Teacher Aide Career Highlights

Salary
In May 2004, median annual earnings of teacher assistants were $19,410, while the middle 50 percent earned between $15,410 and $24,320, the lowest 10 percent earned less than $13,010, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $29,220.

Hours worked per week
Approximately 40 percent of teacher assistants work part time; however, even among full-time workers, about 16 percent work less than 40 hours per week. Most teacher assistants who provide educational instruction work the traditional 9- to 10-month school year.

Education required
Educational requirements for teacher assistants vary according to the State or school district. While some accept a high school diploma, others require some college training or vocational training. eLearningYellowPages.com lists many excellent accredited diploma programs for Teacher's Aides.

Employers generally require teacher assistants with instructional responsibilities to have more training than do those who do not perform teaching tasks. Federal regulations require teacher assistants with instructional responsibilities in Title I schools—those with a large proportion of students from low-income households—to meet one of three requirements: hold a 2-year or higher degree, have a minimum of 2 years of college, or pass a rigorous State or local assessment. Some schools require previous experience working with children and a valid driver’s license, and may require the applicant to pass a background check.

Some 2-year and community colleges and technical schools offer teaching assistant associate degree or certificate programs that prepare graduates to work as teacher assistants. However, most teacher assistants receive on-the-job training. Normally teacher assistants must know how to operate audiovisual equipment, keep records, and prepare instructional materials, as well as have adequate computer skills.

Growth Prospects
Hiring of teacher assistants is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2014.

Opportunities for teacher assistant jobs are expected to be best for persons with at least 2 years of formal education after high school, or some type of teaching career education. Persons who are fluent in a foreign language should be in particular demand in school systems with large numbers of students whose families do not speak English at home.

Teacher Assistant Responsibilities
Teacher assistants provide instructional and clerical support for classroom teachers, which allows teachers more time for lesson planning, teaching, and interacting with students. Teacher assistants tutor and assist children in learning class material using the teacher’s lesson plans, providing students with individualized attention; supervise students in the cafeteria, schoolyard, and hallways, or on field trips; record grades, set up equipment, and help prepare materials for instruction. Teacher assistants are sometimes called teacher aides or instructional aides, and some assistants refer to themselves as paraeducators or paraprofessionals.

Some teacher assistants perform only noninstructional or clerical tasks, such as monitoring nonacademic settings such as playground and lunchroom activities. Most teacher assistants, however, perform a combination of instructional and clerical duties, generally providing instructional reinforcement to children, under the direction and guidance of teachers. They may work with students individually or in small groups. At the secondary school level, teacher assistants often specialize in a certain subject, such as math or science, or work in computer laboratories, helping students using computers and educational software programs.

In addition to instructing, assisting, and supervising students, teacher assistants may grade tests and papers, check homework, keep health and attendance records, do typing and filing, and duplicate materials. They also stock supplies, operate audiovisual equipment, and keep classroom equipment in order.

Some teacher assistants work extensively with special education students. As schools become more inclusive, integrating special education students into general education classrooms, teacher assistants in both general education and special education classrooms increasingly assist students with disabilities by attending to a disabled student’s physical needs. This may include including feeding, teaching good grooming habits, or assisting students riding the schoolbus. They also provide personal attention to students with other special needs, such as those who speak English as a second language, or those who need remedial education. Teacher assistants help assess a student’s progress by observing performance and recording relevant data.

While the majority of teacher assistants work in primary and secondary educational settings, others work in preschools and other child care centers. Often one or two assistants will work with a lead teacher in order to better provide the individual attention that young children require. In addition to assisting in educational instruction, they also supervise the children at play and assist in feeding and other basic care activities.

Teacher assistants also work with infants and toddlers who have developmental delays or other disabilities. Under the guidance of a teacher or therapist, teacher assistants perform exercises or play games to help the child develop physically and behaviorally. Some teacher assistants work with young adults to help them obtain a job or to apply for community services for the disabled.

*Source: US Dept. of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook