They are pillars of schools. Océane, Alix and Patrick are educational assistants (AED) among the thirteen of the Marie-Le Franc high school in Lorient (Morbihan). For their fourth return, they prepared to welcome the 757 students of the establishment. And their role is not the least.
Between administrative work, connecting students with the teaching team, teachers and parents, helping with homework or supporting teenagers on a daily basis, their days are busy.
But what takes precedence for supervisors is the relational aspect with high school students. “We do outreach work. We also have educational missions. That’s the difficulty: knowing how to be close while keeping your distance”, explains Patrick, 57 years old. Because AEDs are “a first listening for students”underlines Océane. “When they need an answer or direction, they often come to us”continues the 25-year-old woman.
A real profession
For Patrick, this job is even a vocation. After several years of teaching in the private sector, he decided to change his voice “by choice. This is proof that it is a real job, a real passion. It’s very rewarding to be an educational assistant”, he says. The bond with the students is not the only one that matters.
For the smooth running of the school life of an establishment, the agreement with the principal educational advisers (CPE) is just as important, as Alix reminds us. “We have knowledge of the students and the relationships between them which helps the CPEs to make certain decisions, such as in the event of conflicts for example. »
Despite its many missions, the post of AED suffers from a lack of recognition.
For Alex, “This work is not valued. It is seen as a small job. » Words approved by his colleagues. Not to mention the precariousness of contracts, rarely full-time.
2023-09-03 16:30:52
#Lorient #rewarding #educational #assistant
