THere are different pay scales depending on how much experience you have. Someone in their first year isn't going to get as much as a 4th year. I actually have a casual day coming up as an aide - the school just rang me out of the blue and asked me if I wanted to do it. But they know I'm a student teacher and it's my kid's school. So I guess I haven't found it hard at all, but then it's only a one off casual day to fill in for someone who will be away. I'd be surprised if it lead to more work. By the sounds of it though, if you wanted to cross over to being an aide instead of what you're doing now, you shouldn't find it too hard at all.