Welcome to Learning Support in WAB’s Elementary School. We practice a collaborative and inclusive community model, and our priority is to ensure all children feel they belong and are valuable members of our community. We have support services teachers, including learning support teachers, as a part of each grade level. Planning is a collaborative process within the community of teachers. We are always working directly with the students to identify their strengths and needs for learning.

Learning Support teachers work in collaboration with teachers and with families. Support teachers are part of each grade-level community. They work in a co-teaching model and are well-known by all students in the grade level. We operate in a collaborative model to consult and provide direct services through:

• flexible groupings,
• accommodations within the learning spaces and engagements,
• targeted groupings for students that need specific approaches or modifications to curriculum,
• and co-teaching in the community and classrooms.

Most support services we provide students are done so within the learning community and regular classes rather than pulling students out of classes and separating them from planned learning activities or groups.  Our multi-tiered systems of support are flexible to meet the individual needs of each student, allowing us to offer a wide range of tailored programming.  
Student support is based on data gathered through:

• classroom observations;
• curriculum-based assessments for reading, writing, and math;
• assessments used with parent/guardian permissions;
• internal and/or external evaluation information provided by or approved by families.

We develop Student Support Profiles, outlining a student's strengths, goals, approaches, and accommodations, to ensure all teachers working with a given student are aware of what works best for them. Individual Education Plans (IEPs) are developed with families for students that qualify through evaluations and/or diagnosis.

• Areas of Learning Support include:
• Thinking and Learning
• Attention and Listening
• Curriculum Modification
• Information Processing
• Language and literacy development
• Sensory, Gross and Fine Motor skill development
• Executive Functioning
• Emotional and Behavioral Self – Regulation
• Social Skill development and Group Participation
   

At WAB Middle School we provide an inclusive network of support to cater to students with diverse learning profiles. The Learning Support Department works collaboratively with students, parents, teachers, mentors, English as an Additional Language (EAL), and Counseling to provide appropriate and tailored support for all students.​ 

The support is offered across all subject areas and is focused on developing student skills in the domains of:​

• thinking and learning ​
• information processing ​ 
• curriculum modification ​ 
• and executive functioning ​ 

The learning support is based on student individual needs and is delivered in a variety of settings:​ 

• In-class support – accommodations and support strategies are provided in mainstream classrooms in collaboration with subject teachers​ 
• Pull-out support – small group individualized support offered by Learning Support teacher during languages block​ 
• Academic Coaching ASA (After School Activity) – after-school small group support program led by Learning Support teacher​ 
• Day 9 support - targeted support and intervention workshops ​ 

Referral to the Learning Support program considers feedback and observations from parents and teachers, as well as the internal and external assessments.​ 

The Learning Support team focuses on student learning to develop personalized Student Profile or Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals. Student progress is monitored, evaluated, and reported throughout the school year.​ 

​ For a few students in WAB's Enriched Inclusion programming, students can experience highly inclusive, individually supported and tailored programming to suit their academic, social, and emotional requirements.​ 

Grades 9 and 10​ Learning Support (LS) teachers are usually seen helping students in various classes, however we also: ​ 

• help teachers plan and teach classes
• meet with students outside of classes to assist them, 
•  meet with parents to keep them up to date on their children’s progress 
• advocate for students to help them navigate their courses with appropriate accommodation 
• review students recommended for possible learning support intervention or for removal from the learning support program ​ 
• teach special Grades 9 and 10 classes for students on the learning support register

Grade 11 and 12 students are assigned a required check-in time with their Learning Support teacher during one of their available free blocks. This is an opportunity for the student to:​ 

• meet with their Learning Support teacher to go over classes, ​ 
• prioritize upcoming work, ​ 
• prepare for any upcoming assessments. ​ 

These check-in times are also used to work on different executive function skills, such as time management (long-term planning), prioritizing work, organization, and self-advocacy.​