Education Assistant Jobs: Everything You Need To Know To Kickstart Your Career
Answering The Must-Know Questions About Education Assistant Jobs And Education Assitant Courses So You Can Kickstart Your Career.
– 4 Minute Read –
In this article, we cover the three most frequently asked questions that everyone should know when considering a career in the education industry as an education assistant, including:
What does an education assistant do?
What qualifications do you need to be an Education Assistant?
What is the salary of an Educational Assistant?
Is Education Assistant a good job?
Let’s get started!
What does an Education Assistant do?
If you’re still a little hazy about what an Education Assistant does, here’s a general overview that will clear things up.
An Education Assistant works alongside teachers in a classroom setting, performing instructional tasks with students and working with parents and other faculty to create a more effective place to learn.
Most Education Assistants work in schools ranging from kindergarten to grade 12, but can also be employed by preschools and other private childcare facilities.
More specifically, here are some of the many education assistant jobs you could be expected to perform on a regular basis:
Supporting students with exceptionalities by working with them either individually or as part of a small group
Adapting to curriculum to facilitate growth and development
Running specialized student support programs
Monitoring students, both in and outside of the classroom, during school hours
In cases where Education Assistants are working with students who have physical disabilities, you may also be tasked with providing physical assistance. These tasks can include supporting students’ mobility, toileting, grooming, and feeding.
It’s worth noting that some Education Assistant roles can be more specialized, focusing on only one of the above tasks. Sign-language interpreter, autism support worker, and special education assistant are some examples of specialized roles that an Education Assistant can fill.
What qualifications do you need to be an Education Assistant?
Education assistant jobs will require certification or a diploma from an accredited and recognized college or university.
Additional specialized training may also be necessary if you pursue a specific support role, such as those mentioned above.
You can receive an Education Assistant Diploma from Sprott Shaw College after completing our Education Assistant Program.
Sprott Shaw’s program is 43-weeks long, includes 180 hours of practicum, and focuses on these primary learning outcomes:
Being able to support and promote inclusionary practices for all students
Utilizing technology to support student success
Applying practical knowledge to adapt Individual Education Plans into effective learning experiences
Building collaborative and communication skills to help support students, teachers, and parents
In Canada, the average Education Assistant salary is about $45,000 annually or around $24-27 per hour.[source]
However, Education Assistant salary can vary drastically depending on several factors, including location, institution, and specialization. Here are some average Education Assistant salaries from across Canada:[source]
Vancouver, British Columbia – $52,000
Toronto, Ontario – $45,760
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – $43,680
Montreal, Quebec – $41,600
Halifax, Nova Scotia – $33,280
Is Education Assistant a good job?
Education Assistant jobs are extremely rewarding. You will spend your day helping students overcome significant barriers, however, the work is not without challenges.
You won’t face these challenges alone, and working through them as a team makes the job that much more gratifying.
The inherent challenges of the role come hand-in-hand with working with children with exceptionalities. Patience and empathy are required to build a trusting relationship with students, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to accomplishing this goal.
Few other job opportunities offer the kind of interpersonal and professional fulfillment that working with children, and their families, in their formative years can provide.
As part of the public education sector, Education Assistants can find employment in large urban centres and rural communities alike, allowing for flexibility in where you can live and work.
Due to high demand, the majority of graduates from Sprott Shaw’s Education Assistant Program are hired immediately through the workplace practicum. (Sprott Shaw also provides lifelong Employment Services for all graduates so that you won’t ever be job hunting alone.)
Becoming an Education Assistant also opens the doors to many other opportunities in the education sector, should you want to advance your career further.
Becoming a teacher, special education teacher, principal, or instructional coordinator can be typical next steps for many who start their careers as Education Assistants.
If you’re looking to learn more about becoming an Education Assistant, career outlooks, job opportunities, and certifications, check out the links below:
