Reasons to Earn a Teacher's Aide Associate Degree
Many students in a Teacher's Aide Associate degree program have an interest in working with children in a teaching capacity or continuing their education to become a certified teacher. Graduating from a Teacher's Aide Associate degree program can be a rewarding experience for those looking to enter the field of education.
Teacher's Aide Associate Degree Career Opportunities
Occupational Outlook
The Occupational Outlook Handbook suggests that job opportunities for teacher's aides and assistants will grow at a rate that is about as fast as average over the next seven years. Those with additional training and specialty in areas such as teaching children with disabilities will have an edge over the competition.
Salary Information
Many teacher's assistants and teacher's aides work part time. As such, the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the average salary for these workers as around $19,410 a year as of May 2004.
Teacher's Aide Associate Degree Specifics
Required Courses
During your Teacher's Aide Associate degree program, you will learn a variety of instructional methods and techniques. Your coursework will be theory-based as you develop your skills. Specific coursework may include:
- Classroom Management
- Child Development and Learning
- English
- Math
- Introduction to Teaching Skills
- Psychology
Skills You Will Learn
There are a variety of skills needed to become a teacher's aide just as there are a variety of teaching and learning methods. During your Teacher's Aide Associate degree program, you will study the different methods and associated skills. Specific skills you will develop may include:
- Ability to prepare material for the classroom or utilize lesson plans that are already prepared
- Ability to assist the classroom or childcare facility director/teacher with instruction or administration support
- Ability to determine different instructional needs of children and manage behavior in a variety of situations
