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!

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.

St. Thomas Aquinas is a berg busy and challenging school, but having worked there a few years and most recently I am very satisfied with the wonderful staff and the support from administration (Plommer and Kay) this year.
Like any school there will always be challenges however, the staff truly cares about the students that they work with and work hard to make sure that the students needs are met every day.
This school may not be for everyone, but it is a welcoming community and worth spending time working here to see what a great school it is.

0/10

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.

I’m not even sure how to explain the stuff that goes on here. There is no admin support to the staff, it’s like they don’t exist. They are only worried about how it appears/their image and really don’t give the staff the support they need. There is a definite divide here. The behaviours are out of control and there is never any follow through to deal with it. Kids rule the school. They do what they want when they want without any real fear of consequences. It’s sad I’m told it never used to be this way. The staff all talk about how times have changed and they used to feel so supported before. I understand there has been admin change but this shouldn’t be happening. Staff should feel safe when they go to work. The EAs are great for the most part and I feel support each other as best they can. However I have seen admin not treat them with the respect they deserve and if I’m being honest some have been treated extremely poorly. This school is very large and needs an Admin who knows how to support the team and deal with extreme behaviours. Sadly this team isn’t it.