Spit, punches and bites: School support staff detail rising violence from students
CTV
A former educational assistant is calling attention to the rising violence in Alberta's classrooms.
A former educational assistant is calling attention to the rising violence in Alberta's classrooms.
Mandy Lamoureux is the president of Cupe 3550, a union representing around 3,000 educational support staff from the Edmonton Public School Board (EPSB).
At the most recent Cupe 3550 board meeting, Lamoureux donned the full personal protective equipment (PPE) she needed when she worked with students with complex needs.
"I would have to wear these arm guards to protect my skin from punctures when bit," she said. "I would also put on some gloves to protect my hands from bodily fluids, and I would wear a surgical gown to protect my clothes, because he would sometimes smear bodily fluids onto me.
"And I would wear a face shield to protect my face from spit or punches, scratches or him trying to grab at my face."
Lamoureux said the union gets calls daily from educational assistants (EAs) wanting better protection at work.
In 2023, the United Conservative Party created the classroom complexity grant, with $126 million over three years for public and private schools to support students with cognitive, social and emotional needs.
