Teacher Aide Certification in Louisiana

<p>While teacher aides in Louisiana do not need certification, you must meet one of several education requirements before you take a position in the Louisiana education system. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td>Education/Experience Required</td><td>High school diploma at minimum; at least 48 college credit hours or a 2-year degree may be required</td></tr> <tr><td>Exams Required</td><td> Praxis ParaPro or other standardized test can be taken in lieu of college credit or a degree</td></tr> <tr><td>Average Salary (2018)*</td><td>$21,510 for Louisiana teacher assistants</td></tr> <tr><td>Job Growth (2016-2026)* </td><td>8% for teacher assistants nationwide</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---JobDescription">Job Description</h3> <p>A teacher aide, or teaching assistant, directly helps a teacher in a classroom setting. In this role, you might make note of any absent students or help set up desks and chairs. You could also monitor students while they are on a break from the classroom, such as during recess or field trips. Your main job is to supplement the teacher in charge of the classroom and remind students of the material they absorb. If you are working with students who have disabilities, your job may be more hands-on and involve helping students with their personal hygiene or meals. You could also end up working in a specialized classroom, like a computer lab or music room. If you work in a childcare center, you'll spend plenty of time helping children during their playtime. </p> <h3 id="section---EducationAndTrainingRequirements">Education and Training Requirements</h3> <p>Teacher aides in Louisiana need a minimum of a high school diploma. You can also qualify for a position as a teacher aide at Title I schools with a minimum of 48 college credits, equal to two years in a college or university. To earn these credits, you could enter a degree program offered at the community college level, where you'll find degrees like an Associate of Science in Teaching. You could also pursue a technical diploma in your field. When selecting your courses, be sure that you include English composition and math classes when you register. Some employers stipulate that applicants have completed a certain number of credit hours in these subjects. </p> <h3 id="section---ExamRequirements">Exam Requirements</h3> <p>If you don't have an associate degree or 48 hours of college credit, you'll need to pass the Praxis ParaPro exam designed specifically for educational supporters if you want to teach at a Title I school. You'll be quizzed on your math, reading, and writing ability in one exam that takes two and a half hours to complete. All the test questions come in a multiple-choice format, and you'll find content designed to assess your basic academic skills as well as your ability to apply them in the classroom. </p> <p>Some parishes administer their own teacher aide exams. These might cover similar topics in reading and writing while also testing your knowledge of what it takes to teach preschoolers. </p> <h3 id="section---JobOutlookAndSalaryInformation">Job Outlook and Salary Information</h3> <p>Teacher aide positions are expected to grow at around the average rate for all other jobs, according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). A rise of 8% is expected for all teaching assistant positions from 2016 to 2026. You could earn an average salary of $21,510 as a teacher assistant in Louisiana. This is considerably lower than the national average of $28,750, according to 2018 figures from the BLS. Keep in mind that your earnings potential could be greater local elementary and secondary schools than in child daycare centers.</p>