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Teacher Assistants
from: Kyle BesserTeacher assistants, also called teacher aides or instructional aides, provide instructional and clerical support for classroom teachers, which allows teachers more time for lesson planning and teaching. With the help of teacher assistants, students can receive individualized attention to help them learn class material. Teacher assistants also help supervise students in the cafeteria, schoolyard, hallways and on field trips. Teacher assistants provide clerical support by recording grades, setting up equipment and helping prepare materials for instruction.
Some teacher assistants perform exclusively noninstructional or clerical tasks, such as monitoring nonacademic settings, such as playground and lunchroom attendants. Most teacher assistants perform a combination of instructional and clerical duties. They generally provide instructional reinforcement to children under the direction of teachers with students individually or in small groups. They listen while students read, review or reinforce class lessons and helping them find information for projects.
At the secondary school level, teacher assistants often specialize in one subject, such as math or science. Teacher assistants often oversee special projects and prepare the equipment or exhibits, such as for a science demonstration. Some assistants work in computer laboratories helping students learn to use computers and educational software programs.
Teacher assistants provide clerical support by grading tests and papers, checking homework, recording grades, keeping attendance records, duplicating materials, typing and filing. They also stock supplies, operate audiovisual equipment and keep classroom equipment in order.
Many teacher assistants work with special education students. Schools have become more inclusive and integrate special education students into general education classrooms. Teacher assistants in both general education and special education classrooms increasingly assist students with disabilities. Teacher assistants attend to the physical needs of students with disabilities, including feeding, teaching good grooming habits, or assisting students riding a schoolbus.
Teacher assistants provide personal attention to students with other special needs, such as those who don't speak English very well and those who need remedial education. Some teacher assistants work with young adults to help them obtain a job or apply for community services to help support them after schooling. Teacher assistants help assess student progress by observing performance and recording relevant data.
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 to provide individual attention that young children require. In addition to assisting in the classroom, they also supervise the children at play and assist in feeding and other basic care activities.
Teacher assistants also work with infants and toddlers who have developmental delays and other disabilities. Teacher assistants perform exercises or play games to help the child develop physically and behaviorally under the guidance of a teacher or therapist.
Training requirements for teacher assistants vary by state or school district and range from a high school diploma to some college education. Increasingly, employers prefer applicants with some related college coursework. A college degree or related coursework in child development improves job opportunities.
Teacher assistants who work in Title 1 schools where there is a large proportion of students from low-income households must have college training or proven academic skills. New federal requirements as of 2006 required assistants to have a 2-year or higher degree, 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 the operation and rules of the school. Those who tutor and review lessons with students must learn and understand the class materials and instructional methods used by the teacher. Teacher assistants also must know how to operate audiovisual equipment, keep records, and prepare instructional materials. Teacher assistants should also have adequate computer skills. Teacher assistants who speak a second language, especially Spanish, are in great demand for communicating with growing numbers of students and parents whose primary language is not English.
Many schools require previous experience in working with children and a valid driver's license. Some schools may require the applicant pass a background check.
Teacher assistants should enjoy working with children from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. They be able to handle classroom situations with fairness and patience. Teacher assistants also must demonstrate initiative and a willingness and ability to follow the teacher's directions. They must have good writing skills and be able to communicate effectively with students and teachers.
Advancement for teacher assistants, either higher earnings or increased responsibility, comes primarily with experience or additional education. Some school districts provide time away from the job or tuition reimbursement for teacher assistants to further their education. If teacher assistants earn a bachelor's degree, they can pursue teaching positions. In return for tuition reimbursement, teacher assistants are usually required to work for a certain length of time in the school district.
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