Educational Assistant – Classroom Complexity Team

Educational Assistant – Classroom Complexity Team

Inclusive Education and Student Wellness Services | Division-Based Position | Bonnyville, AB

Lakeland Catholic School Division is seeking a compassionate, adaptable, and student-centred Educational Assistant to join our Division's Classroom Complexity Team.

This is a Division-based position designed to provide additional hands-on support to students and school teams responding to complex behavioural, social-emotional, regulation, and learning needs. Working alongside the Student Wellness and Behaviour Support Specialists, Inclusive Education staff, school administrators, teachers, educational assistants, and other members of Inclusive Education and Student Wellness Services, the successful candidate will help students experience greater success, belonging, safety, and engagement at school.

Rooted in the mission of Catholic education, this role supports the whole child and contributes to safe, caring, inclusive, and faith-filled learning environments where every student is treated with dignity and respect.

The Opportunity

Unlike a traditional school-based Educational Assistant assignment, this position will be mobile and Division-based, supporting students and classrooms across multiple schools according to identified need and Division priorities.

The Educational Assistant will work under the direction of Inclusive Education and Student Wellness Services and in collaboration with the Student Wellness and Behaviour Support Specialists, as well as school administration. The role will focus primarily on providing direct support to students, helping implement strategies and plans developed by Division and school teams, and assisting students with regulation, engagement, transitions, behaviour, and participation in learning.

Assignments may change throughout the year depending on student need, classroom complexity, and Division priorities.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Provide direct support to students experiencing complex behavioural, social-emotional, regulation, developmental, or learning needs.
• Support students individually, in small groups, and within classroom environments.
• Assist students with emotional regulation, coping strategies, routines, transitions, communication, social skills, and engagement in learning.
• Implement behaviour, regulation, safety, transition, re-entry, and student support plans as directed by teachers, administrators, and Inclusive Education and Student Wellness Services staff.
• Reinforce proactive and positive behaviour strategies that promote dignity, belonging, accountability, and student success.
• Support students before, during, and following periods of dysregulation or heightened behaviour while following established safety and de-escalation practices.
• Help students re-engage in classroom learning following behavioural incidents, absences, transitions, or periods of difficulty.
• Observe and communicate relevant information regarding student behaviour, regulation, engagement, and response to strategies to the appropriate members of the school team.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, Educational Assistants, administrators, Family Outreach Workers, ISSP Counsellors, Inclusive Education staff, and the Student Wellness and Behaviour Support Specialist.
• Model calm, respectful, relationship-based interactions with students.
• Support inclusive classroom environments and help students participate as independently and successfully as possible.
• Assist with social-emotional learning, relationship-building, conflict resolution, and other proactive student wellness initiatives.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries, confidentiality, and student privacy.
• Travel between Division schools and adapt to changing assignments based on student and classroom needs.
• Participate in relevant meetings, training, and professional learning as required.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• A Certificate or Diploma in Educational Assistance, Child and Youth Care, Social Work, Disability Studies, Human Services, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Experience supporting children or youth with behavioural, social-emotional, developmental, mental-health-related, or complex learning needs.
• Experience working with students who may experience emotional dysregulation, anxiety, trauma-related responses, neurodiversity, communication challenges, aggression, school avoidance, or other barriers to successful school participation.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• The ability to remain calm, patient, and responsive during challenging or emotionally heightened situations.
• The ability to follow individualized plans and direction while also demonstrating sound judgment and initiative.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
• A willingness to work in a variety of school environments and adapt to changing student needs and assignments.
• The physical ability to safely perform the duties associated with supporting students.
• A valid driver's licence and the ability to travel between Division schools.
• A current satisfactory Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Check.
• The ability to work effectively within a Catholic school environment and support the mission and values of Lakeland Catholic School Division.

Preference may be given to candidates with experience or training in:

• Complex behaviour support
• Trauma-informed practice
• Student regulation and co-regulation
• Crisis prevention and de-escalation
• Nonviolent crisis intervention or related training
• Autism and neurodiversity
• Mental health and wellness supports
• Restorative practices
• Social-emotional learning
• Inclusive education
• Supporting students with significant behavioural or emotional needs
• Working collaboratively within multidisciplinary or school-based teams

We are looking for someone who understands that behaviour is communication and who can remain calm, compassionate, and consistent when students are struggling.

The successful candidate will be flexible and comfortable entering different school environments, building relationships quickly, and working as part of a broader team. They will understand the importance of following established plans while also recognizing that student needs can change from day to day.

This position requires someone who can support students through challenging moments without losing sight of their strengths, dignity, and potential.

Above all, the successful candidate will contribute to a Catholic culture of care, belonging, compassion, hope, respect, and accompaniment, helping students with complex needs remain connected to their school community and experience success.

Application Process

Applications for this posting will be accepted through ApplytoEducation.com or via email to [email protected]. We ask that applicants prepare both a cover letter and resume, complete with the names, phone numbers, and emails of at least three current work-related references. Cover letters can be addressed to Kayla Collins, Manager of Human Resources, Lakeland Catholic School Division.

This position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.

The successful applicant will be required to provide a recent criminal record and vulnerable sector check. By submitting an application, applicants consent to Human Resources contacting previous employers to conduct confidential reference checks, whether or not those employers are listed as references.

While we appreciate the interest of all applicants, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.