Education Assistant

Langara College is a public college located in Vancouver, British Columbia. It was founded in 1965 and offers a range of programs including arts and sciences, business, nursing, social sciences, and continuing studies. Langara College is a respected institution that provides high-quality education, career opportunities, and a supportive community for students and faculty alike.

This eight-month full-time or six-semester part-time certificate program prepares students for career opportunities in the education system working alongside teachers supporting students with disabilities as Education Assistants. The program combines a range of courses that provide a balance between a strong theoretical foundation and practical experiences so students graduate well prepared to begin their career. In the public school system, a movement away from segregated classrooms toward inclusive classrooms has resulted in dramatic changes in the way students with disabilities are educated. It is an important goal of the faculty of the Education Assistant Program to provide students with opportunities to become competent and employable paraprofessionals in these dynamic environments. Bonnie Cheng, graduate of Langara's Education Assistant program, became one of this year’s finalists for the Premier’s Award of Excellence in Education, which recognizes exceptional teachers, support staff, and administrators throughout the province. “I love working with students and watching them grow throughout our journey together,” says Cheng. “What I enjoy most about being an SSA is building relationships with students, staff, and families within the school community.”