Quick guide to roles, requirements, and employment snapshots for paraeducators / teacher aides across several countries.
Paraeducators in the United States
- Even among full-time workers, nearly 40% of paraprofessionals work less than eight hours per day.
- Most paraprofessionals who provide educational instruction work the traditional nine- to ten-month school year.
- Paraprofessionals work in a variety of settings, including private homes, preschools, and local government offices, but the majority work in classrooms in elementary, middle, and secondary schools.
- Paraprofessionals may spend much of their time standing, walking, or kneeling. Those in special education settings often perform more strenuous tasks, including lifting, as they help students with daily routines.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts there will be 1,447,600 paraprofessionals in the United States by the year 2018. Today nearly 40% work part‑time and three‑fourths work in education institutions at the state and local level; private schools, day‑care centers, and religious organizations hire most of the remainder.
- Many schools require previous experience working with children, a valid driver's license, and/or a background check.
- Those who tutor and review lessons with students must understand class materials and instructional methods, and be familiar with the organization and operation of a school.
- Paraprofessionals should know how to keep records, operate audiovisual equipment, prepare instructional materials, and have adequate computer skills.
Teacher Aides in Australia
- SSO Classroom Support Officer: Accountable to the school administrative officer for curriculum support by:
- Contributing to planning and delivery of curriculum with participating teachers.
- Delivering curriculum to children in small groups or 1:1 under teacher direction.
- Clerical/administrative duties (maintaining files, student information).
- Organizing and preparing materials/resources and learning areas within safety guidelines.
- Contributing to program evaluation with the teacher.
- Helping with special events, displays, researching/collating information, costing resources, and recommending purchases.
- Evidence from a pilot (Term 2, 2009 – Term 3, 2010) showed that using paraprofessionals to support teachers in literacy and numeracy case‑management improves student performance and confidence. (Department of Education Annual Report 2010–11)
(Source: Department of Education, Western Australia) - School learning support officers, under teacher supervision, assist with classroom activities, routines, and care/management of students with special needs. Typically they:
- Implement IEPs.
- Provide opportunities to develop personal, social, independent living, and pre‑vocational skills.
- Operate AV aids, duplicate/issue learning materials, and perform clerical duties.
- Several SLSO types exist (general, preschool, braille transcriber, sign interpreter, ethnic).
(Source: NSW Department of Education and Communities) - Most full‑ and part‑time public servants (including teacher aides) are eligible to salary package.
(Source: NSW Department of Education and Communities) - Each year on the first Friday in September, schools celebrate the support provided by teacher aides.
(Source: Queensland Government – Department of Education) - Teacher aides support teaching and learning in Education Queensland schools (resources, equipment, admin, supervision, and instruction under teacher direction).
(Source: Queensland Government) - No qualifications are required for beginning teacher aides, though a Certificate III in Education Support is highly regarded.
(Source: Queensland Government) - Professional development pathways are available for career growth.
(Source: Queensland Government) - In 2013, 154 Prep classes in 107 schools received additional teacher aide hours to support greatest‑need areas.
(Source: Queensland Government)
Paraeducators in Canada
- The Canadian government classifies paraeducators under elementary and secondary school teacher assistants.
(Source: Statistics Canada)
Common classifications include:- aide, teacher's; assistant (educational/teacher's/special education); paraeducator; paraprofessional educator; educational assistant; student monitor/support assistant; etc.
Teacher assistants support students and assist teachers/counselors with instructional and non‑instructional tasks under supervision.
(Source: Statistics Canada)Main duties:
- Assist with classroom integration; support individuals/small groups; reinforce learning.
- Support students with special needs (e.g., sign language, braille, remedial programs).
- Monitor/report progress; supervise in gyms, labs, libraries, field trips.
- Assist with AV/electronic equipment; help in library/office as assigned.
- Monitor students during recess/noon.
Employment requirements:
- Completion of secondary school.
- Usually a 10‑month college program (teaching/educational assistance or related social science).
- Specialized training/experience for special‑needs support.
Teaching Assistants in the United Kingdom
- As of November 2012 there were 232,300 teaching assistants.
- Numbers of full‑time‑equivalent teaching assistants increased from 79,000 (spring 2000) to 232,000 (Nov 2012).
- Females comprised ~92% of all TAs.
- Recorded ethnicity: “White‑British” 87.9%.
Source: School workforce statistics, Department for Education (England), published 13 Dec 2012.
Teacher Aides in New Zealand
- Teacher aides usually earn NZD $15–$23 per hour.
- Best prospects with experience and/or a qualification relevant to working with children/young people.
- Estimated numbers grew from ~13,000 (Mar 2009) to ~14,000 (Mar 2012).
- Work during school terms offers family‑friendly hours—competition for vacancies is often strong.
- Employers: primary/intermediate (67%), secondary (26%), special schools (7%). Similar roles exist in early childhood as special education support workers.
Sources:
- New Zealand Education Institute & Ministry of Education; Careers NZ interview (July 2011).
- Ministry of Education, Estimated Teacher Aide Numbers in Schools 2007–2011 (June 2011).
- NZEI, Collective Agreement for Support Staff in Schools 2009–2011 — nzei.org.nz.
- NZEI & Ministry of Education, School Support Staff: Collectively Making Resources Count (May 2011) — nzei.org.nz.