Education support is a broad term that refers to the academic resources, emotional guidance, and financial assistance that students need to excel in their learning journey. Educators play a crucial role in providing and coordinating these services.
Learners are increasingly demanding personalized and customized education support services that align with their individual needs, preferences, goals, and learning styles.
Teachers
Teachers play a critical role in providing education support to learners. They provide tutoring, mentoring, counseling, coaching, and guidance to their students. They also help their students overcome academic and personal challenges.
Teachers can provide individualized support to their students by understanding their strengths, challenges, and learning styles. They can also adjust their teaching methods and materials to meet the needs of each student.
Teacher support services can enhance teacher quality by helping them improve their pedagogical skills and content knowledge, and by providing them with opportunities for professional growth. In addition, they can help teachers develop strong relationships with their students and families.
Education support professionals, including paraeducators, food service workers, and skilled trade workers, are essential in schools. They keep schools running smoothly and ensure that students are healthy, safe, and ready to learn. They are an important part of the school community and deserve to be recognized and supported. They should be included in whole-child policies and practices and given fair compensation and benefits.
Families
Students who have family support often have higher grades, better participation and attendance in school, and a greater desire to learn. They also have more self-esteem and are less likely to drop out of school. In addition, family involvement in education helps schools improve student morale and boost their ability to motivate and engage students from different backgrounds.
Education support services include tutoring, mentoring, counseling, coaching, and community resources. They are available at all levels of learning and can be tailored to specific needs, challenges, and goals. ESPs are often the backbone of these services, and they work tirelessly to ensure that students have all the tools they need to succeed.
Educators should always remember that families have busy schedules and situations, but they should welcome families to participate in their classrooms and schools as much as possible. This will help educators establish partnerships that are based on respect and trust. The result will be positive for everyone:
Schools
Schools can play a key role in providing education support services. They can help address the academic and non-academic needs of students, including promoting a positive school culture and community, increasing family engagement, and connecting students with resources in their communities.
They can also provide access to academic support, such as tutoring and mentoring. Academic support services can help students improve their academic performance, especially in subjects they struggle with. These services can also help students develop lifelong learning skills and coping mechanisms.
Schools would not function without the hard work of education support professionals. From bus drivers to secretaries and cafeteria workers, it is difficult to imagine a school day without them. MSEA has a proven track record of helping ESPs win decent wages, better working conditions, and respect for their vital contributions to student and school success.
Students
Students can benefit from education support by gaining access to extra learning resources and tools. These can include reference books, educational apps, and virtual learning platforms that help improve their study habits. Education support also empowers students by building their confidence and self-assurance, helping them overcome the challenges they may face on their educational journey.
Another way education support can help students is by creating a supportive learning environment and making learning relevant. This can be done by promoting inclusivity, creating positive relationships, and addressing any barriers to learning that may arise.
The backbone of school systems, education support professionals (ESPs) are the educators that ensure every student has a chance at a great education. They can be found in classrooms, offices, busses and cafeterias. From paraeducators to clerical and custodial staff, and food service workers to security personnel, ESPs are the ones who keep our schools running smoothly. FEA helps ESP members win decent wages, better working conditions and more respect for the critical role they play in our educational system.