroom Paraprofessional, Co-Teacher

Education & TrainingBachelor's Degree

Job Description

Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher to provide academic, social, or life skills to students who have learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.
Special EducationEducation AssistantInclusive EducationDisability SupportChild DevelopmentEducationPsychologySocial WorkTeaching

A Day in the Life

You arrive at Maplewood Elementary at 7:45 AM, heading straight to the bustling self-contained classroom. Ms. Evans, the lead special education teacher, greets you warmly. Together, you review the daily schedule on a shared Google Doc, noting individual student goals from their IEPs. You meticulously arrange laminated visual schedules on each student's desk and organize a stack of adapted worksheets by the whiteboard. The quiet before the students arrive is your chance to mentally prepare for a dynamic day ahead, ensuring all materials are ready.

Skills employers are looking for in 2027

Software and technologies flagged by O*NET as Hot or In-Demand for this role.

Hot technologies
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Word
In-demand software
Microsoft Office software

Work Environment

How this work is typically performed, based on O*NET work context data.

Email & digital communication
Moderate
Working in a team
High
Contact with others
High
Freedom to make decisions
Moderate
Time pressure
Moderate
Time spent sitting
Moderate
Working outdoors
Moderate
Indoor, climate-controlled
High
Dealing with customers
Moderate
Level of competition
Low

Source: O*NET Work Context (v31.0)

Future Perspective

Growing Job Market

The job outlook for Special Education Teaching Assistants is growing through 2035. With an Associate's Degree, you can start helping students right away. Many in this role go on to become Special Education Teachers or School Counselors, often by pursuing further education.

Career ladder

Often before this role

  • Childcare Worker
  • Camp Counselor
  • Tutor

Where it can lead

  • Special Education Teacher
  • School Counselor
  • Educational Diagnostician

Impact of AI on this Job

AI tools can assist special education teaching assistants by providing personalized learning materials, adaptive assessments, and data analytics on student progress. While AI might automate some administrative tasks, the human element of empathy, social interaction, and individualized support remains crucial. It will likely augment, rather than replace, their role, allowing more focus on direct student engagement.

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Salary

$24,668 - $49,336 per year

Estimated for US-wide average

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum educational requirement for this position

Relevant Studies

Based on job level & field

Special Education and Teaching, General

Bachelor • Education • 4 years

Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities

Bachelor • Education • 4 years

Elementary Education and Teaching

Bachelor • Education • 4 years

Education, General

Bachelor • Education • 4 years

Teacher Education, Multiple Levels

Bachelor • Education • 4 years

Child Care Provider/Assistant

Bachelor • Social Sciences • 4 years

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