Francine Lepage, Student at Ashton College:
“Growing alongside people reminds that our lives are limitless as long as we dare to dream”

Hello! I’m Francine, a student here at Ashton College in the Education Assistant Diploma Program.

I’m a 34-year-old woman, and I have been interested in various forms of human care throughout my life. I chose to enrol in this program because of my passion for creating meaningful connections with people who tend to be less understood by society. My first introduction to neurodivergence as an area of study began when I was 21. It was an unforgettable and life-changing experience. I have had jobs in various fields; however, my thoughts were completely hooked on that experience.

For articles on a career as an Education Assistant, refer to our Blog.

My experiences so far at Ashton College.

I think my experience at Ashton has been fantastic so far. The philosophies of the whole program really align with my own values. The teachers are knowledgeable and personable. I do not regret one bit having chosen this school. From observations and comments, I have heard from friends who have taken the program elsewhere, Ashton College has one of the best to offer.

The teachers have been amazing, just as the head of the program has. I love that we started the program with a crash course in psychology and a children’s development course because that created a strong foundation for deeper understanding. Learning about specific neurological disorders and picking at our own brains to find solutions to case studies made the program all the better. Everyone has been supportive, friendly, and very informative.

What is there not to love about this program? For many reasons, it stands out above the rest.

Like I mentioned earlier, this Education Assistant Program is very personable, giving it a cozy yet open-minded and eager to learn atmosphere and environment. Everyone is ready to give it their all and support each other through it. Second, the cost and the schedule. I don’t know if I was searching in all the wrong places, but I did not find any other programs that compared to Ashton’s practical schedule at a decent cost. Not only that, the teachers and even the head of the program have powerful values and philosophies regarding this line of work and what they teach us. I think anyone who takes their classes will become an Education Assistant who comes from the heart, and that is very special.

I believe that in the end, working with others who are so unique is a privilege. It’s a privilege to have the honour to go into their world. Growing alongside people reminds me that our lives are limitless for as long as we dare to dream. I think I’ve changed in many ways, but perhaps not only in the ways that one might think. My values and philosophies have been truly reinforced and enriched with continuous reading from our books and listening to our instructors. It has given me confidence, making me become a bit more of a better human. I have always been shy, so having the opportunity to speak up in class has really shown me that sharing my thoughts can be worthwhile.

As of this moment, I am unsure of what I want to pursue, however, I would love to be an Education Assistant for at least the first year after having graduated. Eventually, I would love to further my studies.

For anyone looking at this program, interact with your classmates and the class—including taking notes and asking questions. Online classes can feel long at times… so make it worth your while by giving it your 100% engagement!