* * * This is NOT a job offer * * * The purpose of this occupational guide is to provide you with useful information to help you make career decisions. If you are searching for a job, please go to CalJobs (for jobs in California)     OR      JOBcentral (for jobs nationwide)

More Occupational Guides

Teacher Aides

TRENDS

Education today is much more than teaching.  Teachers must now deal with 
more and more students in each class, changes in teaching technology, more 
record keeping, changes in subject matter, more students with different 
backgrounds who need extra attention and help, and many non-teaching 
tasks.  Teacher Aides are needed to help teachers with clerical tasks, 
routine classroom activities, and various other duties that keep the class 
running smoothly.


THE JOB

Teacher Aides do a lot of classroom work so that teachers can spend more 
time teaching.  They work with students in the classroom and help with non-
teaching activities such as recording grades, setting up equipment, handing 
out school supplies, and operating duplicating machines to copy classroom 
materials.

The responsibilities of Teacher Aides can be very different, depending on 
the school district.  In many schools, aides work directly in the teaching 
of students.  Under the supervision and guidance of the teacher, they help 
students individually or in small groups.  An aide might listen to one 
student read, help another find information for a report, or watch another 
work out math problems.  Sometimes, the teacher has an aide take charge of 
a special project for a group of students, such as preparing equipment for 
a science demonstration.  An aide might work with students in a special 
program for the learning disabled, physically or mentally handicapped, or 
hard-of-hearing.  A bilingual aide might help students who don't speak 
English to learn to read, write and speak English.

In other schools, Teacher Aides mainly handle routine non-teaching tasks.  
They may grade tests and papers, check homework, and keep health and 
attendance records.  Secretarial duties such as typing, filing, and 
duplicating materials for the teacher may be part of the aide's job.

Sometimes, Teacher Aides are expected to stock supplies, operate audiovisual 
equipment, and keep classroom equipment in order.  They may hand out books 
and materials, or set up displays, and maintain bulletin boards.  They also 
may supervise students during lunch, recreation periods, and school bus 
loading.


WORKING CONDITIONS

Teacher Aides spend a lot of their time standing, walking, or kneeling.  
Aides who work closely with students may find it both physically and 
emotionally tiring.  Most of the work is indoors, except when supervising 
students on the school yard or on field trips.


EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK

The California Projections of Employment, published by the Labor Market 
Information Division of the Employment Development Department, estimates 
that the number of Teacher Aides in California will reach 217,250 by 2005, 
an increase in new jobs of 61,380 over the number there was in 1993.

There will also be an estimated 32,500 job openings due to people retiring 
or leaving the occupation.  Added to the 61,380 new jobs expected, this 
makes for an estimated total of 93,880 job opportunities through 2005.

(These figures do not include self-employment nor openings due to turnover.)

Teacher Aides ranks in the top fifty occupations with the largest expected 
job growth in California.

Although Teacher Aides work in both elementary and secondary schools, most 
of them work in the early grades. Job opportunities depend on several 
things, such as population growth, government funding available for hiring 
teachers, aides, and other staff, and the supply of qualified job applicants 
in the local area.

There are more than enough qualified applicants in most areas, but sometimes 
there are shortages of aides who have experience in special education or who 
can speak foreign languages.  In California, the fast growing number of 
students who speak English as a second language should increase the need for 
aides who have bilingual skills.


WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS

Beginning salaries for most Teacher Aides are between minimum wage and 
$11.50 an hour.  With some experience Teacher Aides may earn from the 
minimum to $13.00 per hour.

Some school districts pay aides in special education programs slightly 
higher wages.  Teacher Aides in these programs experience a high turnover 
rate because they find that work with mentally and physically disabled 
students may be too difficult or challenging for them.

School districts in Los Angeles and San Francisco tend to pay the highest 
wages.  Aides usually work part-time from three to six hours a day.  There 
are not many eight hour jobs.  Some aides are covered by union contracts and 
have health benefits, but many part-time aides do not receive pensions, 
health insurance, or other benefits.


ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING

The educational Teacher Aides need can be very different.  Some schools 
require a high school diploma, while other schools expect aides to have some 
college course work, especially if they will work in special education 
programs.  Following state law, all schools require applicants to pass a 
test in reading, language, and math.  Aides must be able to communicate well 
with both students and teachers, and clerical skills may be needed too.

Schools prefer job applicants with experience.  Other experience caring for 
and supervising groups of children is also helpful.

Character and personality are very important in qualifying for the Teacher 
Aide's job.  Aides should be able to work with students and to handle 
classroom situations with fairness and patience.  Aides also must show 
initiative and be willing to follow the classroom teacher's directions.

Teacher Aides generally get their training for classroom work on the job.  
However, some community colleges offer associate degree programs that 
prepare graduates to work directly in the classroom as Teacher Aides.

New Teacher Aides go through a period of orientation and training during 
which they learn how to help the classroom teacher work with students.  
Aides are taught how to use audiovisual equipment, give first aid, and keep 
records.  They learn to make charts and other teaching materials and also 
learn to prepare bulletin boards and work with other art materials.  They 
also learn about how the school is organized and run, and they learn about 
the methods used to teach handwriting, reading, math, science, and other 
school subjects.


ADVANCEMENT

Teacher Aides may advance promote within their jobs through experience and 
more education.  Some schools and school districts provide ways for aides to 
work and take college courses.


FINDING THE JOB

Applicants for Teacher Aide positions should contact school districts and 
private schools directly.  Most hiring occurs in August.


ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

American Federation of Teachers
Organizing Department
555 New Jersey Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 879-4400

National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals
CASE/CUNY
25 West 43rd St., Room 620
New York, NY 10036
(212) 642-2948

Association for Childhood Education International
11501 Georgia Avenue, Suite 315
Wheaton, MD 20902
(301) 942-2443

RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES

Teachers, Elementary School         No.   10
Library Assistants                  No.  417
Career Guidance Technicians         No.  463

OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES

DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev. 1)
Teacher Aide I                   099.327-010
Teacher Aide II                  249.367-074

OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System
Instructional Aides                   315211


Source:  State of California, Employment Development Department,
         Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
         (916) 262-2162.