When I was in fifth grade, my mom began working at my school as a teaching assistant. She attended to classroom needs, assisted with routine tasks like grading papers and making copies, and occasionally stood in as a substitute teacher.
I loved it. My classmates came to know my mom by name, greeting her in the halls. Often, we would walk to and from school together as we lived nearby. It was an experience that brought my mom and me closer together and enhanced our relationship. It also filled our economic needs.
Have you considered employment at your child’s school as a teaching assistant? As a parent, you already have much of the relevant experience in childrearing that you will need as a teaching assistant, especially if you are working with the younger grades. Below, we will consider how assistant teaching can fit into your busy schedule.
Blending Teaching With Your Schedule
As a mom, you’re busy. As a working mom, you’re no doubt even busier. There are many ways, though, that working as a teacher’s assistant could enhance your work-life balance. Consider the following examples to see whether they are true in your case.
Streamlining the Commute
In school, I was always a “car rider.” Before my mother became a teacher’s assistant, she had to get up early and make a long commute of nearly an hour. When I was very small, she would drop me off at my grandmother’s house on the way to work, and she would take me to school. Later, mom dropped me off at school where I waited for the school day to begin.
When she accepted the teaching assistant position, our morning routine was simplified. Her commute was much shorter as we lived about two blocks from the school. She didn’t have to involve a third party in getting me there; we could go together, whether on foot or by car.
The same morning streamlining applies if your children generally take the bus to school. Rather than waiting for the bus with them, you can travel together. Additionally, afternoon schedules can be eased, even if they include a lot of extracurricular activities because mothers and children are already in the same place.
No Need for Daycare
If your children are school-aged, working as a teaching assistant can eliminate the need for and expense of childcare. Your workday begins and ends roughly when theirs does. This is in contrast to many jobs which require a few hours of childcare until the parents get off in the evening.
Teaching and Occupying Your Own Children
You no doubt have a keen interest in your own children’s education and helping them succeed in school. You likely work with them at home to improve their reading and other skills, even if they have not yet started school.
As a teaching assistant, you will be familiar with the curricula for the grade or grades you work with. You’ll also quite literally handle worksheets, alphabet crafts, and other learning activities as you prepare them for the students. Ask the teacher you work with if you could make a copy or take home extras to use with your own children. They’ll likely be happy to oblige, and you’ll be providing your kids with a fun learning activity to chase away boredom and help them succeed.
Furthering Your Career
If you are interested in a career in education, working in a school is a great place to network and receive encouragement. You might start small by completing online training for teaching assistants. Such courses will familiarize you with classroom methodologies and other aspects of teaching.
You may discover that you have a deep love and talent for teaching. Working with students could inspire you to pursue licensure as a teacher.
If you have a high school diploma or associate degree, the next step may be to earn a bachelor’s degree in education. If you have a four-year degree in another subject, you can pursue an alternative certification program. Your school colleagues will no doubt coach you through the process of certification exams and applying for a teaching license.
Your schedule as a teacher’s assistant can be a real boon if you decide to go back to school. Since the school day typically concludes between 2 and 3:30 pm, you may be able to take online or in-person classes in the evenings to receive the degrees and certificates you need.
Key Takeaways
Achieving a healthy work-life balance can be more challenging when kids are in the mix. As a working mom, assistant teaching could be a viable option for you. It will help you align your schedule with that of your children, allowing you to spend more time with them and easing the strain of finding (and paying for) childcare. It will also equip you to teach your own children and provide time to pursue your own higher education goals.
