With a downturn in the economy and a rough job market, many are wondering what fields are actually hiring. Thankfully, there exists a fulfilling career path that’s in high demand across the province. There’s no better time to become an Education Assistant!
Education Assistants (EAs) do much more than their name implies; the support they provide makes a meaningful and lasting impact. They play an essential role in kindergarten to grade 12 classrooms, supporting children with unique physical, learning, or emotional needs. The work they do with children may include behaviour management, curriculum implementation, social skills development, personal care, and physical/medical assistance.
Keep reading to learn more about what Education Assistants do and if this career path is the right fit for you!
Reasons to Become an Education Assistant
Is an Education Assistant Career Right for You?
Sprott Shaw College’s Education Assistant Program
Want to learn more about our Education Assistant program? Our advisors are available to answer your questions!
Why Become an Education Assistant?
There are many reasons to become an Education Assistant; between good hourly pay rates, consistent hours, and making a positive impact, the list goes on! However, there are two main reasons to become an education assistant: the high employment rates and the fulfilling nature of the field.
There is a large shortage of EAs across the province, with many school districts reporting deficits of 150 or higher. Due to the shortages, there are many Education Assistant jobs available, and the hiring rates are very high; most of Sprott Shaw College’s Education Assistant program graduates get hired straight out of school! Better yet, many of our EA students secure employment at the conclusion of their practicum placement before they even graduate.
If you’re looking for a career with purpose, look no further. Education Assistants provide crucial support to youth who need it most. When you become an Education Assistant, you take on the responsibility of fostering children’s learning and growth, and you become the person they rely on while they’re at school. At the end of the school year, you can look back on where your students started and admire all the progress you made together.
Education Assistant Salary
An Education Assistant salary varies across school districts, but hourly wages are quite high. In BC, the average Education Assistant salary is just over $58,000, or $28 an hour. However, many EAs in the Lower Mainland make hourly wages in the low to mid-thirties.
Not only is an Education Assistant salary desirable, but EAs also receive great benefits, and work during school hours (typically 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM or 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM), making it a suitable career for parents of school-aged children.
Education Assistants are also qualified to work as Early Childhood Education Assistants in daycare and early learning environments.
Is an Education Assistant Career Right for You?
An Education Assistant must be, above all else, kind and empathetic. This career revolves around children with disabilities and behavioural challenges, so it’s important to maintain patience and lead with empathy. An EA operates with the understanding that all children deserve to be treated kindly and have their needs met and their challenges accommodated.
Although Education Assistants need to know how to be soft, they must also know how to be firm. It is an EA’s responsibility to teach and guide their students, which doesn’t happen without bumps in the road. When students show resistance to following expectations, it is an EA’s responsibility to get them back on track. After all, growth doesn’t happen without challenges!
In addition to personality requirements, there are also some physical requirements that Education Assistants should meet. Some students may require physical assistance, and Education Assistants should have the physical capacity to assist in lifting students and the ability to run after children to prevent them from leaving school property.
We Provide Career-Ready Education
Sprott Shaw’s Education Assistant program is modern and up-to-date, offering a relevant curriculum that reflects the needs of school districts across the province. Our Education Assistant program is the only one in BC that includes a certificate in Mental Health First Aid, which trains people on how to support individuals experiencing mental health struggles effectively and confidently. Our program is also unique in that it includes POPARD (Provincial Outreach Program for Autism and Related Disorders) training in the curriculum. This training, which focuses on increasing capacity to support students with autism, is required by the Surrey School District.
Our qualified and experienced Education Assistant program instructors (most of whom have 15 years or more of experience) impart knowledge to our students through theory and practice—both of which are essential when working with children and youth with diverse and unique needs. Our EA program engages students with hands-on projects that they can utilize in their careers. For example, students learn how to make and use visual schedules and communication books, which are crucial communication tools that utilize imagery. Visual schedules remind and inform children of their daily routine, and they’re especially useful tools for children with autism and ADHD, as visual schedules can lower anxiety and increase focus. Another useful tool our students learn how to create is communication books that contain pictures or symbols (sometimes accompanied by words) categorized by topic or theme. These books allow children who are nonverbal or have limited speaking ability to communicate by pointing at the images.
Launch Your Education Assistant Career with Sprott Shaw College
With great wages, fulfilling responsibilities, and a job market in your favour, there’s no better time to become an Education Assistant!
Have questions about enrollment or the Education Assistant program? Our advisors are here to help answer your questions and guide you through the enrollment process.