Thursday
May 06, 2010
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Education Assistants' Day celebrated
CALGARY — More than 150 Education Assistants and Bow Valley College Education Assistant Certificate students were on hand today at the Cardel Theatre for festivities marking Calgary’s third annual Education Assistants’ Day.
Spearheaded in 2009 by a BVC alumna, the day celebrates the significant contributions education assistants make in the lives of children.
Calgary Ald. Ric McIver opened the celebration with greetings from the city.
“I would suggest to you that you are that glue that keeps the classroom together,” said McIver. “It is my pleasure and honour to welcome you on behalf of Mayor Bronconnier and my colleagues on city council.”
Sponsors of today’s event include Bow Valley College, the Calgary Board of Education, Foothills Academy and the Royal Bank Foundation.
In 2009, Kelly Batt, Bow Valley College Education Assistant graduate, requested that the city honour the valuable work Education Assistants do in the city. As a result, Mayor Dave Bronconnier formally recognized May 6 as Education Assistants’ Day.
“Having this day recognized by the city reaffirms that Education Assistants are valued members of a larger community and it strengthens their dedication to the learners they work with everyday,” said Batt.
Education Assistants play a pivotal role in Alberta’s education system by working with teachers and other professionals to support children with diverse learning needs.
“I cannot stress enough how much teachers appreciate and support the work our educational assistants do in classrooms around the system,” said Jenny Regal President, Calgary Public Teachers.
Bow Valley College--Calgary and region’s Comprehensive Community College--with more than 11,000 full- and part-time students, is a leader in health and business career training, adult upgrading, and English as a Second Language. BVC’s Test of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES), workplace training for immigrant professionals, and employment services provide a wide-range of services for business and professionals. Established in 1965, Bow Valley College is in the midst of a multimillion-dollar expansion, creating state-of-the-art facilities and doubling its student capacity by the year 2012.
