Education is a vital part of an individual’s life. It fosters intellectual growth, builds self-esteem, and helps instill a sense of purpose.
A school’s staff is made up of more than just classroom teachers and principals. Education support professionals (ESPs) are critical to a successful learning environment. They work alongside instructors and assist with a variety of tasks in the classroom.
Education Supporters
Education support professionals are the backbone of our school systems. Paraeducators, secretaries, custodians and bus drivers are just a few of the people who keep kids safe and provide them with the tools they need to learn. Without them, students wouldn’t get the extra help they need to manage their behaviour or cope with disabilities and learning challenges.
They guide and support students and teachers by helping create education and lesson plans, providing education counseling, and suggesting teaching techniques to improve educational effectiveness. Education support workers work collaboratively with other members of the school staff and primarily report to the school principal or dean of students.
They often receive little on the job training and must learn how to perform their duties by observing other staff and students in action. They may also need to attend training seminars to improve their knowledge of specific subject areas or policies and procedures.
Instructional Support Professionals
Students need more than teachers and principals to make learning possible. Education support professionals work behind the scenes in cafeterias, hallways and classrooms to keep schools running smoothly. They include cafeteria workers, custodians, bus drivers, secretaries and security staff. They also include paraeducators, or teacher’s aides.
The Center for Instructional Support works to ensure that every student has access to a safe school environment where they can cultivate academic curiosity and confidence; read complex texts in all subjects; work on real-world problems; participate in the arts; and share their ideas, both written and verbally.
ESPs play a crucial role in all of these areas. The term “educational support professional” is a more accurate description of their duties and responsibilities than “pupil services personnel” or “related service personnel.” Congress adopted the new name with the passage of ESSA. The term is also used in state statute. NJEA has a long record of success in safeguarding and promoting the careers, training and pension/health benefits of educational support professionals.
Administrative Support Professionals
Administrative support professionals work in a wide range of industries, and typically report to the office manager. They perform a variety of administrative tasks, such as filing and completing reports. They may also assist with customer service and data entry.
Tutoring and formal classes to obtain a Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) diploma, vocational training or an apprenticeship program are examples of education support services that can be provided. Educational supports can include transportation assistance, day care expenses, clothes, books and supplies.
The organization Education Support, a UK charity, helps teachers cope with stress and burnout by offering telephone counselling. Its services are open to all teaching staff, including trainees, serving teachers, and headteachers. Its services also include counseling for support staff in the adult, further and higher education sectors. Its website also includes fact sheets and information useful to teachers. The organization also offers career guidance and a mentoring scheme for new teachers. It also runs a conference and exhibition for the education sector.