Including All Citizens Pathway offers educational support that is built right into the way that we teach. We also provide educational support from other students who are hired to be educational support students in each class. The support students are there to support everyone, not just IACP students.
Our role as Educational Support Students is to provide support to both students and instructors. We support everyone in the class with various activities and assignments while helping instructors with various course related tasks. One responsibility is taking notes during class, which we then give to the instructor to share with all students.
Building personal connections with students is also an important aspect of our role. We celebrate students’ wins, hobbies, and milestones, creating an environment where they feel supported, connected, and valued. Emotional support is a key part of what we do. We provide validation and encouragement, and we work to help students feel more confident in advocating for themselves within the post-secondary educational system.
Key to Critical Disability Pedagogy is recognizing that many students have years of educational trauma that sometimes creates barriers to self-advocacy. Educational Support Students advocate with students and are here to support students with communicating with instructors, whether it’s requesting extensions, clarifying feedback, or seeking guidance. We often serve as a soundboard, helping students feel more comfortable reaching out to instructors and/or other university departments and helping to foster self-advocacy skills.
Educational Support Students facilitate a weekly homework club where students can gather, connect, and work on assignments. It’s a time for students to collaborate, build connections with us and each other, and receive help with their work. We offer support with clarifying concepts, editing assignments, and providing support as needed.
We encourage students to engage with the wider KPU community including other supports that are available including tutors from The Learning Centre, Academic Advisors, Counselling Services, Accessibility Services, and Student Awards and Financial Assistance (SAFA) department.
Our goal is to make sure students feel heard, understood, and are empowered.