Nature of Work
Teacher aides provide instructional and clerical support for classroom teachers, allowing teachers more time for lesson planning and teaching. Teacher aides tutor and assist children in learning class material using the teacher's lesson plans, providing students with individualized attention. They may also assist and supervise students in the cafeteria, schoolyard, or on field trips. Most perform a combination of instructional and clerical duties.

Jobs
Teachers aides, instructional aids and paraeducators.

Employers
Schools, daycare providers, and libraries.

Outlook
Employment of teacher aides is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2006. Student enrollments at the elementary and secondary level are expected to rise, spurring strong demand for the teacher aides. A growing special education population will also create demand.

Earnings
Earnings vary by region, work experience, and academic qualifications. In Illinois, the middle wage range in 1997 was $16,420-$20,060/yr. According to a survey of salaries in public schools, conducted by the Educational Research Service, aides involved in teaching activities averaged $9.04/hr, and those performing only non-teaching activities averaged $8.52/hr.

Tech Prep
The Teacher Aide program is currently designed for Tech Prep. Students in High School should contact their High School Counselor.

Earnings vary greatly according to location, experience, and individual.