Related job titles are: Kindergarten Teacher, Assistant Teacher, Elementary Teacher, or Title One Kindergarten Teacher.
How Much Does a Teacher Assistant Make? | Teacher Assistant Salary
The median yearly salary for teacher assistants was $23,220 in May 2010 (the most recent data available). This median salary is simply the salary where half the employees earned more and half earned a lesser amount. Employees in the lower 10 percent had an annual salary less than $16,510, and those employees in the top 10 percent earned greater then $36,130.
What Does a Teacher Assistant Do? | Job Description
Teacher Assistant is one of U.S. News and World Report "100 Best Jobs of 2013." Teacher assistants work under a teacher’s supervision to give students additional attention and instruction. Teacher assistants are also called teacher aides, instructional aides, paraprofessionals, and paraeducators. Generally, teachers introduce new material to students, and teacher assistants help reinforce the lessons by working with individual students or small groups of students. For example, they may help students learn research skills by helping them find information for reports. Teacher assistants sometimes help teachers by grading tests and checking homework.
How to Become a Teacher Assistant?
Educational requirements, which vary by school district and position, range from a high school diploma to an associate's degree. Associate’s degree programs for teacher assistants prepare the participants to develop educational materials, observe students, and understand the role of teachers in the classroom.
Most states require passing a skills-based test for instructional aides who work with special needs students.
Teacher Assistant Classes and Courses | Degree Programs
Some districts require applicants to have a high school diploma; others require at least 2 years of college or an associate's degree. Teacher assistants in schools that have Title 1 programs (a federal program for schools with a large proportion of students from low-income households) must have at least a 2-year degree, or 2 years of college, or pass a state or local assessment.
Teacher Assistant Jobs | Who is Hiring?
Student enrollment in public and private elementary and secondary schools is expected to increase from 2010 to 2020. Because teacher assistants work directly with students, the increase in the number of students will spur demand for teacher assistants. In addition, there will be continued demand for special education services and, in turn, demand for teacher assistants who work with these students.
Furthermore, enrollment is expected to increase in childcare services and preschool programs, both of which employ teacher assistants. Increases in enrollment will increase demand for teacher assistants in these settings.
Get information on paying for college using Federal Student Financial Aid Programs.
