Teacher Aide Careers
Teacher aide jobs are one solution for teachers in the overcrowded education system. Teacher aides support teachers by performing clerical duties and providing individual attention to students. Teacher aide jobs also may entail preparing special projects, working with special needs students, and supervising in cafeterias, schoolyards, and on field trips. Teacher aide jobs can be found in every grade in public school and in childcare centers.
Some institutions only require a high school diploma but teacher aide degrees make a difference in finding employment. Teacher aides (or teacher assistants, instructional aides, paraprofessionals and paraeducators) who work in schools with a large number of students from low-income households must have teacher aide degrees or significant experience, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports.
There are a number of teacher aide degrees, including associate's degrees and certificate programs. Most teacher aides must also have previous experience working with children, a valid driver's license, and they must pass a background check.
Employment for teacher aides is expected to grow by 10 percent between 2008-2018, about as fast as average for all occupations. The best chance of employment goes to those with at least a two-year degree, experience working with special needs students, or those who can speak a foreign language. The median annual wage for teacher aide jobs in 2009 was $22,820, according to the BLS.
As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.- Continuing Education for Educators.
