Work Settings

• Teacher assistants numbered about 1.3 million in the United States in 2008, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Employment settings for teaching assistants range from public and private schools to child care centers, pre-schools and community centers. The majority of teaching assistants find work in elementary, middle and secondary schools.
  
  

General Qualifications

• Qualification guidelines for teaching assistants vary by state and school district. Precise qualifications will depend on the particular job sought. At a minimum teaching assistants will need to hold a high school diploma. Increasingly, employers are requiring assistants to possess at least a 2-year associate's degree or a 4-year bachelor's degree. The Department of Labor notes that individuals with a college degree or related coursework and certification in child development have a much better chance of securing jobs in this field. Aside from these educational requirements, teaching assistants must also have general skills such as basic computer knowledge and record keeping abilities.
  
  

Additional Qualifications

• Many employers ask prospective teaching assistants to meet some additional qualifications. For example, almost all institutions require applicants to pass a background check, present a valid driver's license and obtain certification in CPR and first-aid. Extra qualifications may be necessary for teaching assistants working in more challenging special education settings involving students with mental and physical impairments or students who speak a native language other than English.
  
  

Advancement

• As with most careers, advancement in the teaching assistant field typically comes from increased work experience and additional education. Teaching assistants can gradually earn higher salaries and take on more instrumental roles as lead teachers, but it takes time and effort. Some school districts and educational institutions provide their teaching assistants with tuition reimbursement or scholarships in order to help them obtain degrees in various areas of child development as well as state teacher certification. Schools usually require employees to stay on for a set period of time after completing their supplemental education in exchange for tuition reimbursement and other such benefits.
  
  

Career Outlook

• The Department of Labor projects teaching assistant jobs to grow roughly 10 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is around the average for all occupations in the country. School enrollments will continue to increase in the future, with especially fast growth in the field of special education. The U.S, government has also placed emphasis on improving the quality of schools, and this too will lead to a heightened demand for competent teaching assistants.