Bianca is shaping the future through Education Support

For Bianca Falcone, family always comes first and home-schooling her three young children during lockdowns ignited a new passion and career path through School-Based Education Support.

After school, Bianca embarked on a career as a marketing professional and successfully completed multiple marketing qualifications. Bianca built her marketing and administration career in various sectors, including her family’s insurance business before starting a young family. The niggle of teaching has always been at the Bianca’s back of mind and when the pandemic lockdowns hit, Bianca faced with the challenge of home-schooling her young kids. With a natural aptitude for teaching and a passion for young minds, Bianca took a leap of faith and enrolled in Certificate III in School-Based Education Support CHC30221.

Combining study with a busy family life   

Bianca weighed up the risks and benefits of studying at university and decided that the learning environment of Melbourne Polytechnic was better suited to the path she wanted to follow and the style in which she wanted to learn. ‘The class sizes are much smaller than the university lecture halls, this means that the teachers naturally have a more student-focused teaching style, attention to detail for each student really makes a difference to your learning outcome’.

One of the key benefits of studying education support for Bianca was the family-friendly timetable of the classes, starting at 9am and finishing at 3pm, Bianca was able to study whilst managing her own school runs.

A day in the life of an Education Support worker

Education Support staff, or Teachers’ Aides, are integral to any education environment. Although integrated into a wider school team, support staff predominately work in collaboration with a teacher to develop a student’s individual learning needs and build social skills, self-esteem and cognitive development through learning. Administrative tasks may also be part of the job requirement as well as attending school events (fun!) and providing feedback to parents and carers on a student’s learning progress.

No two days are the same in the classroom and every student has different needs; you’re constantly engaged and inspired at work.

The Scoop on an Education Support Career

The average per annum salary for Education Support workers is $60k, however, there is room to move and grow within the sector. Upskilling in education allows students to follow a definitive career often parallel with working. As well as attractive study timetables, the hours of work generally follow a school timetable, making this an ideal option for return-to-work parents.

A Certificate III in School-Based Education Support CHC30221 can be completed in 6 months, full-time at approximately three days a week.

The future looks bright.

Bianca says, “I’m now seriously considering enrolling in the Bachelor of Education – the hours work for my lifestyle and family and I can grow my career in the education sector whilst getting further ‘on the job’ experience with my current employer”. Bianca’s advice for anyone wanting to start studying?  “Speak up and seek the support of your teachers, my Melbourne Polytechnic teachers were incredible. Even though across the course their teaching styles were different, they each brought a valuable piece of their own experience and knowledge to each student”.

Bianca also noted that Studiosity - a feedback resource for students - was invaluable for checking assignments and readability of course work; “the turnaround time on feedback was so fast, every student should use this free resource, it’s amazing!”.

Enrol Today

Melbourne Polytechnic has a range of degrees, diplomas and certificates in the field of Education. Certificate III in School-Based Education Support CHC30221 is a Free TAFE course for eligible students.

Apply now or register for a free information session.