Teacher Aide - About the job (2023)

Kaiāwhina Kaiako

Alternative titles for this job

Teacher aides assist teachers in a classroom by working with students on a one-to-one basis, or in groups.

Pay

Teacher aides usually earn

$21-$35 per hour

Source: NZEI, E Tū and The Secretary for Education, 2019.

Job opportunities

Teacher Aide - About the job (1)

Chances of getting a job as a teacher aide are average as vacancies are increasing, but competition is high.

Length of training

There are no specific training requirements. Find out more about how to enter the job.

Industry

  • Education

Teacher Aide - About the job (2)Vocational PathwaysMore

  • Social and community services

Pay

Pay for teacher aides varies depending on experience.

  • New teacher aides usually earn $21 an hour.
  • Teacher aides with more experience or specialist skills can earn up to $35 an hour.

Source: NZEI Te Riu Roa, E Tū and The Secretary for Education, 'Support Staff in Schools'Collective Agreement– 13 December 2019 to 6 February 2022', 2019.

(This information is a guide only.Find out more about the sources of our pay information)

What you will do

Teacher aides may do some or all of the following:

  • work with students one to one, and in small groups, following a programme prepared by the teacher
  • help with extra activities such as physical exercise or physiotherapy
  • meet with teachers and parents to discuss students' progress
  • help teachers plan lessons for students with special educational needs
  • help students learn English as a second language
  • give medication to students who need it
  • assist students with personal care such as toileting or eating.

Skills and knowledge

Teacher aides need to have knowledge of:

  • how to work with students who have special needs
  • the school curriculum and subject areas in which they work
  • different teaching methods and learning styles
  • behavioural management techniques, such as ways to calm an angry child
  • child learning and development
  • school rules, policies and procedures, including safety and emergency procedures
  • first aid.

Working conditions

Teacher aides:

  • usually work part time, up to 30 hours a week during school hours, but may attend meetings outside these hours
  • work in school classrooms, libraries, computer suites and playgrounds
  • may work in stressful conditions with students who can get violent when angry or upset
  • may take students on visits to places in the community such as the library.

What's the job really like?

Teacher Aide - About the job (3)

Matt Benassi

Teacher Aide

Maths and ice cream a cool blend

"I have a passion for seeing other people learn," says teacher aide Matt Benassi. He works alongside secondary student James, who has cerebral palsy, and does all James’ writing for him, as well as interpreting information from teachers in a way James can easily understand.

"James is amazing. When we are in a maths class and he gets a problem that some adults can't even do, I just love it! We have this game – if he gets a hard question right, I give him points; if he does something silly, I give myself a point. Whoever gets to five points owes the other an ice cream. Right now, he owes me an ice cream and I owe him one!"

Nailing unexpected problems

Thinking on your feet is definitely a quality teacher aides need, says Matt. "On one of our trips out James' electric wheelchair got a flat tyre from a nail and we were stuck in the street for ages. In the end I managed to contact his dad who brought the manual wheelchair and James and I ended up having a good laugh about it."

Entry requirements

There are no specific requirements to become a teacher aide. However, many employers prefer to hire teacher aides who have experience working with young people.

Teacher aides must undergo a police background check.

The Vulnerable Children Act 2014 means that if you have certain serious convictions, you can’t be employed in a role where you are responsible for, or work alone with, children.

  • Ministry of Justice website - information on Vulnerable Children Act requirements

Secondary education

A minimum of three years of secondary education is recommended. Useful subjects include English, health education, languages, maths and te reo Māori.

For Year 11 to 13 learners, the Gateway programme is a good way to gain relevant experience and skills.

Personal requirements

Teacher aides need to be:

  • understanding and patient
  • able to follow instructions
  • able to work well under pressure
  • enthusiastic, open-minded and able to motivate children
  • skilled at communicating clearly with children and adults from a range of backgrounds and cultures
  • practical, organised and good at solving problems quickly
  • creative and adaptable
  • able to work well in a team.

You need to have a lot of patience – that's probably the number one virtue for a teacher aide. If you have that then you have an unlimited ability to help your student learn. Being adaptable is also really important, as you never know what direction the day is going to head in.

Teacher Aide - About the job (4)

Matt Benassi

Teacher Aide

Useful experience

Useful experience for teacher aides includes:

  • childcare
  • nursing
  • teaching
  • parenting
  • working with people who have a disability.

Physical requirements

Teacher aides need to be reasonably fit as they may carry out physical tasks such as helping students with disabilities to move around.

Check out related courses

What are the chances of getting a job?

High competition for teacher aide vacancies

Your chances of securing a job as a teacher aide are bestif you have experience working with children or young people.

Teacher aide vacancies are increasing, but competition for them is high. This is because teacher aides only work during school hours and school terms, so the job is attractive to those wishing to work family-friendly hours locally.

According to the Census, 17,859 teacher aides worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Types of employers varied

Teacher aides work in:

  • primary and intermediate schools (67%)
  • secondary schools (26%)
  • special schools (7%).

You can also work in the early childhood sector as an education support worker.

Sources

  • Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, 'Annual Percentage Change in Advertised Job Vacancies, January 2017 to January 2018 Quarters', 20 February 2018, (www.mbie.govt.nz).
  • NZEI Te Riu Roa, 'Principals' Survey: Intentions for 2018', 12 December 2017, (www.nzei.org.nz).
  • Russell, A, 'Fraught and Frustrated: Parents Battle for Special Needs Children', 23 May 2017, (www.newsroom.co.nz).
  • The Spinoff, 'Why Teacher Aides are Crucial to Classrooms: A Principal and an Aide Write', 29 January 2018, (www.thespinoff.co.nz).
  • Stats NZ, '2018 Census Data', 2019.
  • Stuff, 'School Support Staff Battle Low Wages and Lack of Job Security', 8 May 2017, (www.stuff.co.nz).

(This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our job opportunities information)

Progression and specialisations

Teacher aides can specialise in a number of roles, including:

Education Support Worker
Education support workers work alongside a teacher or therapist with children in early childhood who have special needs.
Special Education Assistant
Special education assistants work alongside a teacher or therapist with children who have a physical disability.

With further training, teacher aides may progress to become early childhood teachers, primary or secondary school teachers, or Kaiwhakaako Māori.

  • Early childhood teacher information
  • Primary school teacher information
  • Kaiwhakaako Māori information
  • Secondary school teacher information

Teacher aides support students' learning, from early childhood to secondary school

Related jobs:

Early Childhood Teacher Kaiako Kōhungahunga

Early childhood teachers educate and care for young children in kindergartens, kōhanga reo or childcare centres. Kōhanga reo kaiako also help children learn te reo Māori and tikanga Māori (culture and customs).

Kaiwhakaako Māori Kaiwhakaako Māori

Kaiwhakaako Māori teach in te reo Māori at primary and secondary schools.

Primary School Teacher Kaiako Kura Tuatahi

Primary school teachers teach children between the ages of five and 13 at primary or intermediate schools.

Private Teacher/Tutor Kaiako Whaiaro

Private teachers/tutors teach a specific skill or subject to individuals or small groups of children or adults.

Secondary School Teacher Kaiako Kura Tuarua

Secondary school teachers plan, prepare and teach one or more subjects to students between the ages of 13 and 18.

Related courses:

Teacher Education not elsewhere classified

Job vacancy websites:

View a list of job vacancy and recruitment websites

Last updated 8 August 2022

FAQs

What are the responsibilities of a teacher's aide? ›

Provides support to the teacher to ensure a safe and stimulating educational environment. Assists the teacher in planning and preparation for daily activities; aids instructional efforts of the teacher. Assists the teacher in preparing lesson outlines, plans, and curricula in assigned areas.

What is the job of an aide? ›

Supports patients by providing housekeeping and laundry services, shopping for food and other household requirements, preparing and serving meals and snacks, and running errands. Assists patients by providing personal services, such as, bathing, dressing, and grooming.

How do I prepare for a teacher's aide interview? ›

Prepare for questions like these:
  1. Do you have a background in education?
  2. What's your experience working in a school setting like?
  3. Tell me about your time as a student.
  4. Have you performed clerical tasks before?
  5. How has your education and experience prepared you for this role?
  6. Have you worked as a teacher's aide before?

What are the qualities of a good teacher aide? ›

What are the qualities required to be a teaching assistant?
  • Good communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly to teachers and students.
  • Active listening skills.
  • Compassion and sensitivity towards children.
  • Knowledge of the curriculum.
  • Ability to use a computer.
  • Can work well under pressure.

How are teacher aides used in the classroom? ›

Working effectively with a Teacher Aide and making the most of their much sought after time takes planning.
...
Remember to Say 'Thank You'
  1. build and nurture a positive relationship with your TA.
  2. communicate effectively with your TA.
  3. provide your TA with the support and resources that they need to do their job effectively.
30 May 2022

Why should we hire you as a teacher assistant? ›

Example: "I think I'm the best candidate for this role because I have proven experience working with children of different ages and with different backgrounds. That experience has helped me develop my teaching skills and hone my ability to employ a variety of different instructional methods.

What do you mean by aide? ›

Definition of aide

: a person who acts as an assistant a teacher's aide specifically : a military officer who acts as an assistant to a superior officer.

What does the name aide mean? ›

Meaning and Origin of: Aide

French : either from the masculine noun aide meaning 'helper', 'assistant', or the feminine one, aide, meaning 'help', 'assistance'.

Is it a job aid or job aide? ›

Job aids are simple, clear instructions on how to do something at work. They can include cheat sheets, memory joggers, one-pagers, performance support tools, direction lists, and much more. Essentially, anything designed to reduce avoidable mistakes at work can be considered a job aid.

What skills do you need to be a Teacher Assistant? ›

What skills do teaching assistants need? Like any role in education, good communication skills form a vital part of the day-to-day activities. From explaining tasks to youngsters concisely to building solid relationships with pupils and other staff, it's one of the most important skills to have.

Why do you want this job? ›

Focus on the job at hand

'I want this job because I have clear skills that will help me achieve...' 'This role will give me the opportunity to combine both my skills in [skill 1] and [skill 2] to achieve...' 'I love [job role specific task] and my last job took me away from that.

How do you answer tell me about yourself? ›

8 more tips for answering “Tell me about yourself”
  1. Remember this is often your first impression, and it matters. ...
  2. Tailor your answer to the role and company. ...
  3. Know your audience. ...
  4. Keep it professional. ...
  5. But speak with passion. ...
  6. Don't ramble. ...
  7. Practice, practice, practice—but stop short of memorizing. ...
  8. Keep it positive.
20 Jul 2022

Why are you interested in this position? ›

I see this opportunity as a way to contribute to an exciting/forward-thinking/fast-moving company/industry, and I feel I can do so by/with my …” “I feel my skills are particularly well-suited to this position because …” “I believe I have the type of knowledge to succeed in this role and at the company because …”

How do teacher aides help teachers? ›

They are responsible for planning, implementation and ongoing monitoring and evaluation of learning. The main role of a teacher's aide is to aid the teacher (not a 'helper' for individual students). Teachers' aides work within the classroom programme alongside the teacher.

How do I become a successful teacher aide? ›

Teacher aides need to be:
  1. understanding and patient.
  2. able to follow instructions.
  3. able to work well under pressure.
  4. enthusiastic, open-minded and able to motivate children.
  5. skilled at communicating clearly with children and adults from a range of backgrounds and cultures.

How do teaching assistants support the school? ›

As a support to the Teacher, a Teaching Assistant should: Prepare the classroom as directed for lessons, clear away afterwards and assist with displays of pupils work. n Be aware of pupil problems/progress/achievements and report to the teacher as agreed.

Why do you want to work at this school? ›

This school has an excellent reputation for the quality of its teaching and the excellent behaviour of its pupils. I would love to become part of such a committed team and add my own skills and experience to further strengthen the high-quality experience that this school offers its students.

What makes you best qualified for this position? ›

When answering this interview question, focus on the skills and qualities you possess that most closely align with the needs and requirements of the role. For example: Hard or soft skills, like software expertise, or excellent customer service skills. Qualities like dedication, determination and perseverance.

What is an example of an aide? ›

A person who takes over some of the duties of a teacher, like handing out supplies to the students, is an example of an aide. An assistant. (military) An officer who acts as assistant to a more senior one; an aide-de-camp.

How do you use aide in a sentence? ›

How to use Aide in a sentence
  1. The secretary acts as an aide to the principal. ...
  2. After the aide let out a government secret, he was fired from his position. ...
  3. Would you be an aide to me during this busy project? ...
  4. Dee is a teacher's aide specializing in special education. ...
  5. She certainly doesn't have a teacher aide at home!

What is difference between aid and aide? ›

Aid (as a noun) means “help” or “assistance.” As a verb it means “to help” or “to assist.” An aide is an assistant.

How common is the name aide? ›

Aide has never been a top 1,000 baby name in the United States, according to the Social Security Administration.

How do you pronounce the name aide? ›

How to Pronounce Aide - YouTube

What does Hades name mean? ›

Hades, Greek Aïdes (“the Unseen”), also called Pluto or Pluton (“the Wealthy One” or “the Giver of Wealth”), in ancient Greek religion, god of the underworld. Hades was a son of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, and brother of the deities Zeus, Poseidon, Demeter, Hera, and Hestia.

Is an aide always a person? ›

An aide is always a person, usually someone whose professional responsibility is to provide assistance (or aid sans the "e").

How long should a job aid be? ›

Job aid is for quick reference and hence should be concise, to-the-point and quickly getting to the crux of its objective. It should ideally be not more than one or two pages.

When should a job aid be used? ›

#4 When Training Can't Keep Up With Change

If a procedure, workflow, or product abruptly changes, a job aid can be quite useful to stand in until more formal training can be implemented. If the change is minor, a job aid can quickly be created to explain the new process or troubleshoot the issue quickly.

What are the roles and key responsibilities of an education support worker? ›

School learning support officers works under the direction and supervision of the classroom teacher. They provide assistance to students with disability and additional learning and support needs enrolled in Schools for Specific Purposes (SSP), support classes in mainstream schools and mainstream classes.

What skills does a teacher assistant need? ›

Examples of teaching assistant skills
  • Lesson planning. This is a skill that can be applied specifically to the teaching profession. ...
  • First aid and CPR certified. Employers need to be made aware of any relevant certifications you have. ...
  • Multitasking. ...
  • Resourcefulness. ...
  • Leadership. ...
  • Team-oriented. ...
  • Patience. ...
  • Interpersonal skills.

How much do teacher aides get paid Qld? ›

Teacher aide salaries in QLD: How much do teacher aides earn in Queensland (QLD)? On average teacher aides in Queensland will earn $30.9 per hour, $235 per day, $1175 per week, and $61,117.68 per year.

What are the roles and responsibilities of support staff in schools? ›

The main role of support staff is to consider the ultimate goal as 'independence' for the child or young person in terms of developing socially and emotionally as well as in their ability to learn and work independently.

What is a teachers job description? ›

Develops, plans, and implements curriculum, lesson plans, and educational programs for student audiences within areas of expertise. Advises, tests, and teaches students audiences in a variety of academic subjects. Presents and reinforces learning concepts within a specified subject or subject area.

What are 5 responsibilities of a teacher? ›

And by the end, you'll be able to enhance the quality of education you deliver to the students.
  • Mentor. During the formative years of students, teachers play the role of a mentor. ...
  • Mediator. ...
  • Resource House. ...
  • Morale Booster and Motivator. ...
  • Demonstrator. ...
  • Continuous Learner. ...
  • A Good Listener. ...
  • Participant.
1 Feb 2022

What should I say in a teaching assistant interview? ›

Model Answer:

“As well as being hardworking, approachable and good with children, I have a number of qualities which I could bring to the Teaching Assistant role. I am an extremely patient person and I am willing to spend as much time working on one subject, word or calculation as a child needs.

What are teacher aides paid? ›

New teacher aides usually earn $21 an hour. Teacher aides with more experience or specialist skills can earn up to $35 an hour.

Do teaching assistants get paid during holidays? ›

Whether you get holiday pay will depend on the type of contract you have. Permanent full-time contacts provide paid leave for school holidays. However, most TAs are employed on term-time-only contracts, which means you don't get paid for school holidays.

What teachers get paid the most? ›

Some move into more specialized teaching roles; some of the best-paid teaching jobs include special education and gifted education.
...
  1. Superintendent. ...
  2. School Principal/Assistant Principal. ...
  3. University/College Administrator. ...
  4. Professor. ...
  5. Instructional Coordinator. ...
  6. High School Teachers.

How do teaching assistants support the teacher? ›

Teaching assistants help the Teacher map out learning strategies and prepare teaching aids and materials. Teaching assistants give feedback that is essential in helping the Teacher evaluate their plans and assess their pupils progress. They assist in daily administrative work.

What are the duty of care responsibilities of non teaching staff? ›

When non-teaching staff, volunteers and external providers agree to take personal care of students in the absence of a teacher they will owe a duty of care to the students. They must take reasonable measures to prevent harm coming to the students.

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