Teacher assistants provide instructional and clerical support for classroom teachers, allowing teachers more time for lesson planning and teaching. They support and assist children in learning class material using the teacher's lesson plans, providing students with individualized attention. Teacher assistants also supervise students in the cafeteria, schoolyard, and hallways, or on field trips; they record grades, set up equipment, and help prepare materials for instruction.
Related job titles are: Kindergarten Teacher, Assistant Teacher, Elementary Teacher, or Title One Kindergarten Teacher.
Search by ZIP code for an Accredited College or School that offers the Classes, Associate, Bachelor, or Master Degree Program you need!
Would you go back to school if you qualified for a grant or other financial aid? Be sure to ask that question of the colleges you contact!!
ONLINE TEACHING & EDUCATION COURSES AND DEGREES
At Walden, we believe that knowledge is most valuable when put to use in organizations, communities, and families. We offer over 60 online degree programs with more than 300 specializations and concentrations, all designed to help professionals gain the knowledge they need to have a real impact in their lives and the lives of others. As an accredited institution with over 40 years of experience, Walden has graduated more than 49,500 alumni.
ONLINE TEACHING & EDUCATION COURSES AND DEGREES
Liberty University - the largest, non-profit institution among online universities, with more than 60,000 students. Currently, Liberty Online ranks No. 1 among accredited online schools in the nation and has the highest retention and graduation rates of any leading online university.
With more than 45 fully-accredited degrees and 100 specializations at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels, Liberty Online offers degrees in the areas the market demands the most.
Liberty Online offers the lowest tuition rates among top online universities. Currently 97 percent of Liberty students receive some form of financial aid.
When you study through Liberty University Online, you aren’t alone — you are surrounded by Liberty’s exceptional support system and valuable student resources.
Important Teacher Assistant degree information -Top of Page-
- Almost 40 percent of teacher assistants work part time.
- Educational requirements range from a high school diploma to some college training.
- Favorable job prospects are expected.
- Opportunities should be best for those with at least 2 years of formal college education, those with experience in helping special education students, or those who can speak a foreign language.
How much does a Teacher Assistant make in salary? || Teacher Assistant pay -Top of Page-
Median annual wages of teacher assistants in May 2008 were $22,200. The middle 50 percent earned a salary of between $17,610 and $28,180. The lowest 10 percent earned a salary of less than $15,340, and the highest 10 percent earned a salary of more than $33,980.
Full-time workers usually receive health coverage and other benefits. Teacher assistants who work part time ordinarily do not receive benefits. In 2008, about 37 percent of teacher assistants belonged to unions or were covered by a union contract—mainly the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association—which bargain with school systems over wages, hours, and the terms and conditions of employment.
What is a Teacher Assistant? || What does a Teacher Assistant do? || Job descriptions -Top of Page-
Some teacher assistants perform exclusively non-instructional or clerical tasks, such as monitoring nonacademic settings. Playground and lunchroom attendants are examples of such assistants. Most teacher assistants, however, perform a combination of instructional and clerical duties. They generally provide instructional reinforcement to children, under the direction and guidance of teachers. They work with students individually or in small groups—listening while students read, reviewing or reinforcing class lessons, or helping them find information for reports. At the secondary school level, teacher assistants often specialize in a certain subject, such as math or science. Teacher assistants often take charge of special projects and prepare equipment or exhibits, such as for a science demonstration. Some assistants work in computer laboratories, helping students to use computers and educational software programs.
In addition to instructing, assisting, and supervising students, teacher assistants may grade tests and papers, check homework, keep health and attendance records, do typing and filing, and duplicate materials. They also stock supplies, operate audiovisual equipment, and keep classroom equipment in order.
Although the majority of teacher assistants work in primary and secondary educational settings, others work in preschools and other child care centers. Often, one or two assistants will work with a lead teacher in order to better provide the individual attention that young children require. In addition to assisting in educational instruction, teacher assistants supervise the children at play and assist in feeding and other basic care activities.
Work environment for Teacher Assistants -Top of Page-
Teacher assistants work in a variety of settings—including preschools, child care centers, and religious and community centers, where they work with young adults—but most work in classrooms in elementary, middle, and secondary schools. They also may work outdoors, supervising recess when weather allows, and they may spend time standing, walking, or kneeling. However, many spend much of the day sitting while working with students.
Approximately 40 percent of teacher assistants work part time. Most assistants who provide educational instruction work the traditional 9-month to 10-month school year.
How to become a Teacher Assistant || Teacher Assistant classes and degree programs -Top of Page-
Teacher assistants who work in Title 1 schools—those with a large proportion of students from low-income households—must have college training or proven academic skills. They face Federal mandates that require assistants to hold a 2-year or higher degree, have a minimum of 2 years of college, or pass a rigorous State or local assessment.
A number of colleges offer associate degrees or certificate programs that either prepare graduates to work as teacher assistants or provide additional training for current teacher assistants.
All teacher assistants receive some on-the-job training. Teacher assistants need to become familiar with the school system and with the operation and rules of the school they work in. Those who tutor and review lessons must learn and understand the class materials and instructional methods used by the teacher.
Where are the Teacher Assistant jobs? -Top of Page-
Teacher assistants held about 1.3 million jobs in 2008. Many worked for public and private educational institutions. Child care centers and religious organizations employed most of the rest.
Teacher Assistant job opportunities and outlook -Top of Page-
Employment of teacher assistants is expected to grow by 10 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. School enrollments are projected to increase slowly over the next decade, but faster growth is expected among special education students and students for whom English is a second language, and those students will increase as a share of the total school-age population.