Information on Teacher’s Aide Associate Degree Program
Majors Overview June 19, 2013Teacher’s aide is responsible for clerical work, childcare, and administrative duties, as well as assist lead teachers in a classroom setting. Duties can include helping students individually under the instruction of lead teacher, student supervision, grading papers, and maintaining records. Individuals who want to become teacher’s aide should consider enrolling in an associate degree program in educational assistance.
Associate Degree Program in Educational Assistant/Paraprofessional
An Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in educational assistance degree program will prepare aspiring candidates to enter the classroom and work with students under the supervision of a lead teacher. Most degree programs have concentration specialties in special education, early childhood development, and English as a second language (ESL). This will prepare the teacher’s aide to work one-on-one with small groups or certain students with needs. Most programs concentrate on secondary and primary school; however, there is also plenty of options for individuals who want to work in childcare facilities or preschools.
Program Course Topics
Educational assistance associate degree program usually takes approximately two years to complete, if students are enrolled full-time. A series of basic educational courses must be taken along with an educational assistance major. Students will learn clerical skills, child psychology, and education theory. Subject-specific and general teaching methods and techniques are applied and learned as well. Most programs provide students with internship opportunities and additional classroom options, which offers professional training under the guidance of a lead teacher. Program course topics may include the following:
•Working with gifted children
•Early childhood math and science
•Classroom management
•Developmental psychology
•Bilingual studies
•Computer skills
•Early childcare
•Working with special needs children
•Teaching reading
•Instructional methods
Employment Outlook
Forty percent of teacher’s aides are part-time workers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS – www.bls.gov). Between 2008 and 2013, there will be a ten percent increase in teacher’s aide jobs, according to the BLS. Teacher’s aides who work full-time generally receive health benefits; however, part-time workers typically do not receive them. Teacher’s aide annual salary is ranges from $16,700 to $25,258, according to Payscale.com.
Continuing Education Information
The next step for most teacher’s aides is to become a licensed teacher, as well as pursuing a bachelor degree program in education. Each state has its own testing, standards, and practices to become licensed. With further training and licensure comes a notable increase in job opportunities and salary. Then, a student can decide whether to pursue a master or doctorate program in education or more specialized field, including education administration.
