Working in the academe has its fair share of challenges. Like any occupation, Education Assistants (EAs) have complex scenarios and rewarding moments on the job. Their key priority is to support a teacher in handling a class to enrich their learning experience and lessen a teacher’s workload. It’s a versatile position that can appear demanding if you’re unaware of what you should do to be a capable applicant.
Applying for an Education Assistant (EA) Position
Schools looking for EAs can look for a diverse set of prerequisites and requirements for potential applicants. Sometimes, one university will demand much more than another since an education assistant’s role can be open-ended. However, there are universal qualities that employers will look for in potential candidates.
If you are planning to apply as an EA, here are five qualities your employer will look out for:
1) Effective Communication Skills
Working in the academe means that you’ll always have to follow a schedule, from lecture time slots to school events. Besides your regular duties for class, the entire school year is bound to have plenty of events for you to take part in. If you can show that you’re great at handling a full calendar’s worth of activities, you will appear as a more viable candidate for employers.
2) Increased Patience Working with Students
There will be plenty of moments where you must be patient when working with your students. However, what most people don’t tell you is that you must be patient with your co-workers as well. Working with educators who have different work ethics than yours can be an aggravating experience, even more so than handling rowdy children. It’s your responsibility to be a team player to ensure that you can do your work well without compromising the quality of education that your students will receive.
3) Organized Management Skills
Strong organizational skills are a must for any position in the academe. Having any delays with your output and responsibilities can have severe consequences for a lesson plan or the assigned syllabus. Presenting a portfolio of your experience in management positions can give you an edge over other potential applicants for an EA role.
4) Flexibility in Different Roles
Flexibility in performing different roles is an important quality to have as an EA. EAs handle a diverse set of responsibilities, depending on the department. For example, you may have to go through more research-linked duties if you’re working under a literature or history professor. Alternatively, you could end up brushing up on your arithmetic and handle checking for mathematics and physics lecturers. Besides being under the guidance of different teachers, you will also get the chance to meet a diverse set of students.
5) Compassion and Empathy for Others’ Success
The most important quality an education assistant needs to have is to have compassion for others. A teaching position is inherently about curating and developing another person’s future. Your job as an EA puts you in the rare opportunity to mentor students that your assigned teacher can’t. Some students may have difficulty believing in their capabilities. In these cases, you must be an empowering figure who can give them a gentle push to discover their strengths.
Conclusion
Being an education assistant is an excellent addition to your portfolio, especially if you’re looking for a career in the academe. Even if you’re branching out to other sectors, the experience you’ll gain will help you apply for leadership positions in any industry!
If you’re looking for an education career in Calgary, you can apply for an Education Assistant professional certificate with us at Columbia College! We provide individuals with the right resources to put them on the right track for the right job opportunities. Contact us today to see how you should begin your future with us!
FAQs
What are the most important Special Education Assistant job skills to have on my resume? The most common important skills required by employers are First Aid Certified, Compliance, Communication Skills, Behavior Analysis, English Speaking, CPR and Facilitation.
What qualities make you a good teaching assistant? ›
Qualities of a good Teaching Assistant
- Above and beyond. ...
- Flexible and adaptable. ...
- Forward thinking. ...
- Ability to communicate effectively. ...
- Explore CPD opportunities. ...
- Strong literacy and numeracy skills. ...
- Friendly and approachable. ...
- Show your passion.
What are the most important Special Education Assistant job skills to have on my resume? The most common important skills required by employers are First Aid Certified, Compliance, Communication Skills, Behavior Analysis, English Speaking, CPR and Facilitation.
What are the strengths of an LSA? ›
To be a good fit for a Learning Support Assistant (LSA) role, you will need to be positive, calm, motivational, flexible, creative, and innovative. You must be able to demonstrate that you are trustworthy and ethical, that you have a supportive nature, as well as being assertive, confident, and resourceful.
How much does an educational assistant make in Calgary? ›
The average salary for a Educational assistant is $44,284 in Calgary, AB.
How do I stand out as a teaching assistant interview? ›
Before the interview, identify your attributes and strengths, and align these with what the school is looking for. Think about the qualities that a teaching assistant should possess; patience, empathy, approachability and a caring nature are all attributes that you should be looking to showcase within your answer.
Why do you think you make a good teaching assistant? ›
“As well as being hardworking, approachable and good with children, I have a number of qualities which I could bring to the Teaching Assistant role. I am an extremely patient person and I am willing to spend as much time working on one subject, word or calculation as a child needs.
What are three of the most critical characteristics of a special educator? ›
Five Traits of a Great Special Education Teacher
- Interpersonal Skills. It's important that special education teachers are friendly and personable. ...
- Critical Thinking Skills. ...
- Resourcefulness. ...
- Communication Skills. ...
- Patience.
Example: "Communication and empathy are two skills that benefit me as a special education aide. Speaking with students, coworkers and parents effectively is a great way to ensure students receive the best possible education.
What are success skills in education? ›
It takes practice and dedication to learn strategies to help you become academically successful. Some examples of success skills are time management, organization, critical thinking, communication, reading comprehension, research & writing skills, and digital fluency.
Talk about your future ambitions, why you want to be a TA/LSA etc. Try not to let it overshadow the fact that you want to be an LSA/TA. Don't make the answer all about how it will benefit you personally, but also about how you can add value to the children/class you work with.
What is the job description of a LSA? ›
Main Purpose of the role:
LSA's provide support for students with their social, emotional, behavioural and mental health needs by working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, throughout the school under the management of Line Management or Teacher as relevant.
What does LSA stand for in education? ›
LSA stands for Learning Support Assistant. Learning support assistants usually work with students who have special needs, or don't speak English to help them cope with the classroom environment. This is usually on a one to one basis and is meant to help the student and take some extra responsibility off the teacher.
How much does an EA make in Calgary? ›
The average salary for Executive Assistant is $69,306 per year in the Calgary, AB. The average additional cash compensation for a Executive Assistant in the Calgary, AB is $5,103, with a range from $2,366 - $11,005.
Are educational assistants in demand in Alberta? ›
Alberta has a growing demand for education assistants due to the increasing recognition of the importance of inclusive education. Schools require professionals who can support students with diverse abilities, making it a stable career choice.
How much do assistants make in Calgary? ›
The average salary for Administrative Assistant is $50,378 per year in the Calgary, AB. The average additional cash compensation for a Administrative Assistant in the Calgary, AB is $2,646, with a range from $1,119 - $6,255.
What makes an excellent TA? ›
Understanding individual needs
Teaching assistants often find themselves supporting children with complex needs, who will all engage differently with different learning techniques. Being able to recognise this and be flexible in your approach is essential to becoming a good TA.
What are your weaknesses as a Teaching Assistant? ›
So as a recap, the four answers that you can give when being asked, what are your greatest weaknesses, are, I focus too much on the details, I've got a hard time saying no sometimes, I've had trouble asking for help in the past, and I have a hard time letting go of a project.
