You Must Add this to Your Personal Experience to Excel as an Education Assistant

Education Assistants are an essential part of creating inclusivity within education environments. Public school systems, private schools, individual education programs, all are expanding to accommodate those with various disabilities. 

Those who have a dear friend or family member who has needed an education assistant often make great candidates to work in the role themselves, especially when they have been involved in the individual’s care. However, that personal experience isn’t enough. In order to be in-demand and skilled in the role, it’s important to take an education assistant course. 

Why You Need an Education Assistant Course to Succeed

Taking teaching assistant courses like the Ashton College Education Assistant diploma program will provide an understanding of and appreciation for the demand for specialized training in the field. So while you may have helped an individual with autism, you may not understand how their learning style and personal needs differ from someone with ADHD. Initially, your choice may be to work with individuals with one kind of educational need, but you may change your mind and choose to work explore the wide range of child, youth and adult needs in a classroom or educational context. Specialized teaching assistant courses deliver the information and skills needed to do so. 

Without an education assistant course, it is unlikely someone could fully appreciate the nuances of learning disabilities (auditory processing disorder, dyslexia, visual perceptual/visual motor deficit, etc.), communication disorders (those that affect speech and those that affect language), emotional and behavioural disorders (ADD, ADHD, etc.), developmental disabilities (autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc.) and physical disabilities (muscular dystrophy, spinal bifida, etc.). When considering your teaching assistant course, look for one with instructors who have had experience in the field and understand how to deliver program information that expands upon your personal experience with a loved one and provides more context and a greater skillset.

Skills Needed to Excel as an Education Assistant

Education assistants do best in the field when they possess some specific characteristics. These individuals have an even-temperament and are good natured. They can be creative in their communication and teaching styles and accept people of all abilities as they are. They will also be confident, organized, positive and thick-skinned because the job (while incredibly rewarding) can come with its challenges. 

Those with special needs can have behaviours that, for some, are hard to cope with. Communication can be difficult and it may seem that a setback in education is a massive issue. This is where the characteristic of patience pays off. For those that can manage the challenges, seeing clients thrive is the greatest reward possible. A sense of humour is also important in order to communicate with levity in situations wherever possible and share that with students, their families and the other teachers. 

Personal Experience is a Great Asset and Preparation Tool

Having an education assistant course as your education combined with personal experience with someone with learning disabilities can give you the background and experience needed to be an excellent education assistant. Personally working with those with disabilities will provide the practical experience and compassion needed to apply the education in real-life settings. 

Being an informal care-giver allows you to build your empathy and understanding of the individual you are helping while also giving you knowledge around their disability and how they best learn. With a formal education, that applied knowledge will grow and enable you to more quickly identify how others with different disabilities learn, react and interact. 

The combination of personal experience and interaction combined with practical education will not only make you better in your role, but it will also likely ensure that you enjoy your career to its fullest. 

Education Assistants are Relationship Builders

Education assistants are an essential part of today’s classrooms. These dedicated individuals assist students who are in need of a little more (or a lot more) attention in the classroom environment. They work directly with students, teachers, parents and others in the education assistant field. This means communication is essential to everything they do because it allows them to build the relationships required to help students thrive.

Education Assistant Courses and In-class Relationships

The first set of relationships that need to be established are those with others in an education assistant course. These programs may also often be called teaching assistant courses. Within a structured program, future education assistants will be able to share ideas and synergies, establish friendships and create a network with others who – most likely – will continue on to careers in the same field. 

Peer relationships like these can’t be underestimated. Think about the last time you had a bad day. When you want to talk about it, generally it’s to someone who has a basic understanding of the challenges you experienced. While friends and family can be sympathetic, a friend in the same field can be empathetic because they will understand what you’re experiencing from a first-hand level. 

Another relationship you’ll want to encourage is that with the instructor of your teaching assistant courses. Not every instructor is going to be a great fit for a long-term mentoring relationship, nor will all be interested (imagine if every student in an education assistant course wanted ongoing contact! The instructor would have little time for anything else!) but, if there is a connection with a certain instructor, you’ll want to ensure you stay in touch. 

Like having peers in the field, a mentor in the field is valuable in that they can help guide you through your career options and challenges and give input because of their experience and knowledge of your general career environment.

Establishing Connections with Students

Once you begin your career, the relationship with the students you help will become a source of joy and challenge. Depending upon the type of education environment you’ll be working in, you’ll be using everything you learned in your teaching assistant courses to understand and connect with students. These individuals may have learning disabilities, behavioural challenges and/or physical disabilities that are very broad reaching. 

Building a solid relationship foundation of trust with students can be difficult depending on how they communicate their needs. You’ll need to be observant, attentive and consistent in your care and support of students in order to establish the positive working relationship that will allow them to grow and thrive. 

Forming Relationships with Teachers

While the student is the core of where your attention will go on a day-to-day basis, underneath this will be a solid relationship built on understanding of roles, support and respect. After all, it is the job of an education assistant to assist the teachers they work with. This means that you’ll want clearly defined roles and responsibilities from the outset of your time working together. 

Some teachers prefer a fluid working relationship where the education assistant may have involvement with all the students whereas other teachers may want the education assistant to stay focused on the learning requirements of the assigned students. Establishing this up front and knowing who will do what will make for a stronger working relationship and an optimal experience in the classroom for everyone. 

Parents and Communication

When a student has special needs, disabilities or challenges that require the help of an education assistant, there must be an open line of communication with the students’ parents, family and caregivers. This will ensure that if the student had a particularly difficult morning, the education assistant will be informed and able to form a plan rather than react to a situation that may arise. Alternatively, when accomplishments are reached, the education assistant will want to share those successes so that they are celebrated both at home and in the classroom setting. 

If you’re thinking about becoming an education assistant and taking an education assistant course, make time to work on your relationship skills to create the best experience for everyone. 

Why You Should Take an Education Assistant Course Online

If education is your passion and you’d like to work with children with special needs and help them learn, a career of an education assistant might be the best fit for you. And you don’t have to postpone your career aspirations until after the pandemic is over. You can take an education assistant program online with Ashton College right away and start working towards your goals.   

What do education assistants do? 

The main role of education assistants is to create the best learning environment for children with special needs. They are the helpers who assist children with competing their assignments, moving around, maintaining their personal care, developing social skills and controlling their behaviour. Education assistants make sure that the education process is run smoothly and stress-free for children with various barriers to learning.  

Currently, Canadian school system is facing a growing demand for education assistants due to the introduction of inclusive model which made it possible for children with special needs to study in the same classrooms as other students. Education assistants facilitate the students’ learning and support them on every stage of the process.    

How to become an education assistant?  

To master a new profession, you can take education assistant course online and obtain profound knowledge of the most common disabilities and impairments and how they affect the learning process. You will learn to develop education and support strategies to help students overcome their challenges and focus on studying. You will also have an opportunity to practice the acquired skills in the classroom environment and understand how to apply theoretical knowledge in real-life scenarios.  

Taking an education assistant program online is not any easier than the traditional in-class format. It’s based on the same curriculum and is delivered by the same instructors in the interactive webinar mode. This type of training provides more flexibility and convenience to the students while maintaining the high quality of education and the guarantee of an effective result. During the COVID-19 outbreak it’s the perfect alternative to the in-class programs.     

What are the benefits of taking an education assistant program online? 

Saving time. The education assistant course online provides an opportunity to save a great amount of time in comparison to the in-class studies. You won’t have to commute to the college or visit the library. All resources you need are accessible online. 

Flexibility. The webinars are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm PST. This allows you to combine your evening studies with work or other commitments during the day. Since the online classes are only held twice a week, you also have more time for your homework or self-study.  

Convenience. When you study online, it doesn’t matter where you’re located. This is especially important for students who live in small or remote communities where commuting to college is not even an option.   

Less cost. The cost of the tuition and textbooks remains the same for the online education assistant program, however, you can still save a lot on transportation, food, rent and other collateral expenses when studying from home. 

Responsibility. When taking a course online, you’re only accountable to yourself. You should learn to develop your time-management skills. At the same time, there is less distraction and you can focus more on your studies with better results.  

Live classroom experience. Finally, you shouldn’t worry about your overall study experience when taking an education assistant course online. You will be able to work closely with the instructor and you will communicate with your fellow-students during the virtual classes.  

Being an education assistant is a challenging and a rewarding career. It will allow you to make a difference in children’s lives and help them overcome their difficulties, watch them grow and take steps to success. Enrol in Education Assistant Program Online today and get ready for your new exciting career with Ashton College! 

5 Ways to Become a Great Education Assistant

The market is full of fulfilling jobs that make people feel like they are really helping to change the world. This is especially true when individuals find the right position to fit their beliefs, skills and personality. Sometimes, these people may be in the right job, or even a volunteer position, but aren’t sure how to progress and turn it into an advancing career. They don’t know how to move ahead in that field even though they love doing it because they are helping others.

This can often be the case for education assistants. They love what they do, they just want to do it at a higher level, do it even better, or find a way to bring it into their life as a full time job. There are a few things to know about becoming a great education assistant and while you might guess a couple of these suggestions, there are likely one or two that will surprise you.

1.      Pursue an education assistant program online or in-person.

In today’s world, there are few occupations that don’t require or benefit from a formal education. Some people in the education assistant industry may tell you they didn’t need to take a course. That may have been years ago or there could have been special circumstances – likely something hard to repeat. What is consistent is that those who have a formal education as an education assistant are far more likely to get a job and continue to move ahead in their career.

This can initially feel disheartening. “How can I take a course when I’m working?” Fortunately, some schools offer their education assistant course online to provide flexibility and easy access without a sacrifice on the education you need to advance your career. Taking an education assistant program online from a qualified school gives you exposure to others interested in the field, instructors with first-hand experience and access to the information you need to make the best decisions for the future of your career. With the advances of education assistant courses online, you get all of this from the comfort of your own computer.

2.      Work on specific skills to benefit your work.

Every job has skills that make people better in their role. As an education assistant, the focus is on communication and instructing – which you may have guessed. However, two key areas you might not have considered are social perceptiveness and critical thinking. Social perceptiveness is the ability to identify why individuals respond or react the way they do, which is essential when dealing with special education students who may be unable to verbalize their needs. Critical thinking is the identification of strengths and weaknesses inherent in various solutions to a problem. This too is key in the role of an education assistant because of the need to consider various approaches and choose the best one for the situation being faced at the time.

Fortunately, for those who take an education assistant program online or in-person, these skills are part of the learning and there are a number of books, workshops and online tools to help advance these skills outside of an education assistant course online.

3.      Your personality matters.

Chances are, more than once, you’ve heard about someone who is acceptable at their job, but they “just aren’t really the right fit.” This is generally where personality comes into play. It is possible for someone to do an adequate job as an education assistant without the right personality traits, but they will never be as good in their role as someone who has those traits.

Fortunately, you can practice these traits and enhance them in yourself by being more aware of yourself, your responses and your approach to others. Some key personality elements to be an education assistant are: compassion, patience, flexibility, adaptability and a calm approach. If you work to improve these traits, not only will you be a better education assistant, but chances are, other areas of your life will improve as well.

There are many ways to build these personality traits and like the job skills noted above, there are resources online, workshops and books that outline ways to help enhance them.

4.      Belief in inclusion.

Generally, those who work as education assistants have a belief in the inclusivity of all people regardless of mobility, ability or other factors. This may not yet have been a conscious thought for you. If you’ve not considered why being an education assistant feels right and your beliefs about the students you help, take the time to explore your own feelings on the subject and consider your stance on inclusivity.

An individual working as an education assistant must firmly believe that everyone has the right to learn, to belong and to be part of an inclusive community. This means that whether a student has learning disabilities (auditory processing disorder, dyslexia, visual perceptual/visual motor deficit, etc.), communication disorders (those that affect speech and those that affect language), emotional and behavioural disorders (ADD, ADHD, etc.), developmental disabilities (autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc.) or physical disabilities (muscular dystrophy, spinal bifida, etc.), you will support the student’s right to education that helps them meet their goals.

5.      Serving as an advocate.

Unfortunately, many special needs students are unable to make their personal needs known in a way that most others understand. As an education assistant, it is your role to get to know the student, help interpret their wants, needs and desires and communicate to others to obtain the best possible result. This may mean interacting with other students, teachers, parents or family members as the voice for the student.

Sometimes special education assistants are a student’s greatest advocate to ensure things that deliver a richer life are offered.

If you want to be a great education assistant, consider some of the attributes you can work on to advance yourself in the field. It can be an incredibly rewarding job with a lot of advancement possible given that the field is growing constantly.

Career Prospects for Education Assistants

Becoming an education assistant is an excellent choice for anyone who likes working with children, wants to make a difference in their lives and also wishes to build a career in education. Taking an education assistant diploma program might be a good starting point for a successful career in this field and a foundation for further potential growth.

Scope of Work

The first step on the road to career success is receiving proper training. Taking an education assistant course will equip you with the necessary knowledge on how to support students with diverse learning challenges and special needs. You will understand how to identify the types of problems that hinder children’s development and study progress and will learn how to solve them.

The support that education assistants provide to students can include behaviour management, curriculum implementation, development of social skills, and assistance with mobility and personal care. They work together with teachers, parents and medical personnel to help meet a student’s physical, emotional and learning needs. 

While studying an education assistant program, you will learn how to design individual education plans for the students who require support. You will also find out how to communicate with them to make sure they understand what is needed and can to follow the instructions. Education in today’s world is evolving rapidly, and there are a lot of new tools and techniques available to facilitate the process of working with children with special needs. Taking an education assistant course will allow you to learn how to use them properly.  

Job Overview

The education industry nowadays is experiencing a shortage of qualified professionals to work in schools. The inclusive education model stimulates the demand for more and more education assistants who can provide the necessary support to children and teens with disabilities and special needs. For roles working with children with particular challenges, additional training may be required. For example, knowledge of sign language or applied behaviour analysis therapy.

The average salary for an education assistant is $24.47 per hour in British Columbia, which is 6% above the national average. If an assistant can offer unique skills, such as caring for younger kids, working with aboriginal children or knowledge of other languages, the starting threshold of their salary can be even higher than the average one.

Education assistants can work on a full-time or part-time basis. Sometimes they can be offered on-call positions. Most often, they can find employment opportunities with elementary and secondary schools. However, other organizations can hire education assistants as well, such as special schools, educational and treatment centres. Additionally, education assistants can work with children in private educational institutions, homeschooling environments, medical facilities, summer camps and other places.  

Opportunities to Grow

Since education assistants work at the entry level, they have plenty of opportunities for career growth. They will require training in addition to their education assistant diploma to occupy more demanding positions that ask for higher qualifications. Education assistants, for instance, can become early childhood educators, childcare attendants, preschool and school teachers, tutors, social workers and other professionals. It ultimately depends on the aspect of the work with children that you are most interested in.

The only way to find out what you are good at and what career opportunities you can strive for in the future is to take the education assistant course first and start working with children. Supporting students with special needs is a rewarding yet challenging career. Starting from this point is a smart move as you will learn whether you’d like to work in a school environment and how you’d prefer to grow before enrolling in expensive degree programs to further develop your career.