Goal Reflections and Evidence

Goal Reflections and Evidence 

My Goal: Be Prepared, Flexible, and Positive 

One of the goals I set for myself as an Educational Assistant was to arrive at school early enough to prepare for the day, understand what was coming, and make sure I had the tools and activities I might need to support my students. I learned very quickly that no two days are exactly the same. Students' needs can change, schedules can change, and unexpected situations can happen, so I wanted to be prepared without becoming too rigid. 

I started thinking of my EA supplies almost like Batman's utility belt. I wanted to have different tools available depending on the students I was supporting. I would make sure I had things such as Play-Doh, fidgets, and other small activities that could help engage a student or provide an appropriate distraction or regulation activity when needed. 

One of the most useful tools I developed was a lanyard with simple pictures. Depending on the students I was working with that day, I could change the pictures. The pictures could represent things such as carpet time, trampoline, washroom, and stop. For students who had difficulty communicating verbally or understanding what was happening next, these simple visual reminders could help make the routine more predictable. 

Another important goal I set for myself was to stay positive. I learned that when a situation became challenging, I needed to bring it back to something positive. Sometimes that meant taking a step back, changing the approach, or finding something the student could successfully accomplish. My mindset became: stay positive, find the positive, and build from there. 

I also learned to prepare the bins and activities ahead of time so that once the expectations for a particular time period were met, the next activity was ready. This helped create structure and reduce unnecessary waiting. 

Looking back, I believe I achieved this goal because I became much more prepared and confident in my ability to adapt. I learned that being prepared does not mean knowing exactly what will happen. It means having enough tools, strategies, and flexibility to respond when things change. 

Evidence of My Goal 

• Arriving early to prepare for the school day  

• Preparing bins and Independent Task System activities  

• Creating and adapting visual supports on my lanyard  

• Using Play-Doh, fidgets, and other regulation tools  

• Using sensory activities and structured routines  

• Adapting activities to individual students  

• Working with teachers, SERTs, and other EAs to prepare for the day  

• Using positive reinforcement and redirecting students toward successful activities  

SMART Goal: 
I will arrive early and prepare the materials, visual supports, and activities needed for the students I am supporting each day, while maintaining a positive and flexible approach when routines or student needs change.