Make a difference in the classroom as with CNC’s one year educational assistant program

Like so many other districts across British Columbia, School District No. 91 has had a shortage of education assistants – or EAs – during the 2020-21 school year. Halfway through March 2021, the Nechako Lakes district had hired 39 EAs and still required 11 more.

Choosing to work as an EA fills a tremendous need in elementary and secondary schools. EAs provide direct support to students who have diverse needs, and Mark Gauthier expects the demand for their services to continue to grow.

“I think we’re going to see that,” says Gauthier, an SD91 Director of Instruction who has devoted 30 years of his professional life to the district as a teacher, counselor and administrator.

“Having EAs in the classroom is one of the ways that we support learners – offering more one-on-one support, small-group support,” adds Gauthier, who is based in Vanderhoof. “Students are entitled to be in school. They should be in school full time, they should be getting a full program, they should be included in classrooms.”

The College of New Caledonia offers an Education Assistant Certificate program (nine courses, an elective and a practicum equalling 34 credits). The program is designed to enhance understanding in areas such as inclusion, human diversity, positive support strategies, health and wellness, communication, ethical behaviour, person-centered planning, literacy, community relationships, and professional practice.

“I think you just have a better understanding of some of the educational pieces for kids – how kids learn, how kids develop, and some current practices that are happening in schools,” Gauthier says. “Some of the programs have practicums so you get an opportunity to get into a classroom and experience some of the things that are happening. Becoming certified, it just gives you a leg up.”

In general, the starting wage for a certified EA is also higher. In SD91, Gauthier says a certified EA starts at $24 per hour, versus $22 per hour for someone who is uncertified.

For anyone interested in becoming an EA, Gauthier would “absolutely” recommend taking a certificate program like the one at CNC.

“Your classwork and what you get from the program just offers you so much more knowledge and prepares you for the job better,” he says. “Getting certification definitely makes you employable, and anywhere in the province.”

Gauthier says the qualities of top-notch EAs include good communication skills, as well as the abilities to multi-task and adapt on the fly.

“I think they also know how kids learn,” he says. “Often they work with students who have diverse needs, and these students come with something called an Individual Education Plan. Good EAs know the plan, they know what the students are doing. They know how these kids learn so they support the student that way. They’re very intuitive.”

Next start date: Fall 2021

Fees: $345 to $355 per course

Locations: Burns Lake, Fort St. James, Mackenzie, Prince George, Quesnel, and Vanderhoof