Teacher Aide
Teacher aides support teachers in a classroom by helping individual students with the lesson or a specific programme.
Tasks & duties
Teacher aides may do some or all of the following:
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work with students on individual education programmes and ensure they complete work to the best of their ability
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go over lessons with individual students
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work with small groups of students under supervision
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help with extra activities such as physical exercise or physiotherapy
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meet with teachers and parents to discuss the students' progress
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meet with special education teachers to help implement a special education programme
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assist with planning individual lessons
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distribute medication for students who need it, according to school policy
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assist with or carry out personal care of a student, such as toileting or eating
Skills & knowledge
Teacher aides need to have:
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knowledge of working with and implementing programmes for students who have special needs
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understanding of the school curriculum and the subject areas that they are providing support in
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teaching skills, and understanding of different teaching methods and learning styles
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knowledge of child learning and development
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communication skills, and the ability to relate well to students and adults
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skill in managing students in groups and individually
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knowledge of school rules and procedures, including safety and emergency procedures
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understanding of a range of cultures
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good written communication skills
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practical, organisational and problem-solving skills
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creative ability
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first aid skills
Entry requirements
To become a teacher aide you need to have at least three years of secondary education.
Training on the job
Many skills are gained on the job, and there are a wide variety of training courses available that teacher aides are encouraged to participate in.
Useful experience
Useful experience for teacher aides includes childcare work, nursing, teaching experience or work experience with people with a disability. When employing teacher aides, schools often place greater emphasis on relevant experience than on formal qualifications.
For more information, please refer to Career Services.
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