what to write in a personal statement for a teaching assistant job

Examples of a Teaching Assistant's Personal Statement

A teaching assistant position gives you the chance to work with kids, even if you don't have a teaching license. The application and hiring process varies, but it may include writing a personal statement covering your beliefs about education, discussing your teaching skills as well as other relevant information that highlights your qualifications. Taking time to craft a well-written statement can put you ahead of the competition, when applying for teaching assistant positions.

Succinct Opening

Your entire personal statement should be to the point. A large block of text may cause the hiring manager to skim or skip the section entirely. Personal statements typically start off with a simple description of your job title as a teaching assistant, how much experience you have in education, and the expertise you have or specific position you're seeking. This is your first impression and your chance to hook the hiring manager, so choose powerful words that make an impact.

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"Energetic teaching assistant with two years of classroom experience in supporting elementary students with reading, writing, math and science activities."

Education and Teaching Experience

Describing your training and education in the field shows that you're qualified and knowledgeable about how to work with students. If you have experience in the classroom as a teaching assistant, highlight that work to show that you're ready to work with students. Other experience outside of the classroom can also fit into the personal statement, if it somehow relates to teaching or can translate to work as a teaching assistant.

"While completing my studies in elementary education, I gained knowledge on child development, teaching strategies and behavior management. I completed three practicum experiences in elementary classrooms, which gave me the opportunity to plan lessons, manage behaviors in the classroom and support student learning."

Strengths and Skills

The goal of your personal statement is to set you apart from other applicants. To do that, you want to highlight your special skills and strengths that relate to being a teaching assistant. Some people excel at connecting with students. Others have excellent communication skills with parents and colleagues. Some might know how to support kids who struggle with the learning activities.

"As a teaching assistant, I have a unique ability to see where students need support, enabling me to reteach the ideas in a way the students can understand. I also communicate well with lead teachers and with other teaching assistants, to support a team atmosphere."

Reasons for Wanting the Position

Your personal statement usually includes a section that explains why you want the position. It's your chance to emphasize why you're a good fit for the role and what you can offer the school.

"This position offers the challenging environment I enjoy, while allowing me to work with elementary students, which is the level in which I have the most experience. I welcome the opportunity to support the classroom teacher, while continuing to add to my experience."

• University of Kent Careers and Employability Service: PGCE Personal Statements
• Purdue Online Writing Lab: Writing the Personal Statement
• Fish4Jobs: Teaching Assistant Personal Statement
• Total Jobs: How to Write a Personal Statement

Based in the Midwest, Shelley Frost has been writing parenting and education articles since 2007. Her experience comes from teaching, tutoring and managing educational after school programs. Frost worked in insurance and software testing before becoming a writer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education with a reading endorsement.

Special Education and Inclusive Learning

Writing a Personal Statement for a Teaching Assistant Post

Introduction..

A key part of the application process for a Teaching Assistant job is the personal statement. A personal statement is a document that tells the panel who are doing the shortlisting about your motivations for wanting to become a Teaching Assistant. This guide will teach you how to write an effective personal statement for a Teaching Assistant job in a UK mainstream or special school. We will discuss the different components of a personal statement, provide tips for writing a persuasive application, and give you a couple of sample personal statements for a teaching assistant role in a special school. By following this guide, you will be prepared to write the perfect personal statement for a teaching assistant vacancy.

1. What is a Teaching Assistant?

A Teaching Assistant is an essential role for supporting the educational provision in any school. I would argue it is a vital role in any school but especially in special schools The responsibilities of a Teaching Assistant can vary depending on the school, but generally include assisting teachers in the classroom, leading small group or 1:1 interventions, such as phonics or maths. There will probably be times where a TA will take the whole class for short periods. When writing a personal statement for a Teaching Assistant job, it is important to be honest and upfront about your skills and experience. Even now schools may receive multiple applications for each advertised post so it is important to provide compelling reasons why you are the best candidate for the position.  If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you might consider hiring professionals to write my essay with best writers to ensure your statement shines.

To help you write a personal statement that will stand out, we have created this teaching assistant personal statement guide. This guide contains tips on how to write a personal statement that will be both interesting and informative, as well as tips on how to make your candidacy stand out.

If you like this post and want to know more we have an in-depth e-book with more examples, templates and information about writing a personal statement.

Teaching Assistant Recruitment Articles

I would recommend having a read of these articles that discuss other elements of the Teaching Assistant recruitment process.

• Teaching Assistant Interview Questions – Read Here
• How Teaching Assistants can motivate pupils to learn – Read Here
• What are the most important qualities of a Teaching Assistant – Read Here
• The Teaching Assistant Guide – Read Here

2. What qualities are necessary for a successful Teaching Assistant application?

There are a few qualities that are necessary to include for a successful Teaching Assistant application. First and foremost, you must be a highly motivated individual who is looking for a new opportunity to use their skills and knowledge. Secondly, you must be a team player who is able to work well under pressure and be positive. Finally, you must have excellent communication and organisational skills.

We have written a whole article on answering the question on the qualities of a great teaching assistant – here . If you can demonstrate all of these qualities, then you are well on your way to being a successful Teaching Assistant applicant. However, if you don’t have any teaching experience or experience working with SEN students, it will be difficult to show that you are the right candidate for this position. In order to make a strong application, you will need to gather as much information as possible about the school and the position.

3. What should be included in a Teaching Assistant Personal Statement?

When writing a personal statement, you will want to include information that will help the school make an educated decision about hiring you. This includes your educational and work experience, your motivations for wanting to be a teaching assistant, and your skills. Most schools will include a Job Description and Person Specification with the advert. Use these to your advantage. Try and mention each of the elements in the person specification in your personal statement. When writing your personal statement, be honest and concise. Try to be specific about why you would be a good fit for the position and what you can bring to the table. You should also be sure to list any teaching experience you have and any workshops or courses you have taken that relate to special education. I would recommend an absolute maximum of 1 sides of A4. Try to stick to 1/2 side or about 200 words. This is because the admin and leadership team shortlisting need to be able to quickly see who fits the criteria. You can fill in the details at interview.

List your Experience

List any volunteer work you have done in the field of SEN or teaching. This may include supporting playgroups, running a sports club or even parent groups. This will help to demonstrate your dedication and interest in the field. Be sure to include your references when submitting your application. These have to include your last and current employers. You can usually request that they are not contacted before the interview if you haven’t told them you are looking for another job.

When writing your statement, be sure to focus on your reasons for wanting to teach in that specific school. This will show that you are passionate about the field and have a good understanding of the students and the school. It will also show that you are committed to helping the school achieve its goals. Read their website, look at their tweets or facebook posts. This will give you an insight into what they value and are proud of. You can mention some of these nuggets of information in your personal statement i.e “It is clear from the pictures of your Sports Day that the school’s values of inclusion align with my own.”

Summary Of What to Include in Your TA Personal Statement:

Here is a summary of the key points you want to include when writing a teaching assistant personal statement:

• The personal statement highlights your achievements, experience, and interests. It allows you to showcase your personality and motivation.
• The opening paragraph briefly introduces yourself, your years of experience, and your accomplishments.
• Next, describe your relevant education and how it aligns with the role. Mention academic achievements.
• Detail your professional experiences such as tutoring, sports coaching or teaching, that relate to the teaching assistant role.
• List hard and soft skills that will make you effective as a teaching assistant.
• Conclude by explaining your motivations for wanting the position and how you can contribute. Thank them for considering your application.
• Align your statement with the job description and provide examples of fulfilling similar needs.
• Keep it succinct – under two pages using bullet points rather than long paragraphs.
• Create an impactful, concise opening paragraph to hook the reader.

4. Tips for writing a High Impact Personal statement for a Teaching Assistant

Having read hundreds of application forms and personal statements there are a few things to keep in mind when writing a personal statement for a Teaching Assistant post.

• Sell your skills – word things in ways that show you are proud of what you can bring to the role. “I am adept at finding ways to support pupils to engage with learning”. They may then follow this up with questions such as “Give me an example…” at interview.
• Sleep on it. If you are struggling to think of things to include read the Teaching Assistant job description then take a break. You will come up with better ideas sleeping on it rather than staring at the page.
• Make sure you have used capital letters correctly especially in the Information bits of the form. This seems to be a common error on online forms.
• Name the school you are applying for in the body of the text. This shows you are not just copy and pasting the same form to multiple schools.
• Personal experience is valuable – what makes you want to support teaching and learning in a school? Your own experiences? I know many TA’s who went into the job because of family members with SEN.
• Put spaces between paragraphs – it really helps the people reading.
• Fill out every box on the form
• Get a sensible email address – especially if your is um… a little edgy. GMail and outlook are free.
• Finally, be sure to proofread your statement carefully. This will help you catch any errors and make sure that your statement is easy to read and understand.

5. Key points to remember.

When you are applying for a Teaching Assistant role in a special school, the personal statement is one of the most important components of your application. You want to make sure that you present yourself in the best possible light. When writing your personal statement, you want to focus on why you are the perfect candidate for the job. What qualities do you bring to the table that make you the best candidate for this position? How can you describe your strengths and weaknesses? What are your goals for the future? Be sure to outline your teaching experience, what you are specifically good at and why, and how your teaching experience will benefit the students in the school.

There are a number of books that can help guide your thinking and gain insight into the role. Including How to be an Outstanding Primary Teaching Assistant by Emma Davie.

The newly released (2023) Working Effectively With Your Teaching Assistant by Sara Alston is currently on offer via the Bloomsbury website .

6. 2 Example Teaching Assistant Personal Statements

Don’t just copy and paste these add some of your own personality!

I am an enthusiastic graduate seeking a teaching assistant position at Park Primary School where I can apply my knowledge of child development and experience engaging young learners. During my undergraduate studies in Education at Durham University, I discovered my passion for fostering student growth. 

My practical experiences allowed me to develop skills in scaffolding instruction, managing behaviour, and boosting student confidence. Drawing on my strong interpersonal abilities and creativity, I am committed to supporting students’ diverse needs. 

Park Primary’s dedication to making learning enjoyable resonates with me. I would be honoured to join a team that nurtures students’ curiosity and emotional growth alongside academic skills. 

With 2 years of experience as a one-to-one tutor for pupils with special educational needs, I am eager to expand my skills as a teaching assistant at Swan Academy. I studied Childhood and Youth Studies at the University of Manchester and relished modules on inclusive environments and differentiated learning. 

My tutoring role enabled me to gain expertise in adapting lessons for neurodiverse students and employing sensory integration techniques. I built a strong rapport with pupils by incorporating their interests into activities. At Swan Academy, I would apply my expertise in personalised learning and collaboration to promote equal access, confidence, and achievement amongst students. 

Supporting Swan’s diverse student body is perfectly aligned with my values and aspirations as an educator.

Template Statement to Adapt

I am a [your experience level] teaching assistant currently seeking a position at [school name]. With [number] years of classroom experience and a [degree] in [subject], I am committed to supporting impactful learning experiences as a teaching assistant. 

During my studies at [university name], I [note any relevant experiences, courses, extracurriculars] which allowed me to develop key skills in [list relevant hard and soft skills]. [Optional: As part of my degree, I undertook teaching placements at X school, where I gained first-hand classroom experience]. 

In previous teaching assistant roles at [school names], my responsibilities included [list 2-3 main duties]. Through this experience, I gained expertise in [list skills gained]. At [school name], I am eager to leverage my background in [subjects/specialities] and my strengths in [strengths] to help students thrive. 

The teaching assistant opportunity strongly appeals to me due to [school name’s] reputation for [positive qualities] and commitment to [mission or values]. I would welcome the chance to support such a [collaborative/student-focused/high-achieving] learning community. Please accept my enthusiastic application for this role which is perfectly aligned with my dedication to student development and education.

7. Useful websites and resources for Teaching Assistants

There are many websites and resources available to a prospective Teaching Assistant, but the most important thing is to use the right ones for your specific situation. Facebook groups can be brilliant for sharing ideas. Some groups are used by staff to vent and can be really demotivating so find one that suits you. Some helpful websites and resources for teaching assistants include:

Free Courses for TAs – This article has lots of free, short courses suitable for teaching assistants. Undertaking and mentioning these in your personal statement or application may be a good way to get noticed if you have limited experience. the courses include, child development, SEN and subject specific courses.

Lots of schools engage with the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) research. They have released a guidance report on effective use of Teaching Assistants . I would recommend reading this if you are looking at applying for a role as a TA. The poster is visual and easy to read.

NASEN are a brilliant organisation for those working in schools and supporting SEN learners. They have a range of mini-guides that are accessible, including Identifying and Supporting Children with SEND in the Early Years: PVI and governing body-led early years settings Mini Guide. All free.

In addition to all these free online resources, do not forget about the importance of protecting your online activity. Consider using a dual VPN   for an additional level of security when working in an online environment

8. Conclusion

In conclusion, writing a personal statement for a Teaching Assistant job in a school can be a daunting task. By following the tips outlined in this guide, you will be able to produce a statement that will have a good chance of securing the interview.

We hope you enjoyed our article about writing a personal statement for a Teaching Assistant job in a school. A Teaching Assistant role is a great opportunity to gain experience in a specific field and to learn more about the school that you are applying to. By following these steps, you will be sure to stand out from the other applicants and make the Teaching Assistant selection process simle for you and those shortlisting. Thank you for reading, and we wish you the best of luck in your job hunt.

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Guide to Writing a Unique Personal Statement for a Teaching Assistant

Table of Contents

Are you looking for a personal statement for a teaching assistant job? Writing a good personal statement is essential to your job application and can make the difference between being invited to an interview or not. 

In this blog, we’ll provide some top tips on writing a standout personal statement. As well as some practical examples you can use when writing yours. Read on to find out more! 

What Is a Personal Statement for a Teaching Assistant?

 A personal statement is a short paragraph in your CV or job application that outlines who you are, why you’re applying . And also, why you are the ideal candidate for the job based on your skills and abilities. It should be to each position you apply for – this way, employers can quickly see how well-suited you are to the job. 

Steps to Writing Personal Statements for Teaching Assistant Jobs

1. highlight your experience.

 Focus on the experience that makes you the best candidate for this position. It’s important to show employers how your previous job roles, qualifications, and extracurricular activities have prepared you for a teaching assistant role. 

2. Show Your Enthusiasm

Use positive language to demonstrate your keenness and commitment to the role. Employers want to see that you’re genuinely passionate about teaching and helping others learn and develop. 

3. Demonstrate Relevant Skills

Consider what skills make you an ideal candidate for this role (e.g., communication, problem-solving, organization), and include examples of when you’ve used these skills. 

Writing Tips for a Teaching Assistant’s Personal Statement

• Keep it concise – don’t exceed two pages, but ensure you include all the necessary information about yourself. Make every word count! 
• Focus on why you want the role. Be specific about why you chose this particular job. And what skills or experience you have that makes you the perfect candidate.
• Demonstrate your commitment – explain how you’re prepared to go the extra mile for this job and why it is essential to you. 
• Show your personality – let your unique qualities shine through to stand out from other applicants.
• Proofread -read your message until you are satisfied that there are no typos or grammatical errors.

Personal Statement Examples for Teaching Assistant

I recently earned a degree in primary education, and I’m enthusiastic about changing the lives of kids. My experiences are working in an educational environment, teaching assistant roles, and leading my classroom activities. I am a patient and kind instructor with strong organizational abilities and the ability to get things done under pressure. I possess the skills needed to become a successful teaching assistant and can bring enthusiasm, dedication, and energy to this role. 

I am an experienced teaching assistant with five years experience in primary schools. During this time, I have developed excellent communication skills when working with teachers, parents, carers, and other professionals. I have also worked on various projects within the school. Such as developing new resources for use in class, helping children with special needs, and leading activities outside the classroom. My biggest strength is building relationships with all pupils, regardless of their background or ability level. This has enabled me to form strong bonds with them, which has helped me to support their learning better. 

1. What Is a Teaching Assistant?

Teaching assistants help teachers with children’s learning. They gain experience of supporting children as part of their learning. This enables them to plan lessons and work effectively in different schools.

2. What Is the Training Course Like?

The training is a combination of classroom support and classroom management. The classroom support aspect has been designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge required to support children’s learning in the classroom. The classroom management aspect prepares you in case you are asked to assist in the classroom.

We hope this blog has provided valuable tips and examples of writing a standout personal statement for teaching assistant jobs. Remember – make sure your personal statement is tailored to the specific role and showcases why you are the perfect candidate! 

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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