Skip to content

Teaching Assistants, Special Education

Educational Instruction and Library (25-9043)

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.

At a Glance

Teaching Assistants, Special Education. Top skills: Dependability, Integrity, Microsoft PowerPoint.

Median Annual Wage

Not available

Projected Growth (2024-34)

Not available

Annual Openings

N/A

Typical Education

Varies

Skills & Requirements

Skills (9)

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

3.9
Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

3.8
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

3.8
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

3.6
Service Orientation

Actively looking for ways to help people.

3.6
Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

3.6
Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

3.6
Instructing

Teaching others how to do something.

3.5
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

3.4

Knowledge (2)

English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

3.5
Psychology

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

3.4

Abilities (11)

Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

4.0
Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

4.0
Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

3.8
Speech Recognition

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

3.8
Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

3.8
Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

3.6
Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

3.6
Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

3.4
Fluency of Ideas

The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

3.3
Information Ordering

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

3.3
Written Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

3.3

Technology (5)

Microsoft PowerPoint

Category: Presentation software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Office software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Word

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Outlook

Category: Electronic mail software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5

Work Activities (12)

Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

4.3
Assisting and Caring for Others

Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

4.1
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

3.9
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

3.8
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

3.7
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

3.6
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

3.6
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others

Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

3.6
Coaching and Developing Others

Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

3.6
Training and Teaching Others

Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

3.4
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

3.4
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

3.3

Work Styles (4)

Dependability

A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

5.0
Integrity

A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

5.0
Cooperation

A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.

4.3
Social Orientation

A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.

3.6

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

Explore Key Skills

Frequently Asked Questions

Want to build these skills?

Sign up to find courses that teach these skills, track your progress, and build a skills passport aligned to Teaching Assistants, Special Education.

Get Started Free