Teacher Assistant Training | Become a Teacher Assistant

Teacher Assistant Training | Teacher Aide Training | Our TOP Recommendations
Request FREE information today. There is NO OBLIGATION to enroll.

Teacher assistants offer valuable educational and clerical support for classroom teachers, allowing teachers more time for planning lessons and teaching. They support and help students with absorbing class materials using the teacher’s lesson plans, and provide students with specialized attention.

• Nature of the Work - Teacher assistants are also referred to as teacher aides or instructional aides. Many assistants prefer to call themselves paraeducators or paraprofessionals. They work with students in small groups or individually—listening as students read, reviewing or encouraging class lessons, or assisting students find information for reports.
• Teacher Assistant Training - A variety of colleges provide associate degrees or certificate programs that either groom graduates to work as teacher assistants or offer additional instruction for current teacher assistants. Teacher assistants who are employed by Title 1 schools—those schools that have a large number of low-income students—must have proven academic skills or some college training.
• Other Qualifications - Several schools require teaching assistants to have prior experience in working with children and a valid driver’s license. Many schools may require the candidate to pass a background check. Teacher assistants should like working with children from a variety of different cultural backgrounds and be capable of handling classroom activities with patience and fairness.
  
  

Teacher Assistant Training - Become a Teacher Assistant

All teacher assistants are given some on-the-job training. Teacher assistants are required to become familiar with the school system and with the regulations and rules of the school. Those who review lessons with or tutor students must learn and comprehend the class materials and educational methods used by the teacher. Teacher assistants must also learn how to use audio-visual equipment, keep records, and develop educational materials, in addition to having good computer skills.

Advancement for teacher assistants—typically in the form of higher wages or increased responsibility—comes mainly with experience or more formal education. Some school districts offer tuition reimbursement or time away from the job so that teacher assistants can earn their bachelor’s degrees and become qualified for licensed teaching positions. In return for tuition reimbursement, assistants often teach for a specified length of time in the school district.


Teacher Assistant Training - Graduate - Job Outlook

In 2006, teacher assistants held 1.3 million jobs. About 3 out of 4 were employed by private and public elementary and secondary schools. Child care centers and religious institutions employed a majority of the rest.

Many job openings are projected for teacher assistants because of turnover and average employment growth in this large occupation, which will result in good job prospects.

Employment of teacher assistants is projected to increase by 10 percent between 2006 and 2016, about as fast as the average for all careers. A large number of new positions, 137,000, will be generated over the 2006-16 period due to the size of the occupation. School enrollments are expected to rise slowly over the next decade, but more rapid growth is projected among special education students and students for whom English is a second language, and these students will grow as a part of the total school-age population. These students are the ones who need the help of teacher assistants the most.


Teacher Assistant Training - Graduates - Earnings Statistics

In May 2006, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor reports average annual incomes of teacher assistants were $20,750. The middle 50 percent made between $16,500 and $26,250. The bottom 10 percent made less than $13,750, and the top 10 percent made more than $31,750.

Full-time workers typically receive health coverage and other benefits. Teacher assistants who are employed part time usually do not receive benefits. In 2006, about 3 out of 10 teacher assistants were union members—mainly the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association—which negotiate with school systems regarding hours, wages, and employment terms and conditions.

Related Occupations: Teacher assistants who work with children have responsibilities similar to those of preschool, kindergarten, elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers, and those of special education teachers. However, teacher assistants do not possess the same level of training or responsibility. The supporting duties of teacher assistants and their educational backgrounds are like those of childcare workers, library assistants, and library technicians. Teacher assistants who work with disabled children perform many of the same duties as occupational therapist aides and assistants.


Teacher Assistant Training - Colleges - Universities

There are an excellent number of choices for an online Teacher Assistant Training. Online colleges and universities now provide the same curriculum as the traditional education. Learning online provides you with so much more flexibility to suit your lifestyle and current employment. We include our top recommendations for Teacher Assistant Training.

Go from Teacher Assistant Training to Online Teaching Degrees