Education
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What is a Teacher's Aide?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A teacher's aide is an education professional who provides support to a teacher. Teacher's aides work in elementary and grammar schools in both general education classrooms and special education classrooms. This educational career may require a degree and certification, depending on regional laws. People who are interested in working as teacher's aides can get more information from the department of education in their region.

The teacher's aide assists a teacher so that the teacher can focus on instruction, rather than on the administrative tasks associated with teaching. Teacher's aides are involved in the preparation of lesson plans, helping teachers develop plans that will be accessible and appropriate for the students. They also handle the acquisition and distribution of class materials, from worksheets for spelling tests to special equipment for the classroom. Organization of class trips and special visitors may also be part of a teacher's aide's job.

A bachelor's degree and student teaching experience may help land a job as a teacher's aide.
A bachelor's degree and student teaching experience may help land a job as a teacher's aide.

Teacher's aides can be tasked with getting instructional materials like videos, musical instruments, and other tools that will be used in the class. They also handle the recording of grades, student evaluations, and other administrative tasks. In the classroom, the teacher's aide helps students who appear to be struggling so that all students in the class have an opportunity to learn the material and succeed. Some teacher's aides may work with a particular teacher full time, while others may travel between classrooms, interacting with many different students and teachers.

Teacher's aides may grade student assignments.
Teacher's aides may grade student assignments.

Individualized attention has been demonstrated to be key to educational progress, especially for younger students. A teacher's aide gets to know the students very well and can provide interventions when students are having difficulty. Teacher's aides can also identify at-risk students who might be in need of evaluation for learning disabilities, counseling to provide assistance with problems at home, and other interventions. Early intervention can make a significant difference for the student as well as the rest of the class, as students in need of help can become disruptive.

Teacher aides are employed by elementary and grammar schools.
Teacher aides are employed by elementary and grammar schools.

Students with disabilities are also supported by teacher's aides. Increasing integration of classrooms has resulted in a need for aides who can help students with disabilities who are being mainstreamed in classes with non-disabled students. This assistance can include help with classroom tasks, keeping students focused on classwork, and help with medications and other needs that the student may have. Aides can be assigned to a specific disabled student or act as floaters in an integrated classroom to provide help where needed.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Animandel

Many people who are thinking about working in the education field work to earn a teacher's aide certificate as a means of acquiring experience and eventually becoming a teacher.

Holding a teacher's aide position provides perfect training for future teachers.

Drentel

My mother held a teacher's aide position at my school when I was in elementary school. She wasn't assigned to a particular teacher or class. She moved from class to class helping the teachers as needed. Her presence allowed the teachers to take breaks and when a teacher was out my mother acted as substitute and took over the class.

I loved Mom, but as a elementary student, I didn't want her to be in my classroom. Fortunately, she was in my classroom only a couple times and of course my friends gave me a hard time whenever she was there.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • A bachelor's degree and student teaching experience may help land a job as a teacher's aide.
      By: Monkey Business
      A bachelor's degree and student teaching experience may help land a job as a teacher's aide.
    • Teacher's aides may grade student assignments.
      By: Olga Grygorashyk
      Teacher's aides may grade student assignments.
    • Teacher aides are employed by elementary and grammar schools.
      By: contrastwerkstatt
      Teacher aides are employed by elementary and grammar schools.
    • Teacher's aides may tutor students who are falling behind.
      By: kolett
      Teacher's aides may tutor students who are falling behind.
    • Teacher's aides are involved in the preparation of lesson plans.
      By: Monkey Business
      Teacher's aides are involved in the preparation of lesson plans.
    • In most cases, teaching aides do not need to be licensed or certified.
      By: Monkey Business
      In most cases, teaching aides do not need to be licensed or certified.