High Prairie School Division is thrilled to announce the hiring of four outstanding individuals to serve as Educational Assistant (EA) Coaches in a pilot program aimed at enhancing educational support across the division. This initiative, a collaboration with Edmonton Public Schools, marks HPSD as one of twelve divisions in Alberta chosen for the Educational Assistant Internship Pilot running from February to June 2024.
The newly appointed EA Coaches are Jacqui Laliberte from École Routhier School, Angie Halverson from Prairie River Junior High School, Trudi Wild from Kinuso School, and Kristie DeChamplain from C.J. Schurter School. Each coach will be instrumental in guiding the next generation of Educational Assistants through a comprehensive training program designed to meet the diverse needs of our students.
The pilot program offers a blend of on-the-job training, online modules, and mentorship by seasoned EA Coaches within the division. The curriculum focuses on critical areas such as supporting diverse learners, managing complex behavioural needs, and enhancing students' numeracy and literacy skills. Additional training will cover support for students experiencing anxiety, those learning English as an additional language, and those on the autism spectrum.
HPSD's participation in this pilot is a significant step towards increasing the number of qualified EAs, removing barriers to training, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and retention within the educational community. The program began with an online orientation for the coaches in February, followed by in-depth, in-school training sessions, which started mid-February.
This initiative aligns perfectly with the aspirations of HPSD's newly formed EA Advisory Team, which has expressed a keen interest in pursuing training opportunities to better collaborate with educators and support student success.
High Prairie School Division extends its deepest gratitude to Edmonton Public Schools and Alberta Education for this opportunity to enhance our educational landscape. We are confident that this pilot program will not only empower our Educational Assistants but also significantly contribute to the quality of education within our schools.
