I’m listing all of the incidents that I’ve experienced (that I can remember )since the start of my EA journey in late 2017.

On a regular basis I am subjected to: slapping, kicking, punching, pinching, spitting, sworn & screamed at, pushing, foot stomping & head butting.
Occasionally I am subjected to: body slamming, biting, hair pulling & threats
Once I was slapped hard across the face, whipped with a gait belt across the face just below the eye and knocked in the head by a students head

Sadly I’ve witnessed several violent incidents against coworkers & students.
This is physically and mentally exhausting.

Thanks you for collecting our stories and hopefully shedding light on this crisis!

Staffing levels do not equate the needs of the school. EAs are often managing 2 plus special needs students and the students who are lower academically get very limited, if any support.
There is no standard for any disciplinary action. Staff are often exposed to verbal abuse, students always have the upper hand as there is no follow through. Unacceptable behaviour becomes the standard because of this and staff feel frustrated and helpless.
Being hit, slapped etc has become the norm for EAs. It shouldn’t be. It’s unacceptable that violence is so accepted and no one is looking for a solution. Yes ,PPE is provided but the term educational assistant implies you are helping students with their education not dressing in PPE to face a day of physical abuse. Something needs to change. I don’t think this schools experience is unique I think this stems throughout the Catholic board across the schools. I have worked in many and it also applies there too.

As a teacher at St. Anne, I am lucky to work with many exceptional educators including our administration. Our school population has grown exponentially over these last two years, and throughout these changes, our administration has welcomed families and supported staff with this growth. Our admin are always outside on supervision and visible in the halls and classrooms making it a point to know student’s names and greet each with a smile. Our administrators treat our students with respect and kindness, and promote an environment where educators are supported to do the same. In such a big school with so many staff and students it can be difficult to create community but I feel this is a priority for administration and they have done a great job.

Supply here often. Staff is welcoming and supportive. I accept ea positions often. Highly recommend.

My children were students at St. Marguerite D'youville for 10 years. They had excellent teachers in FDK, Gr 1 - 6, and 8 and were in a positive, healthy learning environment from FDK until the end of Grade 3.
We had zero issues with staff and students up until that time. One of my daughters started to experience bullying at the school in grade 4. The school started to fall apart after the school re-opened after the pandemic and the old Principal was re-assigned to a different school within the DCDSB. The staff turnover rate has significantly increased since the old Principal left. The school has lost 2 Program Support department heads, 5 EA's, a secretary, and custodians over the past 3 years. I have heard that the behaviour of students at the school has been terrible since the old Principal was re-assigned to a different school 3 years ago. I can only hope that the new school administrator and the school board will be able to restore the school to the positive, healthy learning environment that it once was.

I have to say I’ve never experienced such a staff low as in the past two years working in this school environment. It doesn’t seem anybody walking the halls is happy (with management). Although staff is very supportive to each other, I see EAs working hard every day to support their students with shortage of staff and high level of students that need support. Support is taken away from some students and given to others & students are clustered in areas because of shortages. Overall, staff morale is very very low. Us teachers, and EAS are struggling, not getting support that is needed in the classrooms resulting in burnout! We can all pretend to a certain point , but this is actually ridiculous!