The Role of Educational Assistants

EAs are inclusion facilitators (they can look for opportunities for students to participate with
peers in your classroom). In hands on classes (Technology, Phys Ed, Art, Cul Tech, etc.) or when
students are in groups, EAs may be doing their best work when standing back and observing
students engaged with their peers and intervening only when necessary to get students on
track.

EAs working with students outside the classroom must be kept to a minimum and only to fill in
short gaps. This must be done under the teacher’s direction, where EAs are reinforcing
concepts already taught in the classroom. EAs do not teach curriculum.

What EAs can do for you:

 Read to and scribe for students
 Monitor student work and behavior
 Help keep students on task
 Assist with seatwork where possible
 Assist with homework checks
 Hand out or collect work

What EAs say:

 Learn my name and introduce me to the class
 Acknowledge my presence regularly
 Tell me what you expect and listen to my concerns
 Help me find ways to include students I am assisting
 I may have other responsibilities that cause me to leave class early or arrive a bit late. I
can discuss these with you
 You are the teacher, I need your direction
 I am probably not familiar with your curriculum
 I can do my job better when I feel valued and appreciated so please collaborate with me