Teacher Aides (also called Assistant Teachers) help teachers by performing some of the routine tasks that otherwise would have to be performed by the teacher.  

JOB DUTIES

Assistant Teacher may:

Discuss and coordinate instructional efforts with the teacher  

Prepare outlines of lesson plans for approval  

Plan, prepare, and develop materials such as charts, graphs, bibliographies, and bulletin boards  

Present subject matter to students  

Arrange, give, and grade examinations  

Assist students individually or in groups  

Clerical Teacher Aide may:

Keep attendance records and call roll  

Pass out school materials  

Grade homework and objective exams and record results  

Gather and duplicate instructional materials  

Supervise students in classrooms, lunchrooms, libraries, halls, and on buses and school grounds  

Set up and operate audio-visual equipment  

Tools, equipment, and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES  

Teacher Aides may specialize in these areas:

099.327-010 ASSISTANT TEACHERS may help teachers by preparing outlines of lesson plans, presenting subject matter to students, and giving and grading examinations.  

249.367-074 TEACHER AIDES help teachers by performing routine tasks such as grading papers and duplicating materials that otherwise would have to be performed by the teacher.  

249.367-086 SATELLITE-INSTRUCTION FACILITATORS monitor training programs which are transmitted by a communication satellite from institutions of higher learning to remote educational institutions or facilities.  

Teacher Aides may be designated according to skill area or to school level, such as primary, elementary, or secondary school teacher aide.  

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

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WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS  

Teacher Aides work under the supervision of one or more teachers. They, in turn, supervise various activities of school children.  

Most Teacher Aides work in pleasant locations that are well lighted, heated, and ventilated. With the exception of playground duties and school bus loading, most Teacher Aide work is performed indoors. The work is usually from September through June only.  

Teacher Aide workweeks vary depending on geographic location and duties performed. In some schools, Teacher Aides work part-time; in others, they work full time during the school year. A full-time workweek is usually five days from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. However, preparing lessons, participating in after-school activities, attending meetings, and doing other necessary tasks may mean additional work hours.  

You Should Prefer:

• Working with children  

• Communicating information to others  

• Working for the good of people  

You Should Be Able To:

• Follow directions  

• Detect errors in numbers, spelling, grammar, and punctuation  

• Use language effectively  

• Get along well with children  

• Accept responsibility and make judgments and decisions  

• Work effectively with teachers and other staff members  

• Be patient and flexible  

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often  

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

Make up some examples of quadratic equations of the form abý+bx+c = 0, that can be solved by factoring and some that cannot.  

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Exponential decay gets its name from the decay of elements in nature called radioactive decay. Radioactive decay is used to approximate the age of archeological objects that were once alive.  

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare an activity for a lesson plan on multiplication in algebra.  

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Should be able to demonstrate excellent analytical skills and be detail oriented in assessing students and assisting in the teaching of academics.  

Teacher Aides must take a test to make certain they are free of tuberculosis (TB) every 3 years.   

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent or a Certificate (program of up to one year of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:  

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0200 ART , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1300 ENGLISH , 2000 LIFE MANAGEMENT , 2100 LITERATURE , 2200 MATH , 2400 MUSIC , 2800 PUBLIC SPEAKING , 2900 SCIENCE , 3000 SOCIAL STUDIES , 3100 STUDY & WORK OPTIONS , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript  

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

051 EDUCATIONAL AIDE TRAINING

Educational Aide Training programs provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment assisting professionals in teaching or supplying related services to youth.  

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript  

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript  

  E-Learning Courses and Programs  

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY  

There are usually opportunities to volunteer as an Aide in schools. Experience working with children in church, club, sporting, or scouting activities is also helpful. Educational Aide training programs are offered at the postsecondary education level and may offer a co-op portion that includes practical experience.  

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships  

mentorships  

job shadowing experiences  

touring a local Teacher Aide employer  

internships  

volunteer work with a Teacher Aide employer  

community service work with an agency  

Most individuals enter this occupation by applying directly to public or private schools. Others enter by passing state and local civil service examinations. Openings may be located by consulting a local office of Michigan Works!, newspaper want ads, or school placement offices. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:  

K12jobs.com ( http://www.k12jobs.com )  

Teacher Jobs ( http://www.teacherjobs.com )  

Education Jobs Page ( http://www.nationjob.com/education )  

EDJOB.COM ( http://www.edjob.com )  

Michigan Talent Bank  

America's Job Bank  

Classifieds Employment  

Yahoo! Careers  

MONSTER.COM  

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Teacher Aides vary according to an individual's education and experience, and the type, size, and location of the school district. Instructional Teacher Aides earn more than non instructional Teacher Aides do.  

According to a recent nationwide survey, hourly wage rates for Teacher Aides in public schools were (1998-99):  

Teacher Aides employed by the State of Michigan earned between $11.77 and $14.94 per hour in mid 1999. During the 1998-99 school year, instructional aides working in Michigan school districts earned from $6.10 to $15.27 per hour, while non-instructional aides earned from $5.40 to $13.80 per hour.  

Teacher Aides usually receive sick leave, hospitalization insurance, paid holidays during the school year, and retirement plans. These benefits are usually available only to Teacher Aides who are full-time employees.  

Advancement for Teacher Aides is based primarily on level of education. A bachelor's degree with a valid teacher's certificate is required for teacher positions. 

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, about 981,400 Teacher Aides and educational assistants were employed in 1996. Employment is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2006. Actual job prospects will vary by region. The population shift to the South and the West will create a greater need for Teacher Aides in those regions. Budget constraints may adversely affect the demand for Aides in some areas, while in others, school districts unable to afford more highly paid teachers might hire more aides. Opportunities will be best in elementary schools because of increases in the school-age population. The industry distribution for Teacher Aides and Educational Assistants looked like this:  

About 30,975 Teacher Aides and educational assistants are employed in Michigan. Many of them worked in urban areas. Teacher Aides were employed by public and private elementary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, state and local governments, and nonprofit organizations.  

Employment of Teacher Aides in Michigan is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2005. An average of 940 annual openings is expected, with 500 due to growth and 440 due to replacement of workers who retire or leave the labor force for other reasons. Some additional openings will occur as Teacher Aides transfer to other jobs or occupations.  

The enrollment of pupils at the elementary level in Michigan is rising and should result in more employment opportunities for Teacher Aides. The outlook is best for graduates of teacher aide training programs.  

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005  

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SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from sources below.  

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