Engaging ideas, transforming minds
Engaging ideas, transforming minds

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Canadian Scholars
306 pages
6 x 9 inches
August 2019
Print ISBN: 9781773381121

Overview

The Role of an Education Assistant offers guidance and insight to students who are learning about the growing and complex role of education assistants. This includes how to support academic, social, inclusive, and independent learning environments in schools and collaborate with parents and teachers in the planning and evaluation of student progress. Divided into four sections, this text addresses education assistant professional standards, mental health and wellness, culture and diversity, and the challenge of supporting all students in the classroom. Professionals and scholars contribute to research, anecdotes, practical insights from the field, and discussion questions to encourage student reflection and professional preparation. Offering practical guidance for inter-professional collaboration and inclusive education, this seminal text will prepare students in education studies, education assistant programs, and early childhood education for rewarding careers in the industry.

FEATURES

  • begins with an introduction from editors who have decades of combined professional experience in child and youth social work, as educators in inclusive environments, and as university and college instructors
  • provides a Canada-wide perspective from both accomplished scholars and experienced professionals
  • covers the large scope of student learning stages, from early years, through adolescence, to adulthood
  • highlights the changing and broadening expectations of education assistants and offers relevant guidance on how to meet diverse needs in modern classrooms

Table of Contents

Foreword
Catriona Johnson

Preface

Section I: The Education Assistant


Role of an Education Assistant

Chapter 1: From the Margins to the Centre: Education Assistants as Inclusion Facilitators
Cornelia Schneider

Chapter 2: Education Assistants as Advocates
Alison Taplay and Joanie Chestnut

The Education Assistant as a Professional

Chapter 3: What Makes an Outstanding Education Assistant? Best Practices in the Field
Victoria Johnston-Hatch

Chapter 4: The Education Assistant–Teacher Partnership in the Classroom: Maximizing Returns
Nan Stevens and Susan McKay


Section II: Mental Health and Wellness


Behaviour

Chapter 5: Understanding and Honouring Communicative Intent: Shifting from Judgment to Curiosity with Kindness and Intention
Jane Green, Michelle Pozin, and Lisa Gates

Chapter 6: Trauma Sensitivity in the Classroom: Developing Trusting Relationships
Mary Harber and Asha Rao

Social Emotional Learning

Chapter 7: Social and Emotional Learning and the Work of Education Assistants
Nancy Norman, Janine Fajenski, and Jessica Mantel

Chapter 8: The Role of the Education Assistant in Developing Play, Recreation, and Social Skills
Joan Astren

Chapter 9: Finding Connection: Developing Social Competence
Mary Harber


Section III: Cultural Diversity


Indigenous

Chapter 10: Cultural Safety: A Foundation for Working with Indigenous Students
Joanne Mitchell

Intercultural

Chapter 11: Response-able Pedagogy: Fostering a Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Educational Environment
Greg Ogilvie

Chapter 12: The Role of Education Assistants in Helping “Young Ambassadors” Form Self-Determined Identities
Jeffrey MacCormack and Lindsay Morcom


Section IV: Supporting All Students


Classroom Inclusion

Chapter 13: Education Assistants as Inclusive Leaders in Classrooms
Linda Hill

Academics

Chapter 14: Supporting Academics
Heather Wik and Barbara Eckersley

Chapter 15: Collaborative Strategies and Resources for the Classroom
Kyla Cleator

Chapter 16:Transition: The Journey to Adulthood
Asha Rao and Jane Litman


Contributors Biographies

Reviews

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