Education Assistant Certificate

Under the supervision of teachers, education assistants perform a variety of para-professional duties in schools. Often they work closely with pupils struggling to overcome physical, learning, or emotional difficulties. Typical duties include coaching students in problem subjects, preparing specialized teaching materials, and maintaining progress records.

You could qualify for this unique kind of employment by completing the Education Assistant certificate program offered through Okanagan College.

You'll learn how schools are organized and administered and how education assistants fit into the mix of professionals, students, and parents. Among other theoretical and philosophical issues, you'll examine such controversial topics as child discipline and public school legislation. Two courses focus exclusively on psychological and educational approaches relevant to exceptional children. Other courses cover the modification of curriculum and the use of computers.

Two workshops will train you in the skills and techniques necessary to work with children with exceptionalities and meet their recreational, leisure, and creative needs. The program concludes with a 120-hour practicum.