Nanaimo-Ladysmith school district introducing mentorship program to try to boost EA numbers

Zena Bentley, an education assistant, left, helps Hannah Dubenski at Rock City Elementary on Feb. 19. (Jessica Durling/News Bulletin)

Flexible educational assistant program to offer training for interventions for neurodivergent students

In an effort to solidify the numbers of education assistants in the district, Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools will initiate a program this spring intended to recruit and retain staff.

The building education assistants through mentorship program will offer as many as 25 people the chance to learn the ins and outs of being an education assistant responsible for classroom support, including to students with developmental disabilities.

Recruiting EAs has been a long-standing problem, said Kerri Steel, director for instruction and inclusive education for elementary, speaking to trustees at a strategic directions committee meeting Feb. 12.

The district consulted with other school districts and stakeholders before introducing the mentorship program. The six-month program will include classroom learning and 100-hour internships at a school with a mentor, a district staff report stated. Non-violent crisis intervention, understanding students with diverse needs and disabilities, and support for students on individual education plans are part of the program.

Read full story here.