Teacher Assistants

Industry Basics:

Teacher assistants are an integral part of the educational services industry. Teacher assistants are also known as instructional aides or teacher aides. As the name suggest they provide support to teachers by providing clerical or academic support under the guidance and direction of the teacher. Teacher aides help reduce the responsibilities of the teacher such that they can concentrate more on teaching or planning their sessions.

Teacher aides may also provide support to students by giving individual attention and tutor them accordingly. Some common examples wherein teacher aides provide support to students are: foreign language classes or in case of special needs students.

Industry Outlook:

Teacher assistants account for a strong 8.4% of the total workforce operating in educational services. This translates to 1.3 million jobs in the educational services sector. This figure is expected to grow by 10.9% by the year 2014. This also indicates an average growth in employment opportunities by 2014.

Three out of four teacher assistants are currently employed with state and local government education institutions. Most of the teacher assistants at the state and local education institutes provide support at the pre-school and elementary level. Other organizations that employ teacher assistants apart from the state and local education bodies are: private schools, child care centers etc. Teacher assistants can also help students in middle or secondary school levels. 40% of teacher assistants work part time while the rest work full time.

The quality of education is being given more emphasis and individual attention to students is important in achieving quality. Therefore, there will be a continuous requirement and growth for teacher assistants in general education, foreign language classes and for special education.

Designation and Roles:

Teacher assistants may also be known as teacher aides or instructional aides. The key roles extended by teacher assistants are:

• Support to teachers
• Support to students

The common tasks include:

• Instructional guidance to students
• Session planning and clerical support to teachers
• Grade tests and papers
• Keep attendance and health records
• Organize, manage and install classroom equipment

Skill or Education Required:

A basic high school diploma to associate’s degree is the minimum requirement to qualify for the post of a teacher assistant.
Teacher assistants who complete a bachelors degree in education can advance to becoming certified teachers
The No Child Left Behind Act requires all assistant teachers who receive Title I funds must have either a :

• Minimum of 2 years of post secondary education or
• Associate’s degree, or
• Pass a State approved examination

Remuneration:

The median annual earnings of teacher assistants are: $19,410 (as of 2004). The top 10% of all teacher assistants in the educational services sector earn more than $29,220.

Teacher assistants are also eligible for health coverage and other employment benefits but such benefits are accorded only to full time teachers.

Conclusion:

• Teacher assistants provide support to teachers by providing clerical or academic support under the guidance and direction of the teacher
• 40% of teacher assistants work part time while the rest work full time.
• A basic high school diploma to associate’s degree is the minimum requirement to qualify for the post of a teacher assistant.