Job Description – Salary, Education and Career Guide for Becoming a Teacher’s Assistant

A teacher’s assistant helps a teacher either in the classroom or with lesson plan development. Sometimes a teacher’s assistant may be called:
  • assistant teacher
  • paraprofessional
  • T.A.
  • teacher’s aide.
Not all classrooms have a teacher’s assistant. Larger classes and those in special education are more likely to employ a teacher’s assistant in addition to a full-time teacher.

Job Description

While job details vary from school to school, a teacher’s assistant generally works closely with a lead teacher in his or her classroom. A teacher’s assistant should be able to interact well with children, recognize students’ individual needs and encourage students to be creative, independent and respectful. Good writing and communication skills are essential. Here are some of the responsibilities of a teacher's assistant:
  • counseling students
  • generating student interest in lesson topics
  • grading papers
  • keeping records
  • reinforcing lesson materials
  • stocking supplies
  • supervising tests.
Some teacher’s assistant jobs involve behind-the-scenes administrative or secretarial work while others allow teacher's assistants to actually teach from lesson plans.
 
Teacher’s assistant jobs are available for all grade levels from elementary school through high school. Most teacher's assistant jobs follow the typical 10-month school calendar, although some involve working through the summer as well. Teacher's assistants may be assigned to an entire class or a single student with special needs. Here are a few of the many types of teacher's assistant jobs available:
  • bilingual teacher's assistant
  • elementary school teacher's assistant
  • English as a second language (ESL) teacher's assistant
  • high school teacher's assistant
  • middle school teacher's assistant
  • special education teacher's assistant.
Teacher's assistant jobs may be part-time or full-time. Full-time teacher's assistants usually receive health insurance and other employment benefits, while those who work part time do not.
 
Teacher’s assistants, like teachers and other academic professionals, often work with students from various cultural backgrounds. A school may provide training programs to promote better understanding of different cultures and how to effectively work with students from diverse ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds.

Salary Guide

Median salary for a teacher’s assistant is about $20,740, with the lowest 10 percent earning less than $13,910 and the highest 10 percent earning more than $31,610. Teacher's assistant earnings are dependant on education, experience and geographic location.
 
The job outlook for teacher’s assistants is promising, due to growth in education and the fact that many people in these positions are reaching retirement age. Special education and bilingual positions are especially in demand.

Education and Training

The first step to becoming a teacher’s assistant is to determine your state’s individual requirements. In most states you must have a high school diploma or GED to become a teacher's assistant. You may also have to pass an examination, take specific college level courses, or have an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in certain locations.
 
Some school districts require a background check, valid driver’s license and previous experience working with children. In most districts, applicants with a college education and previous experience with children are favored by employers.

Prior Work Experience

Any previous experience working with children is helpful to become a teacher's assistant. At an interview, be sure to mention any teacher's assistant experience or any other work you may have done with children as:
  • camp counselor
  • tutor
  • volunteer.
While prior experience is always preferred, it is not always necessary to work as a teacher's assistant.

Career Advancement

With additional education and certification as required, teacher's assistants can use their experience and contacts to gain positions as:
  • full-time classroom teachers
  • substitute teachers.
With continued experience and education, they may advance to administrative positions within the school system.

Related Associations and Groups

For more information on teacher's assistant jobs, you may want to contact:
  • American Federation of Teachers, Paraprofessional and School Related Personnel Division
  • National Education Association, Educational Support Personnel Division
  • National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals.

 

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