Every single EA surveyed reported needing to choose between two or more students who require support at the same time. That means that children who are struggling are consistently falling through the cracks, or an escalated child is left to become more distressed and possibly aggressive. This not only affects the child without support, but their peers who are seeing violence. How are our students expected to learn when they have so little support? Educators are burned out, stressed and emotionally drained from trying their
best to support the students we work with and care about deeply. We go home — or to our second jobs — injured and feeling like we didn’t do enough because we are stretched thin and unsupported. Minister Calandra has committed to giving every teacher in Ontario $750 to purchase school supplies, which on paper may seem like a generous and thoughtful display, but I’d like to know how teacher-purchased pencils will help students on the autism spectrum disorder who do not have a designated
support person. How is a student with dyslexia going to get the extra support to read or process or write?
Ontario, teachers, EAs, education support, burnout, autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, school supplies, Minister Calandra
So basically kids get skipped if two need help at once. Cool.
I don’t get the $750 thing. Like pencils solve everything? My cousin’s kid is on the spectrum and they need an actual person, not office supplies. Sounds like they’re trying to look good.
Wait, EAs have to choose between students? That sounds like favoritism even if it’s not. Also what does Minister Calandra even do besides announcements. Probably gonna cut staffing next then say ‘oops burnout’ like that’s news.
This is why school feels like survival now. I read somewhere (maybe wrong) that the autism kids don’t even get aides anymore because of budget stuff, so then everyone just piles up in one class. And then teachers are expected to handle violence with no support?? Like… maybe they should spend the $750 on more EA positions instead of “supplies.”