How to Write Your Teaching Assistant Personal Statement

Are you aspiring to land a rewarding teaching assistant job? Crafting a compelling teaching assistant personal statement is your chance to shine and make a lasting impression on your prospective employer. This document serves as your introduction to the teaching assistant role and offers a glimpse into your teaching skills, personal qualities, and passion for supporting children in their educational journey.

Whilst not all job applications require one, providing a personal statement is often required if you are considering applying for higher education, or enrolment in teacher training programmes.

For further advice, check out our Teaching Assistant Career Guide.

Key Points to Consider:

When creating your teaching assistant personal statement, it’s important to keep in mind the following key points:

1. Understand the Job Description

Before you begin writing, thoroughly read the teaching assistant job description. This will help you tailor your statement to align with the specific requirements and responsibilities of the position. For instance, is there an SEN specialism? Will any of your extra-curricular interests be a boost to the classroom?

2. Highlight Relevant Skills

Following on from this, your personal statement should showcase your relevant skills and abilities. Whether it’s classroom management, excellent communication skills, or expertise in child development, focus on skills that are directly applicable to the teaching assistant role.

3. Share Teaching Experience

If you have previous teaching experience, share it in your statement. This could include volunteer work, internships, or any other relevant teaching roles that demonstrate your keen desire to work in an educational environment.

4. Provide Examples

Support your claims with specific examples from your experience. For instance, if you’ve been involved in supporting students with special educational needs (SEN), discuss the strategies you’ve employed to assist them effectively and talk about how this led directly to their progress.

5. Showcase a range of Soft and Hard Skills

A well-rounded teaching assistant possesses a combination of ‘soft’ (interpersonal) and ‘hard’ (specific knowledge or experience) skills. These include excellent communication, behavior management, classroom activities planning, and the ability to plan and deliver lessons that cater to diverse learning styles.

6. Emphasize Classroom Management

Classroom management is a critical aspect of the teaching assistant role. Explain your approach to maintaining an orderly and engaging learning environment, which is essential for supporting both students and teachers.

Why not take our Prospero Learning course, ‘An Introduction to Behaviour Management for Teaching Assistants’?

7. Be Passionate and Positive

Express your passion for education and your enthusiasm for contributing to the growth and development of young learners. A teaching assistant with a genuine love for teaching can make a significant impact on the learning experience.

8. Tailor for Special Educational Needs

If you’re interested in working with SEN students, mention your willingness and ability to adapt your teaching methods to cater to their specific needs.

Prospero Learning Course: ‘An Introduction to SEND in the Classroom.’

9. Keep It Concise

While you want to provide all the necessary information, aim for a concise statement that is around two pages. This ensures that your prospective employer can quickly grasp your qualifications and suitability for the position.

Top Tips for Writing Your Teaching Assistant Personal Statement:

• Start Strong: Begin with a captivating introduction that immediately captures the reader’s attention and introduces your passion for teaching.
• Be Unique: Avoid generic statements and share what sets you apart from other applicants. Your personal experiences and perspective are valuable.
• Structure Matters: Divide your statement into clear paragraphs, focusing on your teacher skills, experience, and personal qualities. Headers can help with clarity.
• Proofread and Edit: Grammatical errors can detract from the impact of your statement. Proofread multiple times and consider seeking feedback from others.
• Connect with the School: Tailor your statement to the specific school and its values. Show that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in the position.
• Provide Examples: Back up your claims with concrete examples to demonstrate your expertise and experience.
• Stay Positive: Maintain a positive and enthusiastic tone throughout your statement. Showcase your excitement for the teaching assistant role.

Remember, your teaching assistant personal statement is your opportunity to showcase yourself as the perfect candidate for the position. Craft it carefully, and you’ll be well on your way to sending the perfect job application. Good luck! If you’re passionate about supporting children, get in touch today to find out about teaching assistant opportunities with Prospero Teaching.

Would you like career support? Are you looking for a new role for September?

You can view all our latest school vacancies here. Alternatively, register your interest here.