National
| Median wages (2008) |
$22,200 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
1,312,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Average (7% to 13%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
350,000 additional employees |
25-9041.00 - Teacher Assistants
Perform duties that are instructional in nature or deliver direct services to students or parents. Serve in a position for which a teacher or another professional has ultimate responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.
Sample of reported job titles:
Teacher Assistant, Paraprofessional, Instructional Assistant, Special Education Teaching Assistant, Special Education Paraprofessional, Teacher Aide, Paraeducator, Teaching Assistant, Special Education Aide, Special Education Instructional Assistant
Tasks
- Provide extra assistance to students with special needs, such as non-English-speaking students or those with physical and mental disabilities.
- Tutor and assist children individually or in small groups to help them master assignments and to reinforce learning concepts presented by teachers.
- Supervise students in classrooms, halls, cafeterias, school yards, and gymnasiums, or on field trips.
- Enforce administration policies and rules governing students.
- Observe students' performance, and record relevant data to assess progress.
- Discuss assigned duties with classroom teachers to coordinate instructional efforts.
- Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.
- Present subject matter to students under the direction and guidance of teachers, using lectures, discussions, or supervised role-playing methods.
- Organize and label materials and display students' work in a manner appropriate for their eye levels and perceptual skills.
- Distribute tests and homework assignments and collect them when they are completed.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Desktop computers |
| Emergency medical services first aid kits — Emergency first aid kits |
| Intercom systems |
| Laser printers — Computer laser printers |
| Scanners — Data input scanners; Reading pens |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Computer based training software — Children's educational software; Text to speech software |
| Data base user interface and query software — Data entry software; Student information system software |
| Spell checkers — Hand held spell checkers |
| Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel |
| Word processing software — Microsoft Word |
