Teacher Assistants

Teacher Assistants Earnings

Median annual earnings of teacher assistants in 2002 were $18,660. The middle 50 percent earned between $14,880 and $23,600. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $12,900, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $29,050.

Teacher assistants who work part time ordinarily do not receive benefits. Full-time workers usually receive health coverage and other benefits.

In 2002, 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.

Teacher Assistants Nature of Work

Teacher assistants provide instructional and clerical support for classroom teachers, allowing teachers more time for lesson planning and teaching. Teacher assistants tutor and assist children in learning class material using the teacherŐs lesson plans, providing students with individualized attention. Teacher assistants also supervise students in the cafeteria, schoolyard, and hallways, or on field trips. They record grades, set up equipment, and help prepare materials for instruction. Teacher assistants also are called teacher aides or instructional aides. Some assistants refer to themselves as paraeducators or paraprofessionals.

Some teacher assistants perform exclusively noninstructional or clerical tasks, such as monitoring nonacademic settings. Playground and lunchroom attendants are examples of such assistants. Most teacher assistants, however, perform a combination of instructional and clerical duties. They generally provide instructional reinforcement to children, under the direction and guidance of teachers. They work with students individually or in small groups—listening while students read, reviewing or reinforcing class lessons, or helping them find information for reports. At the secondary school level, teacher assistants often specialize in a certain subject, such as math or science. Teacher assistants often take charge of special projects and prepare equipment or exhibits, such as for a science demonstration. Some assistants work in computer laboratories, helping students using computers and educational software programs.

In addition to instructing, assisting, and supervising students, teacher assistants 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.

Many teacher assistants work extensively with special education students. As schools become more inclusive, integrating special education students into general education classrooms, teacher assistants in general education and special education classrooms increasingly assist students with disabilities. Teacher assistants attend to a disabled studentŐs physical needs, 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 from disadvantaged families, those who speak English as a second language, or those who need remedial education. Teacher assistants help assess a studentŐs progress by observing performance and recording relevant data.

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.

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Teacher Assistants Job Outlook

Employment of teacher assistants is expected to grow somewhat faster than the average for all occupations through 2012. Although school enrollments are projected to increase only slowly over the next decade, the student population for which teacher assistants are most needed—special education students and students for whom English is not their first language—is expected to increase more rapidly than the general school-age population. Legislation that requires students with disabilities and non-native English speakers to receive an education "equalÓ to that of other students, will generate jobs for teacher assistants to accommodate these studentsŐ special needs. Children with special needs require much personal attention, and special education teachers, as well as general education teachers with special education students, rely heavily on teacher assistants.

Additionally, a greater focus on educational quality and accountability, as required by the No Child Left Behind Act, is likely to lead to an increased demand for teacher assistants. Growing numbers of teacher assistants will be needed to help teachers prepare students for standardized testing and to provide extra assistance to students who perform poorly on standardized tests. An increasing number of afterschool programs and summer programs also will create new opportunities for teacher assistants. In addition to those stemming from employment growth, numerous job openings will arise as assistants transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force to assume family responsibilities, to return to school, or for other reasons characteristic of occupations that require limited formal education and offer relatively low pay.

Opportunities for teacher assistant jobs are expected to be best for persons with at least 2 years of formal education after high school. Persons who can speak a foreign language should be in particular demand in school systems with large numbers of students whose families do not speak English at home. Demand is expected to vary by region of the country. Areas in which the population and school enrollments are expanding rapidly, such as many communities in the South and West, should have rapid growth in the demand for teacher assistants.

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Teacher Assistants Significant Points

Teacher Assistants Training

Educational requirements for teacher assistants vary by State or school district and range from a high school diploma to some college training, although employers increasingly prefer applicants with some college training. Teacher assistants with instructional responsibilities usually require more training than do those who do not perform teaching tasks. In addition, as a result of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, teacher assistants in Title 1 schools—those with a large proportion of students from low-income households—will be required to meet one of three requirements: have a minimum of 2 years of college, hold a 2-year or higher degree, or pass a rigorous state and local assessment. Many schools also require previous experience in working with children and a valid driverŐs license. Some schools may require the applicant to pass a background check.

A number of 2-year and community colleges offer associate degree programs that prepare graduates to work as teacher assistants. However, most teacher assistants receive on-the-job training. Those who tutor and review lessons with students must have a thorough understanding of class materials and instructional methods, and should be familiar with the organization and operation of a school. Teacher assistants also must know how to operate audiovisual equipment, keep records, and prepare instructional materials, as well as have adequate computer skills.

Teacher assistants should enjoy working with children from a wide range of cultural backgrounds, and be able to handle classroom situations with fairness and patience. Teacher assistants also must demonstrate initiative and a willingness to follow a teacherŐs directions. They must have good writing skills and be able to communicate effectively with students and teachers. Teacher assistants who speak a second language, especially Spanish, are in great demand for communicating with growing numbers of students and parents whose primary language is not English.

Advancement for teacher assistants—usually in the form of higher earnings or increased responsibility—comes primarily with experience or additional education. Some school districts provide time away from the job or tuition reimbursement so that teacher assistants can earn their bachelorŐs degrees and pursue licensed teaching positions. In return for tuition reimbursement, assistants are often required to teach a certain length of time for the school district.

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Teacher Assistants Employment

Teacher Assistants Related Occupations

Teacher assistants who instruct children have duties similar to those of preschool, kindergarten, elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers, special education teachers, and school librarians. However, teacher assistants do not have the same level of responsibility or training. The support activities of teacher assistants and their educational backgrounds are similar to those of childcare workers, library technicians, and library assistants. Teacher assistants who work with children with disabilities perform many of the same functions as occupational therapy assistants and aides.

Teacher Assistants Additional Sources

For information on teacher assistants, including training and certification, contact:

For information on a career as a teacher assistant, contact:

Human resource departments of school systems, school administrators, and State departments of education also can provide details about employment opportunities and required qualifications for teacher assistant jobs.

Teacher Assistants Summaries of Related Webpages

Using the teacherŐs lesson plans, teacher assistants help students learn material by tutoring and assisting them one-on-one. Outside of the classroom teacher assistants may be responsible for supervising students on field trips, in the hallways, as they load busses to and from school, or in the cafeteria. However, it is more common for teacher assistants to perform a mixture of both clerical and instructional tasks. With the guidance and direction of teachers, these assistants usually offer academic support to students. Computer laboratories are often run by teacher assistants who help students using computers and education software programs.
Summary of: http://www.careeroverview.com/teachers-assistant-careers.html

If you work as a UK education and training provider we can help you recruit international students, develop partnerships and promote your offer overseas. We create a wealth of opportunities for learners of English to meet their goals and we support those professionals involved in bringing the English language to life around the world. Teach English for us We employ 2000 teachers in 57 countries. Search our vacancies online. Our development work in education Find out why education is at the core of our work for sustainable development.
Summary of: http://www.britishcouncil.org/learning

If you work as a UK education and training provider we can help you recruit international students, develop partnerships and promote your offer overseas. We create a wealth of opportunities for learners of English to meet their goals and we support those professionals involved in bringing the English language to life around the world. Teach English for us We employ 2000 teachers in 57 countries. Search our vacancies online. Our development work in education Find out why education is at the core of our work for sustainable development.
Summary of: http://www.britishcouncil.org/learning.htm

Three are policy grievances filed by the Union, and two are grievances brought on behalf of Crystal Sigurdson and Kathy Grimolfson, teachersŐ assistants employed by the Division at Riverton School. The individual grievances relate to the DivisionŐs refusal to allow the Grievors to bump into the positions. The Division has employed both regular classroom and special needs teachersŐ assistants for some years. In order to achieve the required reduction in costs, a decision was made to reduce regular hours for teachersŐ assistants from six to five and half hours per day. The teachers assistants affected were notified that commencing September 1995, the regular workday for teachersŐ assistants would be five and half-hours per day.
Summary of: http://www.mast.mb.ca/LRBargain/Non_teachers/grievances/Evergreen%20Teacher%20Assistants.htm

Some of these rights and responsibilities are written into a law called the School Act. Others are written in the Ministry's Special Education Policy Manual. Teachers All of your teachers have a responsibility to make sure that your IEP is followed. If you think your teacher isn't following your IEP, speak to him or her about it after class or after school. If the problem continues, talk with your guardians about it or you may ask to speak with the principal.
Summary of: http://www.knowyourrights.ca/students_rights.html

More Dyslexia symptoms How do you indentify possible dyslexia in a pupil. Our new distance learning multi-media course provides practical training in how to teach a child who is, or may be, dyslexic, either in school or at home. The course provides training in the particular learning needs of dyslexic children, and the areas in which they experience difficulty, especially spelling, reading, writing and math/s. She brings lots of spirited fun into the classroom at Beaumont Hill special school in Darlington, which is valued by colleagues and students alike. She is one of 25 classroom assistants at the school; her colleagues nominated her for Classroom Assistant of the Year.
Summary of: http://www.classroom-assistant.net/

Educational requirements range from a high school diploma to some college training. Workers with experience in special education, or who can speak a foreign language, will be especially in demand. Teacher assistants tutor and assist children in learning class material using the teacherŐs lesson plans, providing students with individualized attention. Playground and lunchroom attendants are examples of such assistants. Most teacher assistants, however, perform a combination of instructional and clerical duties.
Summary of: http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos153.htm

Teacher assistants in high schools often specialize in a particular subject such as science. Doing everything from helping students research reports to making photocopies, they make it possible for teachers to focus on lesson planning and teaching. These days, teacher assistants are perhaps especially important. Students with special needs -- such as special education students and those who speak a primary language other than English -- are joining general education classrooms. Some teacher assistants work in computer labs, where they help students use computers and educational software programs.
Summary of: http://www.collegeboard.com/csearch/majors_careers/profiles/careers/106011.html

See the school board in the area you plan to seek work for contract details. There is an increased demand for assistants to work with students with special needs. If a student resides outside of the Red Deer local calling area, a long distance calling package is required. Admission Requirements A) Academic Requirements 1. (You may receive credit for one option if you qualify for advance credit or prior learning credit).
Summary of: http://www.rdc.ab.ca/programs_and_courses/certificate_and_diploma_programs/teacher_assistant.html

SETA students are trained to support children with special needs so that these children can participate fully as members of a community of learners. Who Should Apply.
Summary of: http://www.capcollege.bc.ca/programs/special-ed/

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