If you're curious about becoming a teaching assistant in the state of Virginia, this article will explain the important steps and requirements needed. Become one of the 4,070 teachers assistants employed in 2019 in West Virginia, according the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Requirements for West Virginia Teachers' Aides
| Average Salary for Teachers' Aides in West Virginia (2019)* | $25,260 |
| Required Degree | High School Diploma or Equivalent |
| Required Field | Any |
| Testing Requirements | Core Academic Skills for Educators exams, West Virginia State Competency Exam for Classroom Aides |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Step 1: Complete Education Requirements
Teachers' aides, or paraprofessionals, in West Virginia have a bit of a unique set-up. While a high school diploma or equivalent is all that is necessary to find a position as an aide, you must complete other education requirements to keep the position and earn licensure. For instance, you will need six credit hours completed in one of the core areas: English, math, science, or social studies. You will also need to complete three semester hours in classroom management, special education, computer literacy, human growth and development and other electives.
Step 2: Complete Required Exams
One of the primary requirements for teachers' aides is that they have background knowledge in reading writing, and math. This can be completed through three semester hours of each subject, but it can also be proven through the Core Academic Skills for Educators exams. These are three different exams offered through Praxis on each subject: math, reading, and writing. Each of these exams is set up differently and requires different passing scores.
| Exam | Testing Time | Questions | Passing Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 85 Minutes | 56 multiple-choice | 156 |
| Writing | 100 Minutes | 40 Multiple choice, two essays | 162 |
| Math | 85 Minutes | 56 multiple-choice and numeric entry | 150 |
You will also need to complete a state competency exam, which will be set up by the county and school district. It will be a written and performance assessment. You will also be provided with a day of training prior to the exam.
Step 3: Fingerprint and Background Check
Finally, once you have completed all of your education and testing requirements, you'll need to also provide a fingerprint for a background check. You can do this using paper fingerprints; however, if you go to a local LiveScan location for a digital fingerprint, your results will be returned more quickly. With these fingerprints, the FBI and the state police will run a criminal background check on you.
West Virginia Teachers' Aides Certification Resources
Though you may not feel you need it, we all need some help with studying for exams. The links below will take you to a resource full of study guides and test prep materials to get you ready for those core exams.
- Prepare for the Praxis Exam
- Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators - Combined Test (5751): Study Guide & Test Prep
