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.

Excellent experience when I supplied at St. Thomas Aquinas. Staff and admin were very helpful and welcoming. I continue to take ea supply calls there and highly recommend.

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.

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!

This school had so much potential and for years was run by incredible admins. The last few years however have been an absolute dumpster fire! Constant staff changeover, kids running around ,students frustrated ,staff frustrated and needs increasing. Recipe for disaster!!!!!
They have lost their best staff and this is just compounding the problem. The school board needs to make some changes to admin but would rather see over 20 staff leave. Run away from this school.

got so hot in the school during the summer i threw up (it was like 40 celsius in there) so like maybe teach you teachers to keep the windows closed..?