Educational Assistant

Program Highlights

What do you remember most about the teachers you liked best? Chances are, these teachers were empathetic, had a good sense of humour, were kind, and challenged you to fulfill your potential. They took an interest in you.  As an educational assistant, these same skills and qualities will help you make a difference in a child's life.

You will spend the first semester in the Educational Assistant program learning more about yourself (self-knowledge is important when working with others), about other people, and about their communities. Computers are an important part of your work in the classroom or institutional setting, and you'll become competent in their use, to support your college and career goals. You will also have a chance to learn a whole new language - American Sign Language.

In the second and third semesters, the roles of teacher and educational assistant will be explored and more clearly defined. You'll learn how to manage behaviour, modify educational programming, support exceptional children, and assist with curriculum planning. Of course, a lot of this training is experiential, in various educational settings in the community.

During third semester, you will spend three days a week in class at Fleming and two days a week in a classroom in an area school. The final part of the program is an intensive, semester-long, practical learning experience in an educational setting or agency.

If you have already completed an Ontario College Diploma or a university degree, you may be eligible for the accelerated Educational Assistant - Advanced Standing program. You can graduate in just ten months.

Why Choose Fleming

In the 20 years plus that the Educational Assistant program has been offering training, area school boards have said this is the diploma program they want their Educational Assistants to have. In short, the Fleming program has a reputation for excellence, and well-rounded graduates.

Aboriginal Emphasis Initiative

Fleming College's Aboriginal Emphasis Initiative is an inclusive approach to providing more understanding of Aboriginal peoples, communities and nations. You will have an opportunity to take courses designed from an Aboriginal perspective with emphasis on Aboriginal peoples, history, spirituality and culture. See the Aboriginal Emphasis Initiative  page for courses available in this program.

Work Experience

You will refine your skills as a competent, caring educational assistant during the 95 days of placement which take place during second year. You may choose to do your final practice in any community in Ontario that you wish. You will be required to submit a current police records check, which is available from your local police department upon payment of a fee.

Is this You?

To succeed in this program and career, you require:

• a love of children, and concern for their healthy physical, intellectual, and social emotional development
• strong oral and written communications skills
• the ability to work as part of a team
• flexibility
• cultural and "ability" sensitivity
• excellent interpersonal skills
• excellent problem solving skills
• empathy and creativity
• basic computer skills

Any experience working with children or youth, such as in a summer camp or day care, or a peer tutoring program is an asset.

Career Opportunities

The main employer of educational assistants is the school system, but there are also opportunities in other institutional settings offering education as part of the programming. Some of our graduates find employment as a result of their placement in their final semester and may even be offered a job prior to graduation. Educational Assistants might begin their careers working on a supply list replacing Educational Assistants who are absent. A number of Educational Assistants like the flexibility and variety that this provides, and continue with this type of employment even when offered more long-term work.

Minimum Admission Requirements

 OSSD with the majority of credits at the College (C) and Open (O) level, including:

• 2 College (C) English courses (Grade 11 or Grade 12)

When (C) is the minimum course level for admission, (U) or (U/C) courses are also accepted.

Mature Students

If you are 19 years of age or older before classes start, and you do not possess an OSSD, you can write the Canadian Adult Achievement Test to assess your eligibility for admission.

*Students starting in January are required to attend classes over the summer semester.

Related Programs

Considering a range of caring, people-focused professions? You may want to check out the Early Childhood Education and Recreation and Leisure Services programs, which offer a different opportunity to work with children and youth.

Additional Costs

Students should plan to spend approximately $700 per year for books and supplies.

Transfer Agreements

• Athabasca University
• Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
• University of New Brunswick
• University of Ontario Institute of Technology

For more information see the Pathways to University page.