Teacher Assistant Job Description
Teacher assistants (also called teacher aides or instructional aides) work under the supervision of a teacher. They work closely with students to reinforce classroom lessons, and may help the teacher by grading homework, taking attendance, and preparing equipment for the classroom.
In some instances, teacher assistants are hired to assist with children who have special needs. In these cases, additional licensing is often required.
Some schools also hire teacher assistants to help with a particular area of the school. For instance, some assistants may monitor the cafeteria, or help in the library or computer lab.
Work Environment and Schedule
The majority of teacher assistants work at elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools. Preschools and day care centers also provide many opportunities for employment.
They spend the majority of their time working inside, but also spend time outdoors if helping with recess or supervising children as they load school buses.
A regular work schedule is one of the perks that people in this occupation enjoy. Teacher assistants normally work during regular business hours from Monday through Friday. Assistants who work in the school system receive summers off, but those who work at child care centers do not.
The majority of teacher assistants work full time, but there are also many part time positions available.
How to Become a Teacher Assistant
Each state has its own requirements for working as a teacher assistant. Different districts within the same state may also have their own requirements. Some positions require a high school diploma, while others require an associate’s degree.
In addition to formal education requirements, passing a skills-based test is required by some districts.
To learn more about the exact requirements where you live, it’s best to visit your local school system’s website. If you can’t find the answer directly on the site, there should be contact information available.
There are currently 1,288,300 teacher assistants in the United States, with 48,160 new teacher assistant job openings created each year.
Teacher Assistant jobs are not expected to see much growth beyond their current levels in the next decade.
Teacher Assistant Salaries
Teacher Assistant salaries can vary depending on your experience, the location, company, industry, and benefits provided. Nationwide, most teacher assistants make between $19,200 – $29,800 per year, or Not Available per hour.