educational assistant

teacher

english as a second language teacher

wellness specialist

social worker

Hamilton Wentworth District School Board

Working for the Board Of Education in the Security Department entails monitoring security of 112 schools within the Board.  Security of schools entails the overseeing of electronic surveillance equipment.  The daily activity of opening and closing of schools, responding to break and enter alarms, fire alarms, heating, electrical, and plumbing issues are all included as part of a regular day in the security office.  Security staff work closely with Garda Security for alarm responses, local fire and police departments, and maintenance contractors.  In addition to these duties, security personnel are also responsible for the physical checks and security of the Board Office.

Through my employment at the Board Of Education I have learned to write detailed, accurate daily report with respect to daily activities.  I  regularly correspond with management and co-workers, and attend all required meetings. I have taken advantage of training opportunities through the board such as non-violent crisis intervention  among others to enhance my abilities as a security person.

Working as an Educational Assistant (EA) for the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board can be a rewarding experience in terms of supporting students, but it is also highly stressful and often undercompensated. EAs are frequently assigned to work with students who have complex physical, behavioral, or emotional needs, yet are expected to manage these challenges without sufficient resources or staffing. Many EAs face physically demanding tasks, including lifting or managing violent behaviors, all while maintaining a calm and supportive presence. The emotional toll of the work—especially when dealing with trauma-affected students or witnessing systemic gaps in support—adds to the pressure.

Despite the demands of the role, compensation remains low, especially considering the responsibilities and risks involved. Many EAs work part-time, limiting their ability to earn a livable wage. Many who work full-time have part-time jobs on the side to make up for the low pay. While the work is meaningful, the combination of high stress, safety concerns, and inadequate pay makes it difficult to sustain long-term.

My day starts at 5:00am getting up to get ready for work. I come in to my work before staff comes in. I help out staff or students if they need me. Even though I am in a school all day I still learn how to help certain students with problems. I get along with management we can talk or figure things out when a problem comes up. I have a great time with my co-workers we can get our jobs done and still find time to have a great time together. The hardest part of my job sometimes is not having enough staff to clean section and teachers upset because we have to work around the problem sometimes. My most enjoyable part of my job is talking with staff and students parents and realizing that everyone feels that I am doing a great job. The way I look at my job is its not just a job but family. Everyone in my building is like family and I just want to make sure everyone is safe and happy. I look forward to coming into work everyday.

What is the best part of working at the company?
working with amazing staff and supporting students and families who really appreciate it.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Management does not seem to appreciate the importance of developing and maintaining those to best support the students , and chose to move people based on their own logistics rather than support

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Admin can struggle to support program and at times need reminders about what the program is and is not. Staff are awesome for the most part but when staff dont support program it can be difficult

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Every day is different as it all depends on the students' struggles. When things are calm, there is time for doing behavioral plans and supporting students in the classroom and devloping  activities'

It's only nice to work if you're permanent. It's hard to find LTOs every few months/every year. The students are great, the staff are great but management isn't really good. They don't really care about their employees.

Schools are severely understaffed with EAs but they don't allocate any even when the teachers advocate for more help. At my previous school, the principal and vice principal are sometimes forced to be an EA because of the lack of EAs. Admin and other staff are nice enough to help at times but it shouldn't be their jobs to do so.

I get the need for casual EAs but honestly most of us need a permanent job. I don't understand why they don't open more permanent positions as schools clearly need it as well. The ratio between high needs kids versus EAs is ridiculous. And from what I've heard high needs kids are increasing every year.

HWDSB is highly invested in providing professional development to its staff, but many new approaches are not welcome at some of the schools. Everything depends on what school you're at and who you work with. some people are fantastic, others not so much. 
As a support staff, you are not fairly paid for the work they expect you to do. its very unfortunate. the board just allowed a wage enhancement of $2/hour for supply EAs as of this month. they are very short of EAs overall and supply gigs are often not filled.
I recommend applying here if you need experience and/or live in the area. however, apply to other boards as they will pay you more and treat you better! Have this one for a back up just in case you are short work. 

I am returning next summer (only a summer position) 

My work day started early at 6:30 every day. There was 4 other university/college students and we each had a high school student that was to be mentored by older students. We has a list of school to do each week and we would go around and fix the gardens and give the front some talc.  I was without a boss most of the time other than weekly checkins, it was my responsibility to get the job done.  We where given a work car and a cellphone to communicate with one other.  My coworkers were amazing, we all helped each other out and made each other day a bit more fun.  The hardest part of the job would be make sure we stay in schedule, some of the work was more than we could handle and it took us more time to fix up one school than some smaller schools.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The varied location in different parts of town. The students challenged me but taught me so much as well.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Toxic environments created by staff and upheld by admin. In some cases admin was responsible for the toxic environment. Not knowing what you’re getting into. Staff clicks, like they never left highschool.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
For the most part it’s ok if you can navigate it. I enjoyed working with the students and most staff but read the answers to the previous 2 questions for more detail.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Very different from school to school and student to student.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Being supported to take time off when I’m unwell, amazing staff and students, the opportunity for growth and leadership.  

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Accountability for student and staff well being. 

Opportunities for growth:  Communication of roles and expectations for all staff, underfunding for front line workers, EA’s should be trained as specialists and paid accordingly and/or more specialized programming available for educators. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Big and exciting changes happening 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Doing what I love and supporting students in their next steps

well working at at Hamilton Wentworth District School Board i thought i was going to feel out of it due to it being a semi-new experience but even on the first day i was welcomed as a co-worker as if i had worked there prior.the hardest part of the job was in my opinion was also the most enjoyable and that was working with others, i'm not the best when it comes to working with others but that is mostly due to me not knowing the way they speak but after that i love working with them.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Educational assistant 10 salaries reported	$24.47 per hour
Teacher 5 salaries reported	$80,218 per year
English as a second language teacher 4 salaries reported	$37.65 per hour
Wellness specialist 4 salaries reported	$89,059 per year
Social worker 3 salaries reported	$61,676 per year

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