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.