Assistant Preschool Teacher Responsibilities

Speaking about the assistant preschool teacher responsibilities, we can say that these professionals are one of the most important personnel in a preschool. They are as important as the teachers because they help the budding children in the classroom activities and extracurricular activities.

Assistant preschool teachers, also known as teacher's assistant or teacher's aide, are mainly employed because sometimes it becomes difficult for the teacher to perform all the activities alone. The assistant preschool teachers' very basic responsibility is to liaise between the teacher and the students in a classroom.

During a class, an assistant preschool teacher distributes notebooks, and other stationary to the students. He/she collects copies of homework and answer sheets from the students. While the teacher is absent or away, the assistant preschool teacher is responsible for maintaining a disciplined environment in the classroom and instructs children on a specific subject if required. He/she keeps the students engaged in other activities during teacher's absence.

Assistant preschool teacher's responsibilities also include grading students and performing clerical and administrative tasks. He/she may be asked to communicate with the parents of the children and inform them regarding the performance of child on a regular basis.

The assistant preschool teacher is accountable to perform some or all of the following duties in a preschool:

• Developing curriculum and schedule: An assistant preschool teacher participates in the development of curriculum and yearly schedule of classes and extracurricular activities in a preschool.

• Clean and arrange classroom: An assistant preschool teacher cleans and arranges desk, chairs, cupboards and other fixture in the classroom. He/she must collect any stationary or bags that might be left by the students and return it to the parents or administration.

• Monitoring behavior and performance: An assistant preschool teacher monitors the behavior and performance of students in classroom and premises. He/she reports any incident of unexpected behavior of the students to the authorities. He/she also encourages the children to mingle with classmates and participate in classroom and extracurricular activities.

• First aid and medical assistance: An assistant preschool teacher has to provide first aid and apply bandage or ointments to the children who get hurt or feel unwell while in the school premises.

• Communication with parents/guardians: Assistant preschool teacher is often required to communicate with the parents/guardians through telephone or e-mail and inform them about student's behavior, grades, performance or any incident of concern.

Assistant preschool teacher responsibilities have a direct impact on the learning and development of children in a preschool. They are always required in any preschool and look after the requirements of the children. Assistant preschool teachers also participate in the various extracurricular activities with the children and motivate them to perform better in each activity.

Skills of an Assistant Preschool Teacher

The profession of teaching requires individuals with high levels of patience and compassion so that they can work well with a large number of children. An assistant preschool teacher should be able to instruct the children in the absence of teacher and maintain a playful yet disciplined environment.

Becoming an Assistant Preschool Teacher

An assistant preschool teacher is expected to hold a certification or bachelor's degree in education. Experience of working with children in a kindergarten or daycare facility is advantageous as you learn how to relate with a large number of kids and pay attention to individual children.

Career Scope for Assistant Preschool Teacher

An assistant preschool teacher can earn anywhere around $35,000 to $60,000 depending on the size of the school and number of classes they assist in. This job is an excellent opportunity to learn the skills of teaching and handling the administrative tasks that helps in further advancement in teaching profession.

Assistant preschool teacher responsibilities cover the various tasks that might hamper the job of the teacher. These professionals serve for a noble cause and are a source of knowledge and motivation to the children and support for the teacher and administration.