Classroom Education Assistant

  • Program Title: Classroom Education Assistant
    Credential: Diploma
    Delivery: Classroom
    Program Length: 52 weeks (300-hour inclusive placement)
    Program Intake: This program accepts new registrations every Monday.
    Training Location: All theory and practical learning labs are held at the college premises. Supervised Field Placements are held at agreed upon practicum locations where the college has an agreement in place with the designated site.

    Your Career
    Graduates of the Education Assistant diploma program are prepared to assist individuals who have physical, cognitive, and psychiatric disabilities. As education assistants, they work in schools and, under the supervision of the teacher, provide classroom support. They can also pursue careers in community support agencies. With an Educational Assistant diploma, graduates can also continue into university degree programs in social work, child and youth care, or education. Some graduates have started their own community support businesses and hold contracts with a variety of government and non-government agencies. Graduates can also continue onto a generic Human Services diploma and onto university degree programs in social work, child and youth care, or education.

  • Admission Requirements

    College Eligibility

    Grade 12 or OSSD equivalent OR;
    Mature Student with Wonderlic SLE min. score 60 on test
    Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) with required software

    Prior to Practicum
    Medical form from a Canadian licenced physician stating fitness to complete the practicum and absence of communicable diseases
    Negative Police Check, including vulnerable sector
    Call the Admissions Office at 1 (800) 267-2577 for more details. Academic prerequisites for this program may be obtained free of charge through Academic Upgrading.

  • Courses include (Total of 18 courses and 2 field placements)

    • Foundations of Education
    • Health & Safety in Educational Settings
    • Cultural Diversity in Educational Settings
    • Introduction to Educational Psychology
    • Sociology of Education in Canada
    • Principles of Child Development
    • Mental and Health Exceptionalities
    • Physical and Multiple Exceptionalities
    • Autism Spectrum Disorder
    • Communication with Exceptionalities
    • Classroom Education Assistant Self-Care and Professional Development
    • Assistive Technology in Educational Settings
    • Behavioural Management Techniques
    • Classroom Management Strategies for Inclusive Classrooms
    • The Individual Education Plan (IEP)
    • Development Across the Lifespan
    • Working with Families
    • Native Education Studies in Canada
    • Practicum Preparation and Placement 1 – Elementary/Community Education Setting
    • Practicum Preparation and Placement 2 – Secondary/Community Education Setting
    • Every attempt is made to ensure the accuracy of information provided on our website.

    The College reserves the right to modify any course, program, curriculum, fee, timetable, or campus location at any time.

    Learning Outcomes

    1. Discuss the ongoing professional development activities for educational support in compliance with relevant education related legislation supporting learners with exceptionalities in the inclusive classroom
    2. Describe relevant education legislation, health and safety guidelines to promote positive school climates
    3. Discuss cultural diversity strategies to promote positive school climates
    4. Discuss the educational implications and applications of research on child development, cognitive science, learning, motivation, teaching, and assessment
    5. List the cultural factors shaping education to foster empathetic, positive and pro-social behaviour in school climates
    6. Discuss development theory and research to promote the development of independence of learners with exceptionalities
    7. Discuss theory, research and practice to promote the development of independence and pro-social behaviour of learners with mental and health exceptionalities
    8. Discuss theory, research and practice to promote the independence and pro-socialbehaviour of learners with physical and multiple exceptionalities
    9. Discuss theory, research and practice to promote the independence and pro-social behaviour of learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
    10. Outline communication strategies specific to exceptionalities to enable educational support programs of instruction in the inclusive classroom when working with exceptional students and other members of the classroom team
    11. Discuss the importance of self-care and professional development strategies while working as a member of the classroom team
    12. Describe the types of assistive technology used in the classroom to promote ongoing development of independence when working with members of the classroom team to support learners with exceptionalities
    13. Discuss essential behavioural management techniques used when working with students with exceptionalities to promote empathetic, positive and pro-social behaviour in the classroom and promote ongoing development of independence
    14. Outline the educational support programs of instruction that are delivered to children with exceptionalities while promoting and supporting positive school climates in the inclusive classroom
    15. List the steps that are required to collaborate on the development and revision of the individual education plan for students with exceptionalities while working with members of the classroom team and student’s families
    16. Outline the process of assisting students with exceptionalities to promote the development of independence across their lifespan while working with members of the classroom teams and student’s families
    17. Describe the unique strategies and skills required to collaborate and work with diverse family members for children with exceptionalities and lead by example to promote empathetic, positive and pro-social behaviour in the inclusive classroom
    18. Outline the methods of providing cultural support that enhances and improve outcomes of indigenous children in educational settings while creating a safe and caring environment

  • Course Descriptions

    Foundations of Education
    In this subject, students will learn the foundations and history of the Canadian educational system as well as practical advice and tools to build a solid and sustainable career as a classroom education assistant. Students will explore the Education Act of Ontario and become familiar with the highlights of Regulation 198/98 and the ongoing requirements in professional development activities to remain current in the profession.

    Health and Safety in Educational Settings
    In this subject, students will learn the legislation, standards, regulations as well as policies in health and safety educational settings that are required to meet regulatory compliance areas. Students will also learn how to apply this learning to create a safe and caring school environment.

    Cultural Diversity in Educational Settings
    In this subject, students will learn about diversity fundamentals required to interact and educate students with exceptionalities in the classroom. Students will also learn various theories of diversity and how the various elements of diversity intersect with teaching and learning along with the tools that empower all students through the content taught and through pedagogical practices.

    Introduction to Educational Psychology
    In this subject, students will learn information and ideas that are drawn from research in educational psychology and how this learning can be applied to solve the everyday problems of teaching. Students will also learn the educational implications and applications of research on child development, cognitive science, learning, motivation, teaching, and assessment.

    Sociology of Education in Canada
    In this subject, students will learn how education in Canada is affected by pre-existing and persistent inequalities among members of society. Students will also learn the historical and cultural factors that have shaped the current education system, examine the larger social trends that have contributed to present problems, discuss the various interest groups involved, and analyze the larger social discourses that influence any discussion of these issues.

    Principles of Child Development
    In this subject, students will learn the principles of child development. Students will focus on application and research with a focus on application to student’s personal lives and future education and roles as a classroom education assistant.

    Mental and Health Exceptionalities
    In this subject, students will learn exceptional learners and classroom practices, as well as the psychological, sociological, and medical aspects of disabilities and giftedness. Students will also learn how to develop healthy attitudes toward their work and gain a solid understanding of current theory, research, and practice in special education, and to develop an ever more sensitive understanding of exceptional learners and their families.

    Physical and Multiple Exceptionalities
    In this subject, students will learn about physical disabilities whose physical limitations or health problems interfere with school attendance or learning to such an extent that special services, training, equipment, materials, or facilities are required. Students will learn there are many types of individuals with physical disabilities with a total range of impairment, with varied behavioural and psychological characteristics and the various methods of dealing with these exceptionalities in the classroom.

    Autism Spectrum Disorder
    In this subject, students will learn about Autism Spectrum Disorders evidence-based practices and approaches. Students will also learn the current trends in research and practice including special research, diversity, and issues that will help clarify the concepts and application of the learning.

    Communication with Exceptionalities
    In this subject, students will learn the characteristics, needs, and strengths of students with communication exceptionalities, including students with speech and language disorders. Students will also learn specific characteristics and classroom communication strategies and how to make appropriate adjustments to student’s unique verbal and non-verbal communication styles.

    Classroom Education Assistant Self-Care and Professional Development
    In this subject, students will learn the tools they need to create their own personal balance between caring for themselves and caring for others. Students will also learn the tools of resiliency and self-care action plans to assist them within their work along with ongoing opportunities for professional development to remain current in their field of work.

    Assistive Technology in Educational Settings
    In this subject, students will focus on learning about Assistive Technology in the classroom and the integration of Assistive Technology into the curriculum. Students will also discuss the challenges when embracing Assistive Technology to teach new skills to students with disabilities that increase their independence and productivity, while providing them with access to the general education curriculum in the inclusive classroom environment.

    Behavioural Management Techniques
    In this subject, students will learn to identify the preconditions and techniques for improving and enhancing student motivation for different types of behaviours within the inclusive classroom setting. Students will also learn the essentials of creating and supporting for caring and safe schools in Ontario.

    Classroom Management Strategies for Inclusive Classrooms
    In this subject, students will learn the fundamentals of inclusive teaching, the most effective general teaching practices, and ways to differentiate instruction for specific content areas. Targeted teaching strategies show ways to improve all students’ memory, attention, motivation, study skills, and peer interaction. Students will also learn validated strategies and learn to demonstrate why particular techniques are best practice and most effective.

    The Individual Education Plan (IEP)
    In this subject, students will learn the specialized requirements when working with students with special needs to develop, implement, and monitor high-quality Individual Education Plan (IEP). Students will also learn the recommended five step process that is used to meet the requirements and standards with a focus on customizing the Individual Education Plan (IEP) to the unique need of each individual student.

    Working with Families
    In this subject, students will focus on the families of special needs children to understand the challenges and needs of these families as well as the skills and strategies required of educators working with such families. Students will also learn the common legal and ethical concerns surrounding children with special needs and their families and the unique approaches required due to the diversity in families with special needs children, cultural considerations, age, and communication styles.

    Native Education Studies in Canada
    In this subject, students will be introduced to Native Education Studies in Canada along with the history and evolution of Aboriginal–Non-Aboriginal relations over time. Students will also learn about Aboriginal rights within the context of the Canadian Constitution and Canadian society and explore the Aboriginal Guide to the Teacher’s Toolkit from Education Canada to learn effective strategies for customizing learning in the native environment.

    Practicum Preparation and Placement 1 – Elementary/Community Education Setting
    The practicum component of the Classroom Education Assistant program involves the student in two placement opportunities; one in the elementary/community setting and the other one in the secondary/community setting. In this practicum students will focus in the elementary/community classroom setting with the opportunity to observe and work with the classroom educators and student families for children with exceptionalities.

    Practicum Preparation and Placement 2 – Secondary/Community Education Setting
    The practicum component of the Classroom Education Assistant program involves the student in two placement opportunities; one in the elementary/community setting and the other one in the secondary/community setting. In this practicum students will focus in the secondary/community classroom setting with the opportunity to observe and work with the classroom educators and student families for children with exceptionalities.

  • Fees & Expenses
    Program & Other Compulsory Fees:

    Tuition Fees: $9,898.00
    Registration: $100.00
    Books: $1,980.00
    Total Fees: $ 11,978.00

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