Educational support is the services, resources and guidance that help students navigate their learning journey. This can include tutoring, mentoring and personalized instruction tailored to student needs.
Education support professionals (ESPs) are integral to community schools, and many have personal connections. ESPs often live and work in the same communities they serve, and bring a unique perspective to community school planning processes.
Educators
Educators use a repertoire of teaching strategies to promote children’s growth and learning. They recognize the importance of integrating a child’s home cultures and languages into their daily school community. They provide opportunities for children to shape their own learning activities and engage in projects that extend their education. They frequently offer a variety of choice periods that encourage children to explore, express and learn through a wide range of media.
ESPs often take initiative within their assigned roles, anticipating and responding to educational challenges before they occur. This demonstrates leadership capabilities and creates advancement pathways. Educators pursue greater understanding of instructional approaches and theories beyond the requirements of their specific role, improving their collaboration with lead educators and preparing them for future positions.
ESPs play a critical role in all components of student support. Whether as paraeducators, teachers assistants or behavior technicians, they help classroom learning and maintain quality schools. They are the backbone of every school district.
Families
Families play a vital role in providing education support for their students, both in the classroom and at home. This includes assisting with homework and providing tutoring services, as well as encouraging student success in school by creating positive academic environments at home. Family support can also include connecting families with community resources, such as GED courses, adult literacy and foreign language classes.
Educators can build strong relationships with families by establishing trust and respecting their varied backgrounds. This means listening to them and implementing strategies that best meet their needs. For example, by incorporating student focus groups into the family engagement planning process, schools can gather insights from young people who know their own parents and siblings’ perspectives better than anyone else.
Educators should provide families with regular updates on their child’s progress and upcoming events through newsletters, emails or apps. They can also offer workshops and family nights to connect with families and foster a sense of community.
Community
Community involvement in education promotes a positive learning environment for students and teachers. Schools can benefit from community partnerships by providing additional resources, expertise and perspectives to enhance student learning. Community members can also help students overcome barriers to education by offering emotional support or financial assistance.
Education support professionals (ESPs) are a vital part of every public school and are often the first point of contact for families. ESPs include paraeducators, instructional assistants, bus drivers, secretaries, cafeteria workers and custodians. FEA supports their efforts through advocacy, leadership training and professional development opportunities.
Education Support is a UK charity dedicated to improving the mental health and wellbeing of all those working in education. Founded in 1877 as a benevolent fund for teachers, it now provides specialist telephone counselling services to teachers, lecturers, school leaders and support staff in further, higher and adult education as well as delivering workplace-based health and wellbeing activities. Education Support is a member of the Education and Worklife Support Network, Recourse and the Worklife Support Partnership.
Students
A well-rounded student support system provides students with the help they need to thrive academically, emotionally and socially. It ensures students have access to academic resources, emotional guidance and financial assistance.
Providing education support for students can reduce bullying, encourage healthy learning practices, and promote a community where respect and kindness are the norm. In addition, it can help to create a culture of mutual aid where students assist each other academically.
Instructional continuity depends on the skilled work of educational support professionals who manage classroom disruptions, address individual student needs, and maintain instructional momentum. Their contributions go unnoticed but are critical to maintaining a classroom learning environment that fosters student achievement.
ESPs also contribute to the development of classroom culture through their daily interactions with students. Whether they’re paraprofessionals, assistants or specialists, their professional knowledge and skills shape classroom norms and expectations. By communicating effectively with families, establishing appropriate boundaries and using cultural sensitivity, they create positive school-family relationships. They also provide valuable information on student conditions and circumstances to facilitate effective family engagement.