Teacher Assistant & Teacher Aides: Career, Jobs & Training

There is a growing demand for teacher assistant in the field of education and teaching. Teacher assistants or aides are called upon to ease the work pressure on certified teachers and assist them complete a variety of secretarial and instructional duties. This further allows teachers to spend more time on planning out the lessons and teaching. Teacher aides are responsible for handling the children one on one and assist them how to use the material effectively. They keep a close watch on children, both inside and outside the classroom. To become successful as a teacher assistant or teacher aide, you need to start on this career path in the right way, get adequate education and training, know the job description, employment opportunities and the salary offered in this occupation. Read on to have all the details.

 

Job Description
As the job duties of certified teachers continue to be more complex, the requirement for more and more teacher assistants or teaching aides grows. Inside the classroom, these professionals are responsible for assisting students learn the material, setting up the required equipment and recording grades. However, their job duties do not end inside of the classroom. They are responsible for looking after the children even outside the classroom. Whether it is fields, the cafeteria or during boarding buses, teaching assistants hold the responsibility of supervising children while they are outside the classroom.

 

Teaching assistants are also sometimes referred to as instructional aides, paraeducators and paraprofessionals. Though most of the teacher aides perform both clerical and instructional job duties, there are others who may carry out either clerical or instructional duties. These professionals work under the supervision of certified teachers, as the former guide them to perform multiple academic tasks. Teacher assistants may work with either a small group of children or handle them individually. They figure out the individual problems of students and then guide them to complete the tasks efficiently.

 

In terms of providing academic support to students, assistants help students by doing tasks like explaining the class notes, listen to them while they read and assist them in locating the right information. At the secondary school level, teacher assistants may choose to specialize in a particular subject. Depending on the subject area they specialize in, they may prepare projects and presentations like science demonstration. Computer laboratories in schools often require a good number of teacher aides or assistants to instruct students in the use of computers.

 

Besides supervising students and providing them academic support, assistants also perform multiple clerical tasks including typing, filing of documents, maintaining stock supplies, keeping students attendance records, duplicate materials etc. Teaching assistants may also handle the job responsibility of working with special education students.

 

Educational Qualification & Training
Candidates who aspire to become a teacher assistant should at least possess a high school diploma. Though the educational requirement for these jobs may vary from one state to another, employers prefer hiring candidates who have completed some training. There are several community colleges that offer associate degree training programs for students aspiring to make a career in this occupation. Employers also prefer on-the-job training to newly hired candidates.

 

Job Skills
Teaching assistants should be adequately trained to perform duties like keeping records, controlling stock supplies, operating audio-visual equipment, well versed with classroom materials, teaching techniques etc. Teaching aides also need to possess good communication skills, both verbal and written. They should have the capability of working with children from a variety of backgrounds. Computer proficiency is also required to become successful as a teacher assistant.

 

Working Conditions
The occupation offers both full time and part time opportunities to jobseekers. Many teaching assistants acquire part time jobs. Those who take up full time jobs work for the standard 40 hours a week. Some of these professionals also take up summer jobs. However, they also find and occupy other jobs. Assistants work closely with school administrators, supervising teachers and parents among others.

 

Employment Outlook
Job prospects will be best for candidates who have completed at least 2 years of formal education. Job opportunities will also be created as more after-school and summer programs are created. Bilingual teaching aides will also be in great demand to teach in locations where the students' families do not speak English. The employment growth for these jobs is expected to grow faster than the average of all occupations.

 

Annual Salary
Salaries will vary depending on the geographic location, educational qualification and experience. In the year 2004, teacher assistants in the United States earned a median annual salary of around $19,410. Those who have adequate education and extensive work experience earn around $29,220 annually.