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Teacher Assistants/Paraprofessionals

The Teacher Assistants or Paraprofessionals:

  • Provide instructional services to students under the general supervision of a certified Teacher
  • Work with individual students or groups of students on special instructional projects
  • Assist the teacher in lesson planning
  • Help the teacher present sections of lesson plans
  • Provide the teacher with information about students which will assist the teacher in developing appropriate learning and behavioral experiences
  • Often use their own special skills and abilities in such areas as: foreign languages, arts, crafts, and music

A Teaching Assistant (Paraprofessional) needs:

  • Knowledge of child development and general education
  • Skills such as reading, oral communication, and child behavior guidance

Teaching Assistants (Paraprofessionals) need to:

  • Be cooperative
  • Be able to follow directions
  • Work independently
  • Interact positively with children

Some Teaching Assistants (Paraprofessionals):

  • Work in school libraries, reading and math labs, and resource rooms
  • Help students with specific health related activities
  • Perform tasks specifically listed on a student’s Individual Education Program (IEP)

Setting: NYC Public School

Academic and Experience Requirements - TEACHING ASSISTANT LEVEL 1

Valid for 1 year; not renewable, unless proof of the need to renew for 1 more year to meet the experience requirement for the Level 2 teaching assistant certificate.

High School Diploma or Equivalency Certificate (GED)

AND

NYS Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills (NYSATAS)

AND

Completion of NYS Mandated Trainingon Child Abuse Identification & Reporting

AND

Completion of the NYS Mandated Training on School Violence Prevention and Intervention

AND

Fingerprint Clearance
 
Academic and Experience Requirements - TEACHING ASSISTANT LEVEL 2

Valid for 2 years; not renewable.

High School Diploma or Equivalency Certificate (GED)

AND

NYS Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills (NYSATAS)

AND

Completion of the NYS Mandated Training on Child Abuse Identification & Reporting

AND

Completion of the NYS Mandated Training on School Violence Prevention and Intervention

AND

Fingerprint Clearance

AND

6 semester hours of coursework applicable toward an Associate's or Bachelor's degree

AND

1 Year Teaching Assistant experience under a Temporary or Continuing License, or Level 1 certificate.
 
Academic and Experience Requirements - TEACHING ASSISTANT LEVEL 3

Continuously valid if professional development requirement satisfied.

High School Diploma or Equivalency Certificate (GED)

AND

NYS Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills (NYSATAS)

AND

Completion of the NYS Mandated Training on Child Abuse Identification & Reporting

AND

Completion of the NYS Mandated Training on School Violence Prevention and Intervention

AND

Fingerprint Clearance

AND

18 semester hours of coursework applicable toward an Associate's or Bachelor's degree

AND

1 Year Teaching Assistant experience under a Temporary or Continuing License, or Level 1 certificate, or Level 2 certificate.

Ongoing Training/Professional Development

75 hours every 5 years of coursework or other district approved activities, or equivalent, or in program w/articulation agreement with teacher education program

PRE-PROFESSIONAL TEACHING ASSISTANT

Valid for 5 years; renewable with completion of teacher education program, or equivalent, or in program w/articulation agreement with teacher education program.

High School Diploma or Equivalency Certificate (GED)

AND

NYS Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills (NYSATAS)

AND

Completion of the NYS Mandated Training on Child Abuse Identification & Reporting

AND

Completion of the NYS Mandated Training on School Violence Prevention and Intervention

AND

Fingerprint Clearance

AND

18 semester hours of coursework applicable toward an Associate's or Bachelor's degree

AND

Completion of a teacher education program or equivalent, or in program w/articulation agreement with teacher education program.

AND

1 year Teaching Assistant experience under a Temporary or Continuing License, or Level 1 certificate, or Level 2 certificate, or Level 3 certificate.

Ongoing Training/Professional Development

To maintain validity, 30 semester hours must be earned in 5 years.

   

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