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It’s not a job, it’s a career. This is what I wanted to do, this is what makes me happy.

Educational Assistant (EA) Theresa Anderson-Trnka describes her job as playing detective all day long. Whether it’s supporting students with problem-solving, finding engaging ways to make learning fun, or assessing what students need to thrive, every day is different for EAs.

“Sometimes it’s reading to a student or maybe you’re writing for them, because in some cases their writing isn’t the great, or they don’t want to write—they just want to shut down,” says Anderson-Trnka. “So we’re finding something, anything, that’s going to interest them in being in school and learning – we’re playing the detective all day long.”

EAs provide a variety of supports to students who need extra care to thrive in school. From helping them with the curriculum or assignments to providing emotional support to assisting with physical needs, an EA’s job is complex.

Problem-solving a key part of the job

Working with students so closely every day means that EAs get to know them well and can connect with teachers to see what adjustments can be made for students who are struggling. A different topic for a writing assignment or varying the number of math questions that assess understanding are examples of adjustments that can make things easier for students. Wearing a hat while working on an assignment, if it increases the student’s comfort level, or having fidget toys at hand are other examples.

“Teachers’ eyes can’t be everywhere,” she says. “When you’re working with a student [as an EA], you get to notice things anxiety-wise or where something is difficult to do.”

Given the number of students in classrooms, having an extra set of eyes helps students succeed and underscores how EAs and teachers are a team working together for the students.

Finding solutions sparks joy

Finding a solution to whatever challenge students are facing is Anderson-Trnka’s favourite part of the job.

“When they’ve learned something new and it sticks and they understand are my favourite parts, because you can see it in their face that as frustrated as they are, we finally came up with a solution that works for them.”

Sometimes the solutions are curriculum-related and sometimes not, she explains. They could be about making friends, learning small things if they haven’t been in a school before, or having children feel happy and safe in school.

Anderson-Trnka’s daily problem solving also applies to her own position as an EA by trying to figure out how to make sure everyone gets the amount of support they need when they need it. The position is structured to work with one student in the morning and one in the afternoon. But student needs don’t align neatly with the time of day so there’s a lot of juggling EAs do.

It’s clear that, despite any challenges, Anderson-Trnka has found ways to navigate them and stay positive about her work and the positive impact she has on students.

“It’s not a job, it’s a career. This is what I wanted to do, this is what makes me happy,” she says. “Seeing them smile, understanding certain things or if they don’t understand it, being able to find a way to help them so that they are able to understand it, and finding what works for them the best.”

Problem-solving with educational support workers across the country

Anderson-Trnka is Vice-President of Local 460, one of the MGEU’s newest locals, that represents Educational Support Workers in the Winnipeg School Division. With changes to the education system and structure in Manitoba in past years, members felt they needed a union that could advocate for the needs of educational support staff, so that they could do their jobs to support students.

Through her union involvement, she’s seen how the problem-solving aspect of EA work can affect change for EAs across the country. At the Manitoba Federation of Labour Convention, a resolution was passed to treat Educational Support Workers as 12-month employees, like teachers, removing the need for them to be on employment insurance during the summer. The local’s president attended the National Union of Public and Government Employee’s, of which MGEU is a component, and saw the same resolution passed there since it affects educational support workers across the country.

In fall 2025, Anderson-Trnka will begin problem-solving and supporting students in a different way as she moves to a new position as a Library Technician.

Meet another Educational Assistant