200 Red Deer Public EAs attend professional development ahead of Aug. 31 start
Sessions covered more than a dozen topics as the district partnered with Red Deer Polytechnic to prepare support staff for the new school year.
Roughly 200 educational assistants with Red Deer Public Schools took part in professional development sessions this week, held in partnership with Red Deer Polytechnic. The training was designed to give EAs practical strategies to support students with diverse needs before classes begin Aug. 31.
More than a dozen session topics were offered, including student motivation, math anxiety, emotional regulation, neurodiversity, language development, communication, early literacy, positive behaviour guidance, and the respective roles of teachers and EAs.
Chris Good, Associate Superintendent of Student Services, said investing in EAs' professional learning supports student success by giving staff everyday tools to help students regulate emotions, communicate, and build literacy and numeracy skills. He added that equipping adults working with students strengthens the overall learning environment.
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