Teaching assistants are essential members of the educational team, providing valuable instructional, behavioral, and organizational support that helps students succeed academically and socially. Effective teaching assistants do more than assist with classroom tasks—they reinforce instruction, foster student independence, collaborate with teachers, and contribute to positive learning environments while maintaining professional and ethical standards. Understanding these responsibilities allows teaching assistants to maximize their impact while supporting the work of certified educators.

This 5-hour professional development course provides teaching assistants with practical, evidence-based strategies for strengthening their effectiveness in today's classrooms. Participants will examine their professional roles and responsibilities, develop instructional support techniques that enhance student learning, explore strategies for promoting student independence, strengthen communication and collaboration with classroom teachers, and maintain appropriate professional boundaries and ethical practices. Through reflection, practical applications, and resource development, participants will leave with classroom-ready tools that enhance instructional support, improve collaboration, and promote positive student outcomes.

Throughout the course, participants will examine:

• The roles and responsibilities of teaching assistants within New York State schools

• Strategies for supporting teacher-led instruction effectively

• Reinforcing learning while encouraging student engagement

• Promoting student independence through effective prompting and support techniques

• Using least-to-most prompting strategies to foster self-reliance

• Observing and communicating student progress professionally

• Building effective communication and collaborative relationships with classroom teachers

• Supporting students with diverse academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs

• Maintaining professional boundaries and ethical responsibilities

• Protecting student confidentiality and following school policies

• Professional communication with colleagues and families

• Developing practical classroom resources that strengthen instructional support and collaboration

Participants will reflect on their current professional practices while developing instructional support plans, communication tools, student independence strategies, and professional action plans that can be immediately implemented within their educational settings.

Assignments are designed to be practical, immediately applicable, and directly connected to the daily responsibilities of teaching assistants.

Special attention is given to helping teaching assistants strengthen their instructional skills while maintaining appropriate professional roles, fostering positive relationships, and encouraging student independence.

Participants will develop practical strategies that improve collaboration, support inclusive learning environments, promote ethical practice, and contribute to the academic, social, and emotional success of all students.