Learn about a student before you sit beside them.

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Early in my placement, I received feedback about safety. The situation was that I walked into the grade 3 class for the first time with an EA. The EA went to talk to the teacher about something, I sat beside the child that had the designated EA. I was chatting with him, and he was responding, but also rubbing his pencil hard on the desk. The EA looked up, she jerked her head and eyes to non-verbally tell me to move. I walked over to her, and she said that if I hadn’t moved quickly the student’s behaviour would have escalated and I could have been hurt. She knew by working with him, that the rubbing of the pencil was a “tell” that he was agitated. I learned that I need to know some information about a student before just “jumping in”. This not only keeps me safer, but the whole classroom.

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I was warned about Compassion Fatigue.  

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I had been thinking a lot about a boy who was struggling, and told the EA that I was working with my feelings. The child was very behind, he wasn’t assigned an EA, and I was concerned about him. I was told by the EA, that there will be a lot of children that I will get attached to, and many that I will want to help. Many times there are not enough hands or resources to assist children in the way that they need. I was told that it was an admirable quality that I care so much about the students, but I was also told that not everyone will be able to be assisted, and that I need to remember self-care.

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Teachers are in charge of the classroom

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In my placement I was in a classroom where I saw a child that needed academic assistance. He was a child that didn't have a designated EA. I was told that the teacher is in charge of the classroom, and in particular the teacher is responsible for the students that do not have an EA. I was told that the teacher could take it as a personal insult that “you don’t think they are doing their job” by assisting "her" students.

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I was told that it depends on the teacher, and some of them value the extra support. But I was told that even if the teacher approved of the help, I would need to make sure that it wasn't taking time away from the students that are assigned the educational support.

I always responded with a thank-you. It is important to listen to those who are in the field, that want to offer advice. The feedback I got was based on safety, self-health, and respect. All important, and appreciated.

I will apply all feedback to future placement settings. Learning about a student, or any safety concerns is important for all involved.

Also, I learned about compassion fatigue in a Sheridan lecture, but it is quite different when you are in the field. I can see that it is easy to get caught up in how children are doing, and to feel concern,  but at all times, as an educator, I need to also take care of myself so that I am at my best when working with students.

It is also important to be mindful of the teacher in the classroom – knowing what they need, and what they don’t need, is important to maintain healthy relationships that foster open communication.