My first week of practice education as an EA

A new experience

Last week I started my eight week journey of practice education as an EA, otherwise known as a practicum.  This is where the class puts our eight months of in-class learning into action. We put our Education Assistant knowledge to the test in real life. This is where everything we’ve learned is put into practice.

My first week was amazing, exhausting and exhilarating. I am in an elementary school for my first practicum. When I arrived at the school I was excited and nervous. I felt like there was a knot in my stomach and my legs felt like jelly but you would not have known it from the outside. I walked into the school and found my classroom where I met the teacher and the two Education Assistants.

Meeting the students

After introducing myself to the teachers, we went to the doors to let the students in. They were all very curious as to who I was and what I was doing there. It was in that moment that I met the student I was going to be working with. The student has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and experiences high anxiety when it comes to small, enclosed spaces. He had to peer into each bathroom on the way up to the class without going inside.

When we returned to the class it was time to work and it was not just that student who I was there to support in my practice education as an EA. The teacher asked if I would feel comfortable helping students who need extra help but don’t have a designation. I happily agreed and was cheery on the outside but nervous and unsure on the inside. Regardless, I jumped right in and it was amazing!

The rest of the week flew by! Not only did I work with the student I was assigned to, but I also got to work with the other two students who have designations, as well as other children who needed a little extra help.

I helped so much because I took initiative, jumped in head first and got my hands dirty. By the end of the week, I was so happy that the children were coming up to me and asking for help when they needed it. Even though I was exhausted and in bed by 9:00 p.m. every night, I had the most exciting week of my schooling.

I cannot wait for week two! Stay tuned for more practicum excitement!