Mark Cathy

Hi,
We would love to emmigrate to nova scotia in the next year or two (depending on improving house prices!).Could anyone out there answer a question regarding my wife's occupation.My wife is due to pass her level 2 teaching assistant in the next month.How would this help her in searching for a job in NS and what further qualifications would benefit her to improve her chances of being successful in obtaining a job.We are looking at the C.I.S as a way into NS as my job as a sales manager doesn't seem to be sought after in pnp's ot skilled worker sections.She also has alot of experience with dealing with kids who have autism and learning difficulties.Hope you can help!

Many thanks

Mark + Cathy

bananahammock

I'm in the Nanaimo school district but assume the job descriptions/quals are similar ....... this is a copy of my job description to give your wife some idea of what they are probably looking for

TITLE: EDUCATION ASSISTANT II (ASD – POPARD)
SECTION: Student Support Services
REPORTS TO: Principal
DUTIES
1. Assists in implementation of instructional programs for designated students by monitoring, observing,
recording and reporting on behaviourial, learning and personal patterns and implementing the strategies
taught through the Provincial Outreach Program for Autism and Related Disorders which included a focus on
Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA).
2. Assists students, individually and in small groups, with learning activities and/or independent study projects.
3. Assists with supervision of individual or small groups of students, during the temporary absence of teacher.
4. Supports learning and skill development activities in worksite and community-based settings.
5. Assists professional staff to adapt/modify curriculum and resource material and adapts strategies to
accommodate individual learner needs/styles.
6. Observes and documents learner strengths, achievements and needs through daily learning activities.
Assists in the collection of data and maintaining student records for the purpose of evaluating student
progress. Provides information to teacher for home/school formal/informal communications.
7. Provides behaviour support and, when necessary, applies physical restraint following the District’s policies
and procedures.
8. Carries out personal and health care plan as directed.
· supports occupational and physical therapists, including feeding, dressing and undressing, toiletting,
cleaning or washing child or clothing and lifting into and out of wheelchairs, buses and cars.
· Supports speech-language pathologists, vision and hearing impaired specialists and nurses in the
delivery of required services.
· follows established protocol regarding administration of medicine and/or medical procedures.
· assists with the physical safety of students and assists them with crutches or equipment, at and in the
swimming pool and during exercise or play activities.
· operates, services, adjusts, and sanitizes specialized personal and medical care equipment.
9. Prepares classroom and plans activities by gathering resources, including organizing and participating in field
trips.
10. Operates or assists students in the operation of personal computers and other specialized instructional
equipment/technology.
11. Communicates with students using sign language, Braille or other specialized skills as required.
12. Participates in meetings, planning and liaison with parents, District staff and health professionals, as
directed.
13. May, on occasion, be required to perform other related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
· High school graduation or the equivalent.
· Successful completion of a program equivalent to the Malaspina University College Special Education
Assistant certification, including two 105 hour practicums, or an equivalent combination of training and
experience.
· Twenty-five hours of formal training specific to working with children with autism spectrum disorders
equivalent to the Provincial Resource Outreach Program for Autism and Related Disorders (POPARD).
This includes a focus on Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA).
· Excellent leadership, interpersonal and communication skills.
· Demonstrated skills in basic behaviour management.
· Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain respect for and from students.
· Ability to keep accurate records.
· Knowledge of sign language and/or Braille.
· Physical capability to perform the job duties.
· Ability to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information seen or heard.

christmasoompa

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I know that this Wiki article is about teaching in Canada, but thought it may be useful anyway as some of it is bound to be relevant................http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Teaching_in_Canada

thedignans

Hi there,

I am a Substiute Teachers Assistant in the Chignecto Regional School Board. This school board ( I can't speak for any other ) has very specific guidelines as to who can become a TA. The board normally only accepts qualifications from the Community College and they have thier own course that they offer there. However I brought over everything I had qualification/experience wise and gave it into their head office and they looked over it for about a week then told me they would accept it. So I was able to apply.
When you get over you will have to book some courses though.
Standard First Aid
Crisis Intervention
CPR level 3
I did all of these at the Community College for a few hundred $ so it is worth it as they won't even interview you without them.
Anyway good luck and if you need to know anything else let me know.

Julie

katie1962

In Ontario, TA's are required to have completely separate qualifications to teachers. A degree is a usual requirements, such as Special needs or Childhood and Youth Studies. I have an HLTA status from the UK and it was not recognised here, neither were my other Early years / teaching assistant qualifications. A teaching assistant here primarily works with children with behaviour problems and is not an assistant in the UK terms of the role.
I was able to get some experience by volunteering in a school and this proved to be very useful on my CV when job hunting.
Good luck

Steve_P

Link to the job description and requirements for the Calgary Board of Education similar to the above.

http://www.cbe.ab.ca/Careers/Postings/07eda.pdf

Adobe Acrobat required.

Luckyone

Hi there,
my better half has been a Educational Assistant (EA) for the last 16 years or so. The attached may be of assistance, I've not read it all but it may prove useful.
http://www.ednet.ns.ca/pdfdocs/stude...es/ta-full.pdf