Teacher Aide

Work characteristics

A teacher aide or assistant is usually involved with assisting the teacher so that the teacher can get ample and more time to prepare lessons and pay individual attention to students. Teacher assistants help set up audio visual equipment and in supervising children during recess and in outings. They also help students who are in need of help due to understanding difficulties or physical or mental disabilities. They check grades, keep record, make sure that the homework is submitted on time and also help the teacher to prepare lessons.

Some only perform non instructional work such as monitoring a playground activity or lunchroom activity. They do not assist in academic activities. Others only perform clerical work such as setting up equipment and keeping records. While there are also those who do both.

Work Environment

Most work is done within school premises in classrooms and playground or lunch are. Timings are regular school timings though from time to time extra can be required to meet a certain target. Most Teacher aides work as part timers. They usually spend 40 hours a week in assisting teachers. Some work out of special schools for disabled children and some out of prep school.

Educational Requirements

A good high school grade along with 2 years of college proves to be a good qualification for a teacher aide. However some schools prefer special training along with the educational background in the form of a degree in early childhood development or child psychology courses. This is mostly in the case of school for children with physical disabilities or other mental illnesses. Some community colleges provide certificate courses specifically designed to train teacher aides.

Job Prospects and Salary Expectations

Growth in this sector of work is expected to grow as normally as most other profession in the next 10 years. People with 2 years of education over and above high school stand a good chance to be a part of this profession. People with knowledge and fluency in foreign languages will also have good opportunities in this field.

Median annual earnings of teacher assistants in May 2006 were $20,740. The middle 50 percent earned between $16,430 and $26,160. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $13,910, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $31,610.

Full-time workers usually receive health coverage and other benefits. Teacher assistants who work part time ordinarily do not receive benefits. In 2006, about 3 out of 10 teacher assistants belonged to unions—mainly the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association—which bargain with school systems over wages, hours, and the terms and conditions of employment.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.