| Teacher assistants will provide instruction and other | | | | in preschools and child care. The working conditions of |
| support for classroom teachers, which will allow a | | | | these instructors will involve a fairly stressful |
| professional instructor to have more time to plan | | | | environment with forty percent of these individuals |
| lessons and to teach. These educational professionals | | | | working part time. Most teachers assistants will work |
| will help supervise students on field trips, the | | | | 40 hours a week, and their work can be very |
| schoolyard, the cafeteria, and hallways, and they may | | | | rewarding, especially if one likes working with children. |
| record grades and prepare materials for a more | | | | In order to receive the job, an individual must have at |
| experienced educational professional. | | | | least a high school diploma and on the job training, with |
| Some teachers assistants will perform clerical tasks, | | | | most teaching assistants receiving at least an |
| with many performing a combination of instructional | | | | associates degree in order to be able to teach at a |
| and support duties. They may work with students on a | | | | public school. In addition, many schools will require |
| one to one basis or in small groups, listening while they | | | | background checks, a valid drivers license, and |
| read or helping them find information in order to | | | | experience in working with children. |
| complete a school report. At the high school or middle | | | | In 2006, teaching aides had about 1.3 million jobs in |
| school level, a teaching assistant will usually help a | | | | America, with 75% working for public and private |
| teacher prepare special projects or prepare equipment | | | | schools, and the remaining 25% being employed by |
| for a demonstration. | | | | childcare centers and religious groups. Job prospects |
| Besides helping to supervise and instruct a student, | | | | for these professionals are expected to be good due |
| assistants will help grade papers, check homework, | | | | to high turnover and growth that will keep pace with |
| type, keep attendance records, and operate | | | | an increase in population. Those teaching aides who |
| audiovisual equipment. Special education students are | | | | are bilingual will have the best opportunities. |
| a common group that these professionals will work | | | | In 2006, the middle 50th percentile of teacher |
| with, and their responsibilities can involve teaching | | | | assistants made between $16,430 and $26,160. About |
| disabled students good grooming habits, feeding them, | | | | thirty percent of these instructors or members of the |
| and assisting them when they are riding the bus. | | | | National Education Association or the American |
| The vast majority of teaching assistants will work in | | | | Federation of Teachers, which are both educational |
| primary and secondary education, with some working | | | | unions which negotiate terms of employment. |