What is the Role of Educational Assistants?
Educational Assistants are valued members of the school team. Educational Assistants (EA), also known as Teaching Assistants (TA) work alongside teachers in elementary, secondary, post secondary and sometimes adult education settings. They play an increasingly vital role in today’s classroom.
Generally speaking, Educational Assistants assist teachers in the implementation of classroom education plans. There are different types of Educational Assistants, but they all function as a supporting role for both the teach and the students. The duties of an Educational Assistant may include direct support for students with exceptional learning needs as indicated in individualized education plans, assistance with the learning needs of all students in the class, assisting the teacher with classroom setup, and other duties as assigned.
What Do Educational Assistants Do?
The Educational Assistant and the teacher work as a team. The EA is assigned to meet the needs of specific students or programs within the school, while the teacher is ultimately responsible for the education of all students in the class and the EA serves as a support.
The Educational Assistant’s duties varies depending on the type of school and level of education. The EA may assist students with lessons under direct supervision of the teacher, assist special needs students, such as those with mental or physical disabilities, or with mobility and communication issues. They are responsible for the the classroom setup, displays and bulletins. In addition, EAs also assist teachers in the completion of daily class, including the operation of projectors, tape recorders and other audio-visual or electronic equipment, the monitoring of classroom performance, and the marking of tests and worksheets. In schools containing younger students, EA may be assigned to supervise students during activities in school gymnasia, laboratories, libraries, resource centres and on field trips. Other than the above common duties, EAs may also assist in school library or office and perform other duties assigned by the school board.
How to Become an Educational Assistant?
The minimum qualifications to become an Educational Assistant are a High School Diploma or equivalent, proficiency in English or French, experience or training in working with students, and enthusiasm for the educational field. Even though each school board has different requirements for Educational Assistant positions, most schools prefer their Educational Assistants to have specialized career training or higher education. A college diplomas in the field of Early Childhood Education (ECE), Youth Care Worker (YCW), or Educational Assistant (EA), will definitely help you stand out in the job market.
At Academy of Learning College, the Educational Assistant Diploma program is designed to prepare students for working in the education field. Its objective is to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to pursue employment as an Educational Assistant. During the duration of the program, participants will be acquainted with the various disciplines theories and best practices related to child development, children learning processes and teaching techniques, classroom management and student supervision. The program also covers the different roles the Educational Assistant plays in both the special education and early childhood.
How Much Do Educational Assistants Make?
Some EAs work on contracts that extend for ten months of the year, and could earn an average pay of C$20.05 per hour. The average annual pay for Educational Assistants in Canada can be found in the interval between $25,277 and $52,489, with a possible bonus of $989. Also, skills associated with Autism lead to higher pay in this field, as EAs are often assigned to assist students who needs special support. In recent years, EAs in all district school boards have organized into either unions or associations. These groups have made gains in salary, benefits and some job security.
As the largest career college in Canada with 50 campuses across the country, Academy of Learning College attributes the growth in our success to identifying the gap between the formal education available and the realities of the working world. We fulfill the needs of learners by developing customized programs for each student, while meeting the requirements for convenient and effective training at an affordable cost. Browse our program list by province and find the best program that suits your needs!