If you’re feeling called to a career in early childhood education, teaching assistant and teacher’s aide jobs can be great avenues to explore. While you may hear these job titles used interchangeably, a key difference comes down to the type of role they play within the classroom.
Teacher assistants work alongside qualified teachers to help students understand and practice their curriculum. They assist with instruction and contribute to classroom lessons.
Teacher aides work on more clerical tasks like setting up classrooms and supplies needed for the children. They may also help a student complete tasks one-on-one.
A teacher aide's work tends to be non-instructional, contributing more to the social atmosphere (play, fun!) and the functional flow of the classroom.
*It's important to note that these distinctions are about teacher’s assistant vs teacher's aide in early childhood education (typically with infants to 4-year-olds). The differences can be different for elementary schools or middle schools, even if you see the same job titles.
A teacher assistant’s role in the classroom
"As a teaching assistant, you have an enormous opportunity," says Dr. Mary Muhs, the Dean of Education at Rasmussen University. "In early childhood education and childcare programs, a teacher’s assistant is a right-hand working in tandem with the supervising teacher. They are partners in the learning environment."
In the classroom, Muhs explains, a teaching assistant might do all of the following tasks.
- Maintaining the learning environment
- Developing lesson plans and courses
- Implementing activities and projects
- Acting as a knowledgeable liaison between the lead teacher and the families
A teaching assistant should be as active with the children and families as possible, working in partnership with the lead teacher who has primary accountability.
"I have worked in several programs as a lead teacher with a teacher's assistant. One program thought of the teaching assistant as a co-lead with the lead teacher having the accountability." In this case, Muhs says all the roles were equally divided between the two professionals.
"It was a true team atmosphere," Muhs smiles. "I remember being so thrilled when my teaching assistant was promoted to a lead position in another age group. She transitioned into that role seamlessly, feeling confident in her ability."
Teacher’s assistant responsibilities
- Provide teaching support to small groups of students
- Monitor student progress and give feedback
- Tutor students who may need extra help
- Lead classroom activities and assist with instruction
- Attend teaching courses and seminars to continue education
Teacher’s assistant traits
- Attention to detail and organization
- Passion for early childhood education and development
- Effective communication skills with teachers, children and their parents
- Patience and flexibility to tailor teaching to individuals and their strengths
A teacher's aide's role in the classroom
"As a teacher's aide, you are an integral part of the regular learning environment with the children," Muhs says.
"An aide is often incorrectly thought of as a side role, who is there to do the program's side jobs (like cleaning). But an aide is often the glue that holds the teaching team and the program together."
Yes, aides have less experience and less accountability when it comes to lesson plans and communication with families, Muhs explains. This allows them to be very active in the children's play, developing strong relationships with all the children.
Aides might step in when a child needs a Band-Aid® on the playground or help a student use the bathroom during nap time.
"Aides have the ability to bring life and energy into a learning space, supporting the assistant and lead teachers when it has been a rough day."
Teacher’s aide responsibilities
- Taking attendance, grading tests and other administrative tasks that offset a lead teacher's workload
- Setting up classroom stations and activities
- Overseeing student safety, support and physical care, particularly with daycare and special education classes
Teacher’s aide traits
- Clear and effective communication when enforcing classroom rules
- Patience and flexibility to adapt to unexpected circumstances
- Attention to detail and proactive with recognizing administrative needs
- Technical skills are a plus² for helping integrate technology in the classroom
Teacher's assistant vs. teacher's aide: Education requirements
While each state may have different qualifications for being a teaching assistant, they generally will require some education courses in child development or early childhood education.
Teaching assistants will need additional education to move to the lead teacher position. Some ECE employers will also offer tuition assistance to help their employees gain this education. Learn more at Rasmussen University's Early Childhood Education Online Program.
A teacher's aide may not need any educational background in child development or early childhood education, according to Muhs. These can be entry-level roles in an ECE school or childcare program.
But they should, of course, have an interest in working with children in a group setting. An aide is a perfect first step for all early childhood educators who dream of being a lead teacher or program director one day.
"Being an aide is often a new educator's first position in an early childhood setting," Muhs says. "This role gives an opportunity to really explore the possibilities available to them, including which age group they enjoy working with and what teaching qualities they want to grow in themselves."
Career progression in early childhood education
Generally, there is a progression ECE employers follow with wages or salary based upon the position ladder, Muhs says.
Aide is the first position on the ladder, then there's a bump up for assistant teachers. In early childhood education, wages usually coincide with meeting the state qualifications and your educational attainment.
Every program is different though, so ask qualified teachers or employers to understand how it works.
Don't wait to start gaining experience
"I highly encourage educators to get a job in ECE while they are earning their educational accomplishments," Muhs says. After 35 years of experience in early childhood education, she's seen that combining work experience with education is the best way to support your career.
For one thing, some ECE employers offer tuition reimbursement plans to encourage their employees to get credentials like the CDA® or an ECE degree. For another, working with young children might be different than you expect, if you've never done it.
"Do not just wait until you earn a degree," Muhs says. "There are many opportunities for early childhood educators to start working in programs as an aide, then move up to an assistant, and then to a lead teacher. The progression gives you a chance to observe teachers and programs in action."
This building up of roles is also to help you find direction. "You will quickly discover your strengths, areas of growth and your dreams for the kind of educator you want to be," Muhs says.
Both assistants and aides can build meaningful careers
It's so important to keep the big picture of your career in mind.
It's so easy to get preoccupied with the day-to-day motion of early childhood education. You're getting their little shoes on, wiping hands, laughing at the absolutely heart-warming things they do and say, and suddenly years have gone by.
An education in ECE can give you a strong foundation for a career in this important industry. And this kind of education can be really fun and interesting. It can even change the way you look at early childhood!
Check out 10 Reasons to Pursue Your Early Childhood Education Degree Online at Rasmussen to see how.
The Early Childhood Education programs at Rasmussen University are not designed to meet, and do not meet, the educational requirements for licensure to teach in public preschools, or kindergarten, elementary, or secondary schools in any state. The Rasmussen University Early Childhood Education programs are not approved by any state agency that licenses teachers. Childcare facilities and the states in which they are located establish qualifications for staff that work with children, and often implement guidelines regarding age, education, experience, background, and professional development. Before enrolling, it is important to understand all of the licensure eligibility standards for a desired career by consulting the appropriate state and school/facility requirements.
CDA® is a registered trademark of Council for Professional Recognition.
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