Education Assistant Certificate Program
We are currently accepting applications for the fall 2024 intake.
Requirements: Grade 12 Academic Diploma, Current Criminal & Child Abuse Registry Check, English Language proficiency. Potential students may be interviewed
Tuition: $4,225
Details: Part-time, September to June, evenings and weekends.
Topics Covered:
- Introduction to the Educational Assistant Program (30 hours)
- Child Development (30 hours)
- Understanding Exceptional Children (30 hours)
- Observation, Record Keeping and Report Writing (30 hours)
- Learning Styles and Instruction (30 hours)
- Life Skills and Social Development (30 hours)
- Understanding Language Development (30 hours)
- Learning Disabilities (30 hours)
- Understanding Behavior (30 hours)
- Dealing Effectively with Student Behavior (30 hours)
- Math and English Content Review (18 hours)
- Standard First Aid (14 hours)
- Non-Violent Crises Intervention (11 hours)
- Introduction to MS Office (18 hours)
- Lifts and Transfers (4 hours)
- Practicum (120 hours)
Total hours for all components of the program: 485 hours
Textbook: Para Pro, Supporting the Instructional Process, by Randy Sprick, Mickey Garrison, Lisa Howard
*Pass mark of 75% must be attained on all tests, quizzes and final exam*
Tuition includes the text and supporting materials, Standard First Aid, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention and Introduction to MS-Office/iMAC.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Acquire the knowledge and skills to work as a team member in a school setting. The student will also develop skills to prepare and organize materials to support teaching and learning, use effective strategies for the management of behaviours, and make and document observations appropriate to the individual with learning needs. The student will also gain awareness as to what constitutes a learning disability and become aware of the learning styles of individuals.
Introduction to the Educational Assistant Program (30 hours)
Learn the role and responsibilities of the Educational Assistant in the classroom, as part of the educational team, and within the school system as a whole. Includes the concept of inclusion as well as ethics and professionalism.
Child Development (30 hours)
An overview of human development, especially during school years. Includes physical, cognitive and behavioural development. Understand the factors influencing student behaviour at different ages. Includes an exploration of cultural values and traditions and how these influence a child's sense of belonging.
Understanding Exceptional Children (30 hours)
Learn about various disabilities and their effects on the body, health, behaviour and learning. Specific disabilities – their causes, characteristics and effects on the individual's life and family - will be covered.
Observation, Record Keeping and Report Writing (30 hours)
Learn the EA's role in observation and record keeping, and develop practical methods and formats for documentation. Includes an understanding of assessment, diagnosis and evaluation policy. Develop communication skills to form positive collaborative relationships with teachers, parents and community members.
Learning Styles and Instruction (30 hours)
Discover how learning styles, environments and groupings can assist the learning process, especially for those who need extra assistance. Includes various management and intervention strategies that can be utilized to improve learning. Learn practical techniques to deal with a variety of behavioural problems, including group and individual situations. Supervision skills will also be covered.
Life Skills and Social Development (30 hours)
Learn how to help students grow and develop their personal skills. Help students to meet challenges and prepare for life changes. Includes social skills and promotion of self esteem. Promoting levels of independence will also be covered.
Understanding Language Development (30 hours)
Learn the stages in language acquisition and development and factors that affect this. Includes speech and language disorders and techniques to improve language development in the classroom.
Learning Disabilities (30 hours)
Provides in-depth, practical knowledge about more severe learning disabilities and effective ways to work with affected students. Includes techniques to aid student learning and manage specific behaviours.
Understanding Behaviour (30 hours)
Discover the underlying reasons for specific behaviours, including social, sensory and emotional issues. Learn the ABC's of behaviour, and the role of styles and triggers. Includes consequences, restitution training and finding more appropriate ways to meet needs.
Dealing Effectively With Student Behaviour (30 hours)
Learn practical techniques to deal with a variety of behavioural problems, including group and individual situations.
Math and English Content Review (18 hours)
This is a review of the Math and English curriculum utilized by educational assistants when supporting student learning. Developing knowledge of current Math and English processes and positive attitudes towards these subjects will enable educational assistants to support students and teachers more effectively.
Practicum (120 hours)
The practicum provides students with the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge and skills in the practice environment.
The following courses are also included in the program. Exemptions may be granted for those who already have current certificates in these courses. This is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (11 hours)
This course teaches the skills to work effectively with potentially anxious, agitated, aggressive and even assaultive people. Non-Violent Crisis Intervention is a program designed to help develop and improve communication skills to de-escalate potentially dangerous situations and an integral part of an overall plan to develop safe and caring environments.
Standard First Aid (14 hours)
The first day includes CPR and emergency techniques such as rescue breathing and choking maneuvers. It also covers allergies, diabetes, injuries and shock plus signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke. The second day includes soft tissue injuries, severe bleeding, impaled objects, internal bleeding and burns. It also covers muscular skeletal injuries (fractures & dislocations), chest and abdominal injuries, seizures, allergic reaction and how to administer the EpiPen.
Lifts and Transfers (4 hours)
Learn safe ways to lift and transfer people to and from wheelchairs, and about the use of the Hoyer Lift.
Introduction to MS Office, PC and MAC environment (20 hours)
Learn introductory hands-on skills in Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Word skills include tools, tables, tabs and mail merge. Excel skills include tips for entering data, formulas, functions and charts. PowerPoint skills include creating presentations with pictures and animation.