Educational Assistant CERTIFICATE at Saskatchewan Polytechnic

Program Overview

If you like working one-on-one with kids with different needs, and you want to see them included in the classroom, becoming an educational assistant might be the career for you. Educational assistants provide the all-important one-on-one support that makes today’s inclusive classrooms possible.

The Educational Assistant program is respected by school boards province-wide. We’ll teach you the skills and give you the hands-on experience you need to make a lasting difference in a child’s life.

Note: The Regina Campus delivery of this program is suspended, effective July 1, 2016.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic offers the one-year Educational Assistant certificate program in Saskatoon, as well as through regional colleges around the province. Or, you can take the certificate through distance education. Whether you study on campus or via distance learning, you’ll participate in two 4-week practicums - one in an elementary school, one in a high school.

Why Practicums?

Putting you in the classroom lets you apply what you’ve learned to helping children with different needs. You’ll see first hand the kind of technology being used and the curriculum being taught. You’ll have a package of guidance strategies to help deal with situations as they arise. Most importantly, you’ll gain a solid understanding of what to expect in a real classroom with real kids.

What You’ll Learn

Your job is to assist classroom teachers by working with children or youth with diverse learning needs. Saskatchewan Polytechnic provides the knowledge and skills you’ll need, including:

• basic care skills (lifting to feeding)
• classroom management and crisis prevention techniques and strategies
• communication skills and professionalism
• cultural awareness and family dynamics
• exceptionalities (causes, characteristics and accommodations)
• social, emotional, cognitive development (children and teens)
• supporting teachers in specific subject areas
• your role in the classroom

“Our students always say that the practicums are their favourite part of the program. They get to see what the job is really all about. It’s one thing to learn from lectures and textbooks, but being in the classroom really puts it in perspective.” - Program Head

Career and Salary Information

Your Career

Educational Assistant graduates work in elementary, junior high and high schools in communities around the province. School divisions offer full time, part time and casual positions. You might be based in the classroom or resource room. You might assist with a lunch program or a before/after school program.

You can also explore career opportunities outside the traditional school setting—in youth centres, community centres, care facilities and alternative education programs.

For more information, contact the Student Employment Services at the Saskatchewan Polytechnic campus nearest you.