The function of an educational assistant is to assist the teacher. It is quite common to find educational assistants in primary schools, where they are responsible for taking care of children in difficulty or handicapped, to promote their integration and their learning.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: have an interest in special education
Step 1. Have experience with children
Some educational assistants have experience with children, for example childcare. You must have a baccalaureate or hold a level IV diploma to apply.
Step 2. Know the basics
Take computer lessons, know how to use a computer and word processor, or know how to take notes. The work of an educational assistant consists in particular in taking notes and helping the child in his learning, but also in using different communication technologies.
Step 3. Use your personal experiences
Educational assistants may have personal experience with children with mental or physical disabilities. This reinforces the understanding of the importance of these positions.
Part 2 of 4: Choosing an education method
Step 1. The bachelor's degree is required or a level IV diploma to be an educational assistant
This is the minimum qualification to have to work with children in schools.
Step 2. Submit your candidacy
The academic inspectorate recruits you, on the basis of a public law contract. You can apply to private schools and colleges, which have an independent budget for this type of contract. These jobs are most often offered to scholarship students. The contracts are concluded for a maximum period of 3 years, renewable within the limit of a maximum commitment of 6 years.
Step 3. Create a file at the university or institute of social work
Find vocational training courses to become a pedagogical advisor, school teacher and sign up.
Step 4. Choose longer training over 3 years
The social and medico-social sector offers different types of training to practice special education for children in difficulty or with disabilities. You can choose to become a school teacher and specialist for pupils in difficulty.
Step 5. The State diploma
Whatever the degree of your experience with children in difficulty, environmental or disabled, it is the state diploma that recognizes and validates your ability to support this audience.
For more information, contact the academic inspectorate in your region to find out their need for an educational assistant or other professional profiles
Part 3 of 4: Finding an Assistant Position
Step 1. Contact the education inspectorate in your region to find out if there are any vacancies
Step 2. Start making contacts in April, for the next school year
It is during this period that the academic inspectorate recruits for the next school year and takes stock of the positions to be filled. Some schools may have positions in the fall.
Step 3. The posts of educational assistants do not exceed one half-time
Cumulation is not possible.
Step 4. Be flexible
While waiting for the position of your dreams, in special education or other sector. You cannot choose the class, the school, the age of the children you will have to work with.
Step 5. Discuss the possibility of changing schools, depending on the possibilities
Ask if a specialized class is due to open soon, where and if you can apply for the job.
Part 4 of 4: Focusing on Special Education
Step 1. Look for training to specialize further
There are many more or less short training courses or conferences that deal with the subject of the care of disabled children, such as autism, deafness, learning disabilities, mobility disorders or even development.. Some training courses can be paid for by your employer.
Step 2. The salary
The gross salary, for a full time, is around € 1,200 per month. It can be combined with a higher education grant. In general, educational assistant positions are filled by students, people registered with Pôle Emploi for at least two years. The legislation has recently been amended so that these positions are given priority to the long-term unemployed. The post of educational assistant is not an end in itself, rather a springboard towards a deepening of the knowledge of the child and his care.
Step 3. Take advantage of this status to increase your knowledge
Train school teachers, educational advisor or specialize in disability to take care of children in difficult situations on a daily basis and in their schooling.
