education assistant jobs victoria bc

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Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants

Career overview, education, training and skills, labour market statistics, industry highlights.

Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants – often known as education assistants or EAs – support students by providing help to teachers and counsellors. They help with teaching and with other tasks, such as personal care and behaviour.

Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants:

• Work under the supervision of teachers or other child-care professionals
• Work with individual students and small groups
• Reinforce students’ learning using lessons and methods developed with the classroom teacher
• Help students with assignments
• Help build students’ social skills, emotional skills and self-esteem
• Offer encouragement to help students fit into the classroom and the school community
• Assist with children’s personal care
• Observe students and share their observations with the classroom teacher
• Assist students with special needs using sign language, braille and other supports
• Supervise students on field trips and during activities in school gyms, labs, libraries and resource centres

They may help teachers operate audio-visual and electronic equipment. They may also monitor students during recess and lunch hour. In addition, they may help in the school library or office or perform other duties assigned by the school principal.

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

Provincial hourly rate, work environment, # workers employed, % employed full time.

Teacher assistants work in public and private elementary, middle and high schools. They also work in special schools and treatment centres. They play an important role in both in-class and online learning.  They usually work school hours and may spend some of their time outdoors. Teacher assistants often move from classroom to classroom throughout the day, taking on various tasks. They may help a student understand an assignment, deal with a physical need or manage anxiety. Whatever the challenge, they work as part of a team with the shared goal of helping children thrive.

Career Pathways

Teacher assistants may specialize in supporting children with severe behaviour, autism, hearing impairment or other special needs. With experience, elementary and secondary school teacher assistants can move into other jobs related to child and adolescent care.

Related Careers

Occupational interests.

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics .

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Teacher assistants need a high school diploma. Most jobs also require completion of a 10-month college program in teaching assistance, educational assistance or another social science. Teacher assistants who help students with special needs usually need specific training and experience.

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

• Teacher Assistant/Aide

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See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

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Employment by Region

Labour Market Outlook

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Forecasted Job Openings (2023-2033)

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Insights from industry.

The employment rate for elementary and secondary school teacher assistants has increased in recent years. Also, extra funding introduced with the return to in-class learning after the COVID-19 pandemic created more jobs. Teacher assistants often gain great satisfaction from making a positive difference in students’ lives.

• B.C. Ministry of Education – School District Contacts Map www.bced.gov.bc.ca/schools/bcmap.htm
• CUPE K-12 bcschools.cupe.ca
• Early Childhood Educators of BC (ECEBC) www.ecebc.ca
• Make a Future – Careers in BC Education – Education Assistants www.makeafuture.ca/careers-in-bc-education
• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) www.naeyc.org

Career Videos Watch the video below to see what it’s like to be a teacher’s assistant.

Recent Jobs

Educational assistant, bus monitor, educational assistant.

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Support Staff

Education assistants.

• Skilled Trades Staff
• Office & Clerical Staff
• Custodians & Building Service Workers
• IT & Computer Technicians
• Accounting & Payroll Staff
• Bus Drivers

Support Roles in the Classroom

Education Assistants (EAs) work with teachers to support students with diverse learning challenges, and special needs.  The positions within this classification varies from more general positions to specialized roles such as Autism support workers, severe behaviour worker, and sign language interpreters.

Education Assistants who support students with special needs are also known as Special Education Assistants (SEAS).  The supports they provide include behaviour management, curriculum implementation, social skills development, personal care and physical assistance.

SEAs may work with a school based team including teachers, parents, and medical professionals to support a student’s physical, emotional, and learning needs.  They also help to implement individualized education plan (IEP) designed to help students thrive in the classroom.

Qualifications and Certification Details

For general education assistant roles, certificates or diplomas from recognized college programs are required.  For roles supporting students with particular needs or challenges, additional training in a particular area may be required. For example:

• Classroom and Community Support Worker Program
• Special Education Assistant Certificate
• Special Needs Worker Program
• American Sign-Language
• Applied Behaviour Analysis Therapy

Typical job titles within this classification may also include:

• Teacher Assistant
• Special Education Assistant
• Autism Support Worker
• Severe Behaviour Worker
• Sign Language Interpreter
• Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) Therapist

Education Assistants in BC’s K-12 Education Sector are members of their local support staff union. The terms of employment, including hours of work, will vary depending on the district, the collective agreement, and the type of position held by the employee.

Some districts have applied for and received temporary labour market adjustment hourly increases for specific positions to address the recruitment and retention difficulty of certain position; these adjustments are not reflected in the wages below.

The following are salary estimates based on data from July 1, 2017. Salaries and hourly rates vary from district to district.

Training and Educational Programs

The following post-secondary institutions offer in-person and/or online certified education assistant or special education assistant training in BC.

Thompson Rivers University | Education Assistant & Community Support Certificate Sprott Shaw College – Kamloops | Special Education Teaching Assistant Program

FRASER VALLEY

Ashton College | Education Assistant Diploma Program Kwantlen Polytechnic University | Education Assistant Certificate University of the Fraser Valley | School and Community Support Worker Certificate Sprott Shaw College – Abbotsford | Special Education Teaching Assistant Program Stenberg College | Special Education Assistant Diploma Vancouver Career College | Education Assistant Diploma

College of the Rockies | Education Assistant Certificate Selkirk College | Education Assistant and Community Support Worker Certificate

Ashton College | Education Assistant Diploma Program Burnaby School District 41 | Education Assistant Diploma Capilano University | Education Assistant Certificate Capilano University | Special Education Assistant Certificate CDI College | Education Assistant Diploma Program Delta School District | Delta Teacher Assistant Certificate (DTAC) Program Douglas College | Classroom and Community Support Diploma/Certificate Kwantlen Polytechnic University | Education Assistant Certificate Langara College | Education Assistant Certificate Native Education College | Indigenous Early Childhood Education Certificate Richmond School District No. 38 | Richmond Education Assistant Program (REAP) Stenberg College | Special Education Assistant Diploma Sprott Shaw College – Vancouver | Special Education Teaching Assistant Program Surrey College | Education Assistant Diploma Western Community College | Education Assistant Diploma Program Vancouver Career College | Education Assistant Diploma

NORTHERN BC

Coast Mountain College | Education Assistant Certificate College of New Caledonia | Education Assistant Certificate Northern Lights College | Education Assistant Diploma Northern Lights College | Education Assistant Certificate

Camosun College | Community Support & Education Assistant Nicola Valley Institute of Technology | Aboriginal Early Childhood Education Diploma Okanagan College | Education Assistant Certificate Sprott Shaw College – Kelowna | Special Education Teaching Assistant Diploma Program

VANCOUVER ISLAND / SUNSHINE COAST

Vancouver Island University | Education Assistant and Community Support Certificate

Ashton College | Education Assistant Diploma Program Coastal College | Education Assistant Program College of New Caledonia | Education Assistant Certificate Stenberg College | Special Education Assistant Diploma

Employment Opportunities

Find Education Assistant and SEA jobs on Makeafuture.ca under the ‘support’ position category.

Queen Margaret's School

School District #10 (Arrow Lakes)

School District #57 (Prince George)

School District #50 (Haida Gwaii)

School District #41 (Burnaby)

School District #23 (Central Okanagan)

Oak and Orca Bioregional School

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Do you have the right personality for college?

Get hands-on training to become a education assistant professional, advance your career get the job-ready skills you need to start an in-demand career.

The Education Assistant program trains you to help children and youth who require extra support, assist teachers in early childhood education settings, elementary and secondary schools, and help children and youth in the community. Through theory and practice, case studies, specialized training, and work experience practice, you will be well-prepared and equipped to enter the field of special education.

You will receive over 20 certifications upon graduation, including Standard First Aid, American Sign Language Basics, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, and more.

Do you have the right personality for College?

Admissions requirements.

• High school graduation or equivalent * , OR mature student ** status.
• * From an English-language teaching institution
• ** 19 years of age upon starting classes and Pass the college's admissions test

This program has been approved by the registrar of the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training.

career Opportunities

• Education Assistant

Personality Assessment

Find out what your personality is like and discover your traits, worries & concerns about taking the next step to study at school towards a new and rewarding career. This quick and easy assessment will provide you with some insight into what to focus on and what you might need to watch out for to best prepare you for your new career and school goals!

Financial Assistance

Finding yourself in a position where College is unaffordable is more common than most of us realize. Fortunately, Canada’s provincial and federal governments are very focused on making education accessible to virtually everyone; even students that are new to Canada. Regardless of your situation: didn’t finish high school, are having (or had) financial difficulties, or you are a new arrival to Canada, we will find financial solution best for you! Our Financial Aid Expert will provide you with best options to make education investment in yourself, both realistic and affordable. Let us help you find option that suits you best. Fill out the form NOW!

Government Student Loans

Currently, BC has a government sponsored plan that provides loan assistance to qualified full-time students. The type and amount of assistance usually varies depending on your individual circumstances. If you choose to fund your education through student loans, it is the college policy to apply all loan payments toward the tuition balance until the tuition and other costs are paid in full. This policy is subject to provincial regulation. Loan amounts that exceed tuition fees will be distributed directly to the student.

RBC Royal Credit Line for Students ©

The Royal Credit Line for Students is different from a traditional loan in that it lets you borrow funds as you need them , and only pay the interest on the amount you use, without ever having to reapply. You get all the convenience and benefits with no annual fee. As a student, you may qualify for one of RBC's best rates - Prime + 1%, which applies when you are at school and for a 12 month grace period after graduation. Further information about financial assistance is available from the Financial Representative at your nearest campus.

Other Financial Assistance

There may be other forms of financial aid available to you. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for specific government grants and bursaries. Additionally, you may be eligible to receive funding through a government-sponsored agency such as the Department of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) or WorkSafe. If you have questions about funding your education, each VCC College has a Financial Advisor who can provide information about the various options available to you. Additionally, your Financial Advisor will also assist you with completing your application for whichever funding option you choose.

frequently asked questions

Why we are better.

The range of programs and courses at Vancouver Career College make the school the ideal place to train for a new career in British Columbia. With six locations across the province, visit the nearest Vancouver Career College campus to learn more.

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It’s easy! To start the application process, simply fill up above form!

Why choose Vancouver Career College?

Researching programs and gathering information about schools takes time. And you need to consider whether the school will help you meet your personal and professional needs as well as provide you with a top-notch education. At Vancouver Career College, we recognize you must select a school that suits your needs.

do you offer financial aid?

Yes, we offer Grants, Loans and Private Student Loans. Check for more info on our financial-aid page .

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