THE

ROLES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES OF

Teacher Assistants
WHO ARE THEY?
Teacher assistants, also sometimes referred to as
education assistants, are members of the school support
team. They work alongside teachers to facilitate the
inclusion and learning of students with special needs.
 WHAT DO THEY DO?
Teacher assistants play an important role in the
"implementation of educational programs for
students, performing tasks that can range from
helping with academic program activities to
reinforcing social /behaviour plans, to providing
personal care support" (SD27).

WHAT ARE THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES?

They are responsible for providing support to students
under the direction of the teacher. They may work with
students individually or in small groups to reinforce or
advance the educational program. Teacher assistants
may also help collect data and share information with
teachers "for the purpose of evaluating student
progress" (BC Ministry of Education, 2016).

WHAT ARE THEY NOT

RESPONSIBLE FOR?

They are not responsible for reporting to parents,

designing educational programs for students, and
evaluating and reporting on student progress.
HOW ARE THEY INVOLVED IN
SUPPORTING STUDENTS?
Here are some practical ways teacher assistants can provide
support to students:

Instructional Support:
help students with assignments or projects
implement strategies to promote students' success
read to students/ listen to students read
scribe for students
reinforce teaching concepts individually or in small groups

Behaviour Management:
supervise students during recess/lunch
reinforce appropriate behaviours
support development of positive peer relationships
monitor, track and support behaviour plans

Student Evaluation Support:

observe and collect data on progress
communicate student progress and social behaviours to
the teacher
perform informal checks of student progress and check for
completion of assignments
 Personal Care Assistance:
toileting
personal hygiene procedures
feeding
dressing
assisting with mobility (ex. lifting, transferring, positioning)
administering medications
seizure management

Overall Classroom Support:

prepare instructional materials, learning centres, displays
create modified materials (ex. visual schedules, social
stories)
supervise and support students on field trips
operate assistive equipment or technology
participate in meetings (with teachers and parents) to
review program planning and communicate student
learning
References
B.C. Ministry of Education (2016). Special Education Services: A Manual of Policies, procedures and
Guidelines. Retrieved from https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/education/administration/kindergarten-to-
grade-12/inclusive/special_ed_policy_manual.pdf

BCTF/ CUPE BC (2009). Roles and Responsibilities of Teachers and Teacher Assistants/ Education
Assistants. Retrieved from
https://bctf.ca/uploadedFiles/Public/Issues/InclusiveEd/RolesAndResponsibilitiesTeachersTAs.pdf

SD27 (n.d.). Education Assistant Handbook. Retrieved from http://www.sd27.bc.ca/wp-

content/uploads/2014/07/2015-12-16-educational-assistant-handbook.pdf