Elementary and Secondary School Teacher Assistants

(NOC 4413)

in All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services

Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants support students and help teachers and counsellors with teaching and non-instructional tasks. They help in areas of personal care, teaching and behaviour management under the supervision of teachers or other childcare professionals. They work for public and private schools and treatment centres.

Job Outlook

Good

Read more

  • Estimate Stable employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 300 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Low rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services

  • Estimate 1830 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 5515 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$14.50

Minimum

$18.00

Median

$22.65

Maximum

Annual Pay

$2,825

Minimum

$21,213

Median

$36,121

Maximum

Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services

Hourly Pay

$16.30

Minimum

$30.00

Median

$51.30

Maximum

Annual Pay

$5,616

Minimum

$44,335

Median

$92,599

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants support students and help teachers and counsellors with teaching and non-instructional tasks. They help in areas of personal care, teaching and behaviour management under the supervision of teachers or other childcare professionals. They work for public and private schools and treatment centres.

Job duties

Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants:

  • Help students with integration into the classroom and school setting.
  • Help students individually or in small groups with assignments and reinforce learning and retention concepts under the supervision of classroom teacher.
  • Help students with special needs using techniques like sign language, braille, and remedial programs.
  • Monitor and report student progress to classroom teacher.
  • Help implement and track behaviour management plans as developed by the teacher and/or program planning team.
  • Accompany and supervise students during activities in school gymnasiums, laboratories, libraries, resource centres and on field trips.
  • Personal care may be required (including lifting, positioning, toileting, feeding).
  • May administer medication and carry out medical procedures under the direction of principals and in accordance with policy.
  • May help teacher operate projectors, tape recorders, and other audio-visual or electronic equipment.
  • May help in school library or office and do other duties assigned by school principal.
  • May monitor students during recess, at noon hour or during the day.

Sample job titles

  • child care attendant - elementary school
  • educational program assistant
  • lunchroom supervisor - school
  • program support assistant
  • special needs educational assistant
  • student monitor
  • student support assistant
  • teacher's aide
  • teacher's assistant
  • teacher's helper

Skills

  • You should enjoy working with children. Good health and physical stamina are needed. You must be patient, imaginative, and resourceful. The ability to work in a team environment is necessary. You must have the ability to demonstrate fair and ethical judgements and maintain confidentiality as the norm. You must model appropriate problem solving and conflict resolution strategies. The ability to communicate ideas in a clear, concise, and pleasant manner is also necessary.

Job requirements

  • High school is required.
  • Teacher assistants usually require completion of a 10-month college program in teaching assistance, human services, educational assistance or other social science program.
  • Current certification in CPR, First Aid, and non-violent crisis intervention are required.

Other considerations

  • Movement to other occupations related to child care and adolescent supportive instruction is possible with experience. Teacher assistants who help students with special needs usually require specialized training and experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

4,010

employed in 2016

42.3%

employed full-time

0.2%

self employed

90.5%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
9.5%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
49.7

median age

Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services

55,420

employed in 2016

76.4%

employed full-time

6.6%

self employed

64.0%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
36%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
43.5

median age

Where will I likely work?

40.8%

Halifax

$18,236 median annual income
16.5%

Cape Breton

$23,085 median annual income
15.6%

North Shore

$21,906 median annual income
15.5%

Annapolis Valley

$23,863 median annual income
11.6%

Southern

$20,620 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

99.7%

Educational services

0.3%

Accommodation and food services

What is the age of Employment?

28.0%

45-54

28.0%

55-64

26.0%

35-44

6.0%

65+

6.0%

15-24

6.0%

25-34

Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services

24.2%

35-44

22.7%

45-54

21.4%

25-34

17.2%

55-64

8.4%

15-24

Top levels of education

42.2%

College Diploma

$22,924 median annual income
23.7%

High school

$16,723 median annual income
15.0%

Bachelor

$17,061 median annual income
6.1%

Trade Certification

$23,973 median annual income
6.0%

Less than high school

$4,158 median annual income

Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services

28.9%

Bachelor

$45,929 median annual income
21.2%

College Diploma

$35,398 median annual income
16.8%

Master

$71,043 median annual income
14.6%

High school

$29,055 median annual income
4.6%

Doctorate

$100,443 median annual income

Education & training

Developmental Service Worker

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare individuals to apply practical knowledge and skills to support individuals with a variety of physical, mental or developmental disabilities in a family or community setting. They include courses in health care, basic nutrition, pharmacology, nursing, autism, mental health, psychology, sociology, behavioural analysis, communication, intervention, counselling and community services, and developmental services, such as literacy and life skills training.

Institutions providing this program

CBBC Career College Inc. - Sydney Campus

Sydney, NS

Maritime Business College

Lower Sackville, NS

Island Career Academy

Sydney, NS

CBBC Career College Inc. - Dartmouth Campus

Dartmouth, NS

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Human Services

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs focus on the general study and provision of human and social services to individuals and communities and prepare students to work in public and private human services agencies and organizations. They include courses in the social sciences, psychology, principles of social service, human services policy, planning and evaluation, social services law and administration, and applications to particular issues, services, localities, and populations.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Teaching Assistants

College or University Program

These programs prepare individuals to help a teacher in regular classroom settings or in providing instruction and supervision to special student populations like bilingual/bicultural students, special education students, adult learners, and students learning English. They include courses in techniques of general classroom supervision, maintaining order, assisting with lessons and carrying out related assignments.

Institutions providing this program

CBBC Career College Inc. - Sydney Campus

Sydney, NS

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Jane Norman College (Truro)

Truro, NS

CBBC Career College Inc. - Dartmouth Campus

Dartmouth, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Nova Scotia Teachers Union
Halifax, NS