Some community colleges offer teacher aide training programs. However, most teacher aides learn on the job. Workers who are interested in education and who enjoy assisting students do well in this job. Interpreters who know sign language for hearing-impaired students are in demand. Employers need teacher aides to work with students who have physical or learning disabilities.
Many aides start as volunteers to gain experience.
For a teacher aide to advance to working as a classroom teacher requires a four-year college degree and teacher's certificate. Some states require that teacher aides be licensed or certified. Requirements vary by state. Contact your state Department of Education to determine whether a license is required in your state.