The Guide Beside
Empower your Education Support Staff so they feel confident supporting children effectively in the classroom
A self-paced course for Education Support Staff that goes past the essential training. The Guide Beside
emphasises a trauma-informed, neuro-affirming, connection based approach to supporting children.
It's time that ALL Education Support Staff get the training they need to feel confident and empowered
when supporting the children in their care.
Imagine a classroom where every child feels understood, supported, and
empowered.
Over the course of the program, Education Support Staff will develop their knowledge, gain a toolkit of practical strategies and mindset tools to effectively engage and support the students in their care.
INCLUSIVE UNDERSTANDING
Our course promotes an understanding of a neuroaffirming approach.
TRAUMA-INFORMED
We adopt a trauma-informed lens to better support children's unique needs.
BEHAVIOURAL EXPERTISE
Gain knowledge around behaviour to effectively help meet children's needs in the classroom.
Here's what other Education Support Staff have to say about The Guide Beside
How The Guide Beside course benefits you & your school
ENHANCED STUDENT
SUPPORT
ESS equipped with a trauma-informed approach and connection-based strategies can provide more effective support to students, this leads to improved student well-being and academic outcomes.
IMPROVED CLASSROOM DYNAMICS
With a focus on connection over compliance, ESS learn to foster positive relationships with students, creating a more inclusive and supportive classroom environment. This shift away from traditional reward-and-punishment methods promotes a culture of respect and understanding.
INCREASED EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
Through modules emphasising beliefs, values, and mindset, ESS develop a deeper understanding of their own perspectives and behaviours. This self-awareness enhances their emotional intelligence, enabling them to better regulate emotions and empathise with students and colleagues.
EFFECTIVE COLLABORATION &
COMMUNICATION
The course emphasises effective communication and teamwork, enabling ESS to collaborate more seamlessly with teachers, staff, parents, and allied health professionals. This enhances the overall coordination of support services and ensures that students receive comprehensive care both in and out of the classroom.
TAILORED SUPPORT FOR NEURODIVERGENT LEARNERS
By understanding neurodiversity, ESS gain insights into the unique needs of neurodivergent students. Armed with practical strategies, they can adapt classroom environments and activities to better accommodate individual learning preferences, leading to greater student engagement and success.
PROFESSIONAL GROWTH &
JOB SATISFACTION
Through modules addressing personal and professional development, ESS are empowered to define their roles, overcome challenges, and pursue growth opportunities within their positions. This investment in their professional development fosters job satisfaction and retention, ultimately benefiting both the individual and the school community.
What Education Support Staff will learn in this course...
BELIEFS, VALUES & MINDSET
Explore personal beliefs and values on behaviour
Unpack behaviour as a form of communication using a trauma-informed lens
Understand the important of a growth mindset and a strengths based approach in the classroom.
TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICE
REGULATION & DYSREGULATION
How to identify dysregulation and what to do to support students with regulation.
What is co-regulation
Meeting children’s needs and understanding how to meet these in the classroom
The Polyvagal Theory - Why understanding the nervous system is important
Creating safe spaces and establishing safety and trust
CONNECTION OVER COMPLIANCE
Moving beyond rewards and punishments and understanding the ineffectiveness of it, and what to do instead
What choice and autonomy looks like in a practical sense.
Building relationships and connecting through understand, attachment and play.
SUPPORTING NEURODIVERGENT LEARNERS
Understanding neurodiversity and embracing diverse learners
Sensory processing and strategies for sensory seeking and overload
Strategies for the classroom for adjustments and acccommodations
YOUR ROLE AS EDUCATION SUPPORT STAFF
Defining your role as ESS and understanding your roles and responsibilities.
The common challenges and expectations as Education Support Staff and how to address common hurdles in your role.
Strategies for personal and professional growth to thrive in your position in schools.
COMMUNICATION & TEAMWORK
Engaging effectively with teachers and staff
Building supportive partnerships and collaborating with parents.
Understand collaboration opportunities with Allied Health professionals.
NEURODIVERGENCE & NEURO-AFFIRMING PRACTICE - DELIVERED BY AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Neurodivergence from a Lived Experience Perspective
Practical tips for Neuro-Affirming practice language use
Seeking external support from Allied Health professionals
The Guide Beside is for you if you are in an ESS role and you're ready to feel confident and empowered when supporting the children in your care
The Guide Beside
$350 AUD
SELF PACED COURSE
Immediate life-time access to 6 core modules
Bonus masterclass from a neuroaffirming OT
If you are a school that is interested in registering multiple education support staff, please email [email protected] for more information.
Discounts available for 3+ participants from the same school.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this course for?
This course is designed for both Primary and Secondary ESS (Integration Aides/Teacher Aides/SLSO’s) who are looking to increase their knowledge around behaviour, supporting neurodivergent children and adopting a trauma-informed approach.
What will I learn from this course?
You will learn
- More about yourself and why you may show up the way you do when supporting children.
- How to better understand and support ALL of the children in your care with a focus on trauma impacted and neurodivergent children
- How to work well in a team environment
- How to support children with their behaviour and their emotions.
What is the time investment required?
Throughout the course, participants will be required to...
Listen and/or watch 6 modules - Each module contains 3 or 4 10-15 minute videos along with a workbook to assist implementation.
Spend time every week on implementation and reflective practice - The success of any program or course is dependent on the participant taking action. Knowledge is useless unless we apply it.
Have an open mind, ready to learn and understand new things - Often when we learn new things we can feel uncomfortable. Change is inevitable, growth is optional. When we see change as an opportunity for new learning and possibilities only then can we feel excited about the future!
I am a school that wants multiple ESS to participate
There are discounts available for 3+ participants from the same school. Please email me at [email protected] to enquire.
ABOUT THE FOUNDER
Emma Gentle
Em brings forth 14 years of extensive experience in Education, encompassing diverse roles and experiences. Em started her journey as an SLSO, spending 3 years supporting neurodivergent children in the classroom whilst studying a Bachelor of Education. From lower to upper primary classrooms, Em has navigated various educational landscapes, culminating in her recent tenure as an Assistant Principal. In this role, she honed her expertise in mentoring new teachers and expertly oversaw school wide learning support and wellbeing initiatives.
Driven by a profound mission, Em is dedicated to helping create a new generation of emotionally intelligent educators and leaders committed to changing schools from the inside out. Em firmly believes in prioritising the holistic development of every child and adult. Consequently, she passionately supports and guides teachers and leaders, empowering them to craft classroom and school cultures that prioritise inclusivity, connection and wellbeing, valuing these above all else.
ABOUT THE FOUNDER
Emma Gentle
Em brings forth 14 years of extensive experience in Education, encompassing diverse roles and experiences. Em started her journey as an SLSO, spending 3 years supporting neurodivergent children in the classroom whilst studying a Bachelor of Education. From lower to upper primary classrooms, Em has navigated various educational landscapes, culminating in her recent tenure as an Assistant Principal. In this role, she honed her expertise in mentoring new teachers and expertly oversaw school wide learning support and wellbeing initiatives.
Driven by a profound mission, Em is dedicated to helping create a new generation of emotionally intelligent educators and leaders committed to changing schools from the inside out. Em firmly believes in prioritising the holistic development of every child and adult. Consequently, she passionately supports and guides teachers and leaders, empowering them to craft classroom and school cultures that prioritise inclusivity, connection and wellbeing, valuing these above all else.
