Schools are made up of much more than just teachers. Education support professionals (ESPs) play a crucial role in students’ lives, from cafeteria workers and bus drivers to paraprofessionals and teacher’s aides.
Learn more about the types of roles available for education support officers, including salary. You can also find out about gaining a qualification to help you work in this role.
Volunteering
When parents and their children take the time to volunteer, it shows that they care about their school community. It also gives teachers, administrators and staff time to focus on their main job, educating students.
Volunteering can also help students develop soft skills that are valuable in the workplace, such as teamwork, communication and problem-solving. It can also introduce them to new cultures or cross-sections of society that they may not have experienced otherwise.
Some schools even encourage volunteering by integrating it into classroom learning, known as Service Learning. This allows students to pursue volunteer opportunities that are directly connected to academic topics, like reading to residents of a nursing home or working on a water conservation project. Additionally, by highlighting their volunteering experience on a resume, students can set themselves apart in the employment market. Volunteering can also make it easier to find an entry-level job for college and university graduates, especially if they’re having trouble getting in touch with employers and recruiters because they don’t have professional work experience yet.
Helping Your Child Develop Good Study Habits
Developing good study habits is critical for kids to achieve success in school and in life. It’s not always easy, though. For some, it can be difficult to concentrate when there are distractions around them, especially if they are tired or have trouble with focus.
For children who struggle with focus, it can help to set aside a dedicated study space. Make sure it is away from distracting areas like the TV, and consider setting a quiet time for studying. Getting enough sleep is also important for children who want to be at their best for studying.
Encourage kids to try different methods of studying to find what works best for them. For example, some kids can learn better by hearing information rather than reading it, while others learn better when they write it down. Incorporate these strategies into your child’s regular homework routine to help them develop strong study habits. Also, encourage them to take breaks while they are studying to refresh their brains.
Supporting Your Child’s Individual Needs
Education support professionals make schools run smoothly. ESPs are the backbone of every school and classroom, and they make learning possible for all students. They are tasked with making sure each student’s needs are met, and they often have to work with limited resources. It is important for educators to be communicative with their ESPs and share information about students, day-to-day classroom occurrences and teaching pedagogy.
Educators provide kids with personalized instruction and support to ensure they can meet their individual goals. This can be in the form of specialized learning (the unique special education instruction that helps kids meet their IEP goals), related services or accommodations and modifications.
The Education Support Charity is a UK-based charity “dedicated to improving the mental health and wellbeing of the education workforce.” They offer free telephone counselling for trainees, newly qualified teachers, serving teachers, headteachers, lecturers and senior management, as well as TAs and all other education staff.
Participating in Inclusive Events
While there is much to be done, many schools have made progress towards creating inclusive environments. From declining instances of homophobic insults to the growth of extracurricular resources like Gender and Sexuality Alliances, students have found that inclusion can help them thrive in school.
While the majority of studies on inclusive education focus on its positive effects for students with special educational needs (SEN), some research has examined how it can benefit typically developing children as well. They have discovered that kids who interact with peers with different abilities develop more empathy, are less biased and more respectful of others.
Incorporate inclusivity into your event planning by including accessible signage, providing screen-reader friendly documents, indicating food allergies or other special dietary restrictions in advance and offering a gender-neutral restroom. This will ensure that people from all backgrounds feel welcome and included at your event. Additionally, consider offering transportation options for those with accessibility needs, as well as making sure your venue has plenty of room for scooters or wheelchairs and spaces to escape from sensory overload.