Teacher Assistant (SC)
Program Overview:
Your Dream to Become a Teacher Starts Here!
Prepare eggs for a 2nd grade chemistry experiment. Take attendance and help children put their jackets and lunches away as their teacher starts the day’s lesson. Supervise outside playtime at a childcare center. Grade and record math and vocabulary homework. Set up the computer lab for an interactive spelling game. Help organize a field trip to the local children’s museum. Teachers are one of society’s most valuable assets as they introduce children to the world one lesson at a time.
Teacher assistants and para-educators play a vital role in providing support to classrooms and daycare centers so that children of all ages can thrive. As the field of education continues to change, the partnership between teachers and teacher assistants is more important than ever. It provides higher teacher to student ratios and ensures each child has access to learning vital social skills and a quality education. Teacher Assistants help to provide children a safe and vibrant environment in which to learn.
Want to be a teacher? LASC’s Teacher Assistant Skill Certificate is your first step to becoming one! Successfully completing this program will fulfill the academic requirements you’ll need for entry-level, engaging occupations in our local school districts. Start your future in teaching today!
Careers in Education
Teacher Assistants and Para-educators occupy roles in and out of the classroom, and in a variety of educational institutions – including preschools, daycare centers, and elementary, secondary, special education, and recreational programs.
Here are some occupations and their salaries you could have by receiving a Teacher Assistant Skill Certificate:
Career information below taken from bls.gov December 2019. Go to bls.gov for most current career information.
Work with a licensed teacher to give student additional attention and instruction.
Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Some college | $36,460/year | N/A |
| Work Experience in a Relate Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 5% increase (as fast as average) | 52,700 |
Attend to the basic needs of children, such as dressing, bathing, feeding, and overseeing play.
Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | $27,880/year | $13.41/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| Short-term on the job training | 5% increase (as fast as average) | 22,250 |
Educate and care for children younger than age 5 who have not yet entered kindergarten.
Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | $38,190/year | $18.36/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 5% increase (as fast as average) | 17,040 |
Help patients develop, recover, improve, as well as maintain the skills needed for daily living and working.
Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree or higher | $67,210/year | $32.31/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| Short-term on the job training | 1% increase (little or no change) | 910 |
What You’ll Learn at LASC in Education
You can get a Skill Certificate in Teacher Assistant (SC) through LASC’s Education program where you will refine your leadership skills, expand your creativity, and become students’ greatest advocate:
- Discover where major problems are in the public education system so you can begin to develop possible solutions to overcoming them.
- Learn in LASC’s newly renovated Child Development Center that provides a safe and modern environment where you will be able to watch others interact with children and use laboratory classrooms to build your skills.
- Notice the political, economic, and demographic changes that affect schools as public institutions, their curricula, and teacher practices so you can build your awareness of what’s been done previously, what works well, and what needs to be improved so you can create a strong program of your own.
- Receive effective teacher assisting techniques to equip you with the latest education methods and strategies to be a productive and valuable resource for your classrooms and the teachers you work with.
- LASC provides internships so you can build your career connections and create community ties for after you graduate.
- Want to get a bachelor’s degree? Visit your academic counselor or the Transfer Center to find out how you can benefit from going to a four-year college or university to gain even more academic knowledge and hands-on techniques to build upon what you will learn at LASC and allow you to become a teacher even faster.
Degrees & Courses You Will Take
Review LASC’s Teacher Assistant Skill Certificate and our suggested course of study for these programs. Go to LASC’s current Course Catalog for specific course information:
Major Code: 801.01
Total Units Required: 20
Upon successful completion of this program, you will be able to:
- Evaluate major problems of the public education system and describe possible solutions.
- Describe how political, economic, and demographic changes affect schools as public institutions, their curricula, and teacher practice.
- Demonstrate effective teacher assisting techniques.
| Required Courses: | Units |
|---|---|
| EDUC 1 Introduction to Teaching | 3 |
| EDUC 203 Education in American Society | 3 |
| EDUC 385 Directed Study-Education | 3 |
| CH DEV 1 Child Growth and Development | 3 |
| ENGLISH 28 Intermediate Reading and Composition I | 3 |
| MATH 115 Elementary Algebra | 5 |
| TOTAL UNITS | 20 |
Get Ready Before You Start
Interested in a career as a Teacher Assistant? Before your first class starts at LASC, you can start preparing for your career in education:
- Make an appointment with your LASC academic counselor to review LASC’s program, develop your Student Education Plan (SEP), and discuss what additional support services and opportunities you can be a part of. This is a great time to let your counselor know what your career goals are to find out if continuing your education would be beneficial.
- Still in high school? Look for opportunities to volunteer in after-school programs for younger students. Talk with your high school counselor to explore openings in your community to intern or shadow someone at a daycare center or preschool.
Program Learning Outcomes
Once you successfully complete this program, you will be able to:
- Evaluate major problems of the public education system and describe possible solutions.
- Describe how political, economic, and demographic changes affect schools as public institutions, their curricula, and teacher practice.
- Demonstrate effective teacher assisting techniques.