Learning support roles are an important part of our educational system and are considered a highly fulfilling career. They ensure that all students are supported and given equal opportunities to reach their full potential, and while learning support positions differ, there are desired characteristics that every organisation looks for.
Here’s four qualities that make a good learning support assistant
1. Good communication skills
Understanding how students learn and develop is a key focus for meeting students’ needs. Communicating actively with students allows you to identify their strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to deliver a personalised approach to your role. It is important that you adjust to your student’s learning methods and there are many resources to help you do this.
Struggling to meet the demands of your student? Talking with your co-workers is always a good idea. You’ll be able to talk and listen to one another about how to adjust teaching strategies and form bonds with like-minded LSA’s which will help you grow in your career.
2. Preparation
We’ve all heard it before, preparation is essential for success; this doesn’t just mean making a generic list and checking it off. Explore what preparation means to you and devise solutions to meet your objectives. Breaking tasks down has been proven to help reduce stress and makes them more manageable, allowing you to be more prepared and organised for your day.
3. Able to give feedback
Working with students in a learning support role allows you to work with them on a consistent and close basis, allowing you to recognise where they are excelling and where they may need assistance – it’s important that you take notes and provide thorough feedback where necessary. This not only benefits the students but also demonstrates that you are actively participating in your role.
4. CPD opportunities
Learning support assistants that engage in training the most are often the ones that help their students produce the best work. The best in the business are passionate about continuous professional development and are often offered the best jobs as organisations are always looking out for LSA’s.
FREE Learning Support Guide
We have created a FREE learning support guide to help you become a specialist in your learning support role. It helps in the identification of behaviours and techniques to ensure that learners and support staff gain the most from their experience.
Download our FREE guide here
To find out more about learning support assistant positions contact our team today!
