Here are some clear, everyday examples of things that a teaching assistant (TA) typically does for their teacher and students:

In class and lesson time

  • Get the classroom ready before lessons: tidy desks, lay out worksheets, set up projectors or lab equipment, check resources are available.
  • Assist with delivering lessons: circulate during activities, clarify instructions, re‑explain concepts to students who look confused.
  • Work with small groups or one‑to‑one: sit with pupils who need extra help, run a small reading group, or support students with special educational needs.
  • Support behaviour management: help keep the class on task, redirect off‑task students, and apply agreed classroom rules consistently.
  • Take attendance and monitor participation: note who is present, who is engaging, and who might be struggling quietly.

A simple example: while the teacher is explaining a new math topic to the whole class, the TA might quietly move around, checking notebooks, answering quick questions, and sitting beside a student who needs step‑by‑step guidance.

Supporting the teacher’s workload

  • Help plan or prepare lessons: photocopy or create worksheets, prep visual aids, set up lab materials, help adapt activities for different ability levels.
  • Mark basic work and record grades: mark quizzes or homework, enter scores into grade books or systems, and keep simple records up to date.
  • Keep the classroom safe and organised: ensure materials are put away properly, floors are clear, equipment is stored correctly, and displays are maintained.
  • Manage course logistics: distribute and collect materials, post announcements in online systems, help obtain or organise course textbooks.
  • Attend staff or planning meetings: join meetings where student progress or upcoming units are discussed, and share observations from working closely with pupils.

Working directly with students

  • Provide extra academic support: reteach a concept to a student, guide them through practice problems, or check reading comprehension in a quieter corner of the room.
  • Support students with special educational needs or disabilities: help them stay organised, use assistive technology, or follow tailored learning strategies.
  • Monitor behaviour and wellbeing: notice when a student is upset, struggling to focus, or withdrawing, and let the teacher know.
  • Supervise non‑lesson times: watch students during lunch, recess, hallways, or on field trips, ensuring safety and appropriate behaviour.
  • Encourage motivation and confidence: give praise, gentle prompts, and reassurance, especially to quieter or less confident learners.

Outside the classroom

  • Hold or assist with office hours / help sessions (more common in colleges): answer questions, review assignments, and help students prepare for exams.
  • Proctor exams: hand out tests, watch the room for cheating, collect papers, and follow exam procedures.
  • Communicate with parents in some settings: pass on messages about progress or behaviour under the teacher’s guidance.
  • Join extracurriculars and trips: accompany clubs, outings, or sports events to help supervise and support student participation.

One quick way to think about it

A teaching assistant’s main jobs are:

  1. Support the teacher – by reducing admin workload, helping manage the class, and preparing materials so lessons run smoothly.
  1. Support the students – by giving extra academic help, watching out for behaviour or emotional needs, and making learning more accessible for everyone.

If you’d like, tell me your context (school vs university, subject, country), and I can give you tailored examples of what your TA might do day‑to‑day.