Becoming a Teaching Assistant

Teaching Assistant Positions General Information

The Niskayuna Central School District employs teaching assistants in a variety of capacities throughout the district at all educational levels in all schools. Teaching assistants generally assist with instruction in various classroom settings.

This page is intended to provide guidance on how to become certified. Individuals who do not possess a teaching assistant certificate may be employed by the school district on as a daily substitute at approved substitute rate while they take the steps necessary to become certified.

Fingerprinting

All applicants for a teaching assistant certificate and/or employment in the Niskayuna Central School District must undergo a fingerprint supported criminal history background check before working for the school district as a teaching assistant (even as a substitute).

This background check usually takes a few days, but can take longer if there is an issue that requires further review by New York State Education Department (NYSED). The Office of Human Resources makes the arrangements for the fingerprinting process. Any questions about the process should be directed to the Office of Human Resources.

Certification Requirements

• Education: High school diploma or GED – All individuals must have a high school diploma or a GED to obtain a teaching assistant certification.
  • Directions on how to submit a high school diploma or GED are available on the NYSED website.
  • Higher education may be substituted for a high school diploma or a GED on the NYSED website.
• Certification Exam: Foundations of Classroom Support and Instruction or Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills exam – All individuals must take and pass an assessment of teaching assistant skills exam. This is an online test given at certain local testing locations.
  • For further information, please visit the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE) website. (Cost $49-54).
• Workshop: Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) – The DASA course is a six-hour in-person or virtual training workshop.
  • Some providers are Capital Region BOCES (cost $0), Washington Saratoga Warren Hamilton Essex BOCES (cost $100), Galway Central School District (cost $60).
  • Additional details about the course are available on the NYSED website. (Cost $0-100).
• Workshop: Child Abuse Identification and Reporting – This is a two-hour course that may be taken online at your own computer.
  • The course is available on the New York State Mandated Reporter Resource Center website. (Cost $0).
• Workshop: School Violence Prevention and Intervention – This is a two-hour course that may be taken online.
  • Some providers are available on the NYSED website. (Cost $25-$49.95).

Application Instructions

It is recommended that you complete as many of the above requirements (in the order listed) before submitting your application for certification. To apply for the certification, please follow the following instructions:

• Apply online through the New York State Office of Teaching Initiatives website for a teaching assistant certificate.
• Click on the “Teach Online Services” icon in the left menu. If you do not have an account, you must create one.
• Once the login is complete, click “Apply for Certificate.”
  • The area of Interest is “Teaching Assistants”
  • The subject area is “Teaching Assistant”
  • The grade level is “Pre K-12 – All Grades”
  • The title is “Teaching Assistant”
  • The type of certificate is “Initial TA Certificate”
  • Finally, select the Capital Region BOCES to review your application

Questions

For further information on how the become a teaching assistant, please contact the Niskayuna Central School District Office of Human Resources at (518) 377-4666, ext. 50736 or the Capital Region BOCES Regional Certification Officer at (518) 862-4942.