The success of many special needs students in the classroom can largely be contributed to the support and assistance they receive from parents, teachers and teaching assistants. The teaching assistants who provide one on one help for special needs students will be the first to say what a rewarding yet challenging job it can be. Special needs students can have a variety of needs that a teaching assistant is required to help them with. From classroom activities and homework to physical needs such as feeding and grooming, the teaching assistant is an important support for the special needs student.

In teaching assistant schools classroom support is stressed as being the goal of the position. Supporting the teacher and the students is what being a teaching assistant is all about. The TA's job focuses on supporting the teacher by performing tasks such as setting up equipment, making copies, assisting students with their work, supervising lunchtime or any other task the teacher might require. Some TAs are charged with helping a specific student throughout the school day every day while others may float around to those that are in need at any given time. This depends upon the situation.

Special needs teaching assistants are a vital part of any school's special education program. Students with special needs who have solid support and assistance can and do succeed in the classroom and beyond. Special needs teaching assistants perform a variety of tasks such as:

·    Assisting students with class work- sometimes the special needs student simply needs one on one help to understand the lessons and complete the assignments.

·    Helping those with physical needs- physical needs such as feeding, grooming, helping with activities in whatever way the child needs are part of a teaching assistant's job when they are helping in the field of special needs.

·    Bus ride assistance- riding with a special needs child on the bus to ensure the child is safe and his or her needs are met.

When training at teaching assistant schools classroom, those students who are going on to be teaching assistants learn about how to best support the teacher and the students of the classroom. General education in the field of teaching assistants teaches students to understand the role of the teaching assistant and how they help the teachers and the children on a day to day basis. While many teaching assistant positions do not require a degree or certification of any kind, if the student does obtain a degree there are often more options available to them career-wise.

Careers in the field of teaching assisting are solid careers for the future, for there are many teaching and teaching assistant positions available in many places. From schools to daycares to YMCAs to community centers and churches, positions for teaching assistants are many. The is especially true for those students who train in special education, learn a second language or learn about taking care of more medically fragile students. Specialization can be part of a teaching assistant schools classroom education, thus enhancing job prospects.