Being an Educational Assistant
We Asked For Comments On Our Educational Assistant Program...
When I see students so proud of their accomplishments that they can't wait to share it with you, that is the time when the job is worth it.
-Santhy V.
E.A. Student 2003
The Big Country Educational Consortium serves a large area of East Central Alberta. Included are communities such as Stettler, Drumheller, Hanna, Coronation, and others. Some years ago, the RDC Teacher Assistant program was delivered full time on site. Although well received, full time delivery made it difficult to reach students isolated by distance or restricted by family or employment responsibilities. In recent years, the program has been offered through distance delivery. Geography and economics have been overcome allowing B.C.E.C. and RDC to reach students who would otherwise not have contemplated such an endeavour. As well, communities, schools and school divisions have benefited from the skills and knowledge acquire by the graduates.
-Richard Kushko, Director
Big Country Educational Consortium
I always thought of myself as open-minded and accepting but you taught me that I had many stereotypes and was misinformed about people with disabilities. At first, I was embarrassed but you helped me see that it was just lack of information. Since taking this course I have been sharing all of this new information with family and friends. I want them to see what I can now see.
I'll never look at a person with a disability the same way again.
-E.A. Student 2003
The RDC training and certification of our Teacher Assistants has been invaluable as a contribution to the success of our students and of our school operation.
-Dave L. Schepens
Sunchild First Nation
I have enjoyed learning and laughing about myself and really liking who I am and where I am going.
-Alicia D.
E.A. Student2003
Our distance education program allows for a wealth of knowledge to be shared by our diverse learners. Participation in our program has grown considerably in the last 5 years, from approximately 25 students to 175. The program has also grown beyond our Central Alberta community to outside Alberta's borders, including students located in British Columbia, the Territories, Ontario and Nova Scotia. Our ability to create a sense of community for our distance learners has led to a high level of student success.
-Shawna Schnick
Instructor
Seriously, these assignments did give me an opportunity to create a list of my progress, achievements, challenges and efforts over time. It was a good reflection of where I've been and where I want to go both privately and professionally.
Academic assistance is only part of what being a Teacher Assistant is about in my view. The other half concerns relationships. How you feel about yourself and what you're doing and how you want to help others feel. It is collaboration of facing and enjoying together the day-in, day-out chronicle of problems, common goals and victories. I can't think of anything I'd rather be doing.
I sometimes feel like a mother duck with ten little fledglings under my wing. To nurture and assist them in their academic journey, slowly weaning them off as they gather feathers of confidence to fly independently on their own, is a privilege and joy.
I leave this course feeling hopeful about my future and at peace with the present; as well as a sense of accomplishment at having tried something I'd never done before.
-Juanita S.
E.A. Student 2003
Having just retired from a long career as a school administrator and teacher, I had some previous experience working with teacher assistants. However, after now having spent two winter sessions instructing and supervising practicum experiences, I continue to be amazed at how well qualified our RDC TA students are to partner with classroom teachers. They genuinely care about kids, they are motivated, and they have the tools to play an effective role in the learning process. Our students have a breadth of knowledge that kept me hopping to keep up the first year I worked with them. Almost inevitably it is not long into the practicum experience before they realize they also have the daily opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children!
-Bob Swabey
Instructor
I know as a Teacher Assistant that I make a difference in many students' lives. Being a part of a team that strives to discover new ways of teaching to the individual child is very humbling. I find that working with children that have disabilities is very challenging, but when they achieve success, nothing could be more rewarding.
-Sandy C.
Educational Assistant
This self-study has been the hardest assignment I have completed in the Teacher Assistant Program, but it has also been the most worthwhile. It has been a very positive learning experience for me. It affirmed areas that I thought I was already strong in. It made me very aware of areas of weakness that I need to work on. I especially enjoyed my learning during my three hours of silence and intend to take more quiet time for myself in the future. My greatest learning occurred after reading Covey's book. We are experiencing a phenomenal change in our household and I am very thankful for it.
-J. C.
E.A. Student 2003
The RDC Teacher Assistant program personnel were always open to suggestions and willing to make accommodations in order to meet special needs of the students. The success of the students always came first.
-Dave L. Schepens
Sunchild First Nation
From what I have observed, most of thegraduates of the TA program at RDC are competent practitioners in classrooms, who retain their idealism and enthusiasm as they 'roll up their sleeves' and get to work assisting their charges.
-Wayne Nylin
Instructor
I have gained a greater sense of compassion and understanding for individuals with disabilities and also for their families. I will bring all this knowledge with me when I start my career as a TA. I am so excited to go out there and make a difference. The difference may be telling someone about the importance of using person-first language, or the importance of full inclusion or how far society has come with the treatment of individuals with disabilities. But, most of all, I want to make a difference in a child's life.
-T.A. Student 2003
My best story is quite simply the privilege of working with students interested in stretching, growing, and learning. I am continually in awe of the huge effort and good will people put forward in this program. I frequently feel inspired by the students I work with.
-Donna Stackhouse
Instructor
In 1994 the Teacher Assistant Department was invited by the Little Red River Cree Nation to deliver our program through a combination of videoconferencing and on-site delivery to3 First Nations communities, Fox Lake, Garden River and Jean D'Or Prairie. I agreed to teach some courses and oversee the project which led me to travel back and forth and to live for the most part in these communities for two years.
I truly felt I was living the values that are important to our department.
I felt particularly fulfilled in my role, knowing that our learners and learning were well served as the program was delivered on-site in students' home communities. We also offered option courses that the communities requested, i.e., Cree Syllabics and Child Development. In addition, our Human Relations course was offered in a manner that particularly met the needs of these communities - Human Relations through storytelling. These innovations gained recognition both within and beyond the college. We won the RDC Program Award of Excellence at the conclusion of this program, and we were asked by the Sunchild First Nation to deliver our program on-site in their locale.
-Linda Moreau
Instructor