A brief
look at the job options for an individual with an Associate Degree in
Teaching.
An Associates of
Arts degree in teaching is usually intended to be a stepping stone to further
studies in education. Most people who decide to pursue their AA in teaching do
so because they want to get a feel for the teaching field before entering a
bachelor’s program. The classes that are required to fulfill an AA in teaching
often include many basic education courses, such as Introduction to Education
and Educational Psychology. For those individuals who do not continue on to a
four year college or university, this AA degree can be used to obtain jobs as
tutors, daycare workers, preschool teachers, aides, and substitute
teachers.
Although most
tutoring companies require their tutors to have a BA, there may be some smaller
businesses that would consider hiring someone with an AA. A better option for an
individual who is interested in tutoring is to open a private practice. This
gives the person the ability to take on as much or as little they choose, and
frees them from the restrictions and regulations that many tutoring companies
enforce. Parents who need someone to help their child in a particular subject or
with homework are very likely to feel comfortable with hiring a tutor who has an
associate’s degree. Obtaining several reliable references and advertising in the
right areas can greatly increase the chances of running a lucrative
business.
Private daycare
centers normally hire workers based on child care experience and a clean
background check, but having an AA in teaching can give an individual an edge
over other applicant’s who do not have any college education. The laws regarding
child care workers in large daycare centers vary from state to state--some may
require an associate’s degree specifically concentrated in early childhood
education, while others may even require a BA for certain
positions.
Individuals with an
associate’s degree in teaching may be able to teach preschool, though this can
vary on a center-to-center basis. The Head Start program, for example, currently
allows anyone with an AA to teach in the Early Head Start program, but requires
an AA with some form of early childhood education or development to teach in the
later Head Start program. It is interesting to note that the requirements are
set to drastically change in 2013, at which time most Head Start teachers will
have to have a bachelor’s level of education.
The most common job
people with an associate’s degree in teaching do is work as a paraprofessional
in grade schools and high schools. As teacher’s aides, they usually assist the
teacher’s with grading papers, passing out assignments, and working with
students who need help with a particular task. They are often seen as a vital
part of the education program because they take some of the pressure off the
teacher and help to ensure a better-rounded and disciplined classroom
environment.
The AA in teaching
can also be used to substitute teach. While many states do not require education
beyond a high school diploma to work as a substitute teacher, the training an
individual receives in an AA in teaching program often proves very valuable when
performing this line of work.