Education Support Services (ESS) Team

Each school has an Education Support Services Team (ESST) to assist classroom teachers develop and implement instructional and behaviour management strategies, and to coordinate support resources for students.

If your student has additional educational needs—whether they are medical, mental health, or learning needs—your school’s Education Support Services Team is there to ensure those needs are met. 

To begin the conversation about your child’s additional educational needs, please contact your child’s teacher, resource teacher, school counsellor, or principal. 

Team overview

Principal

Provides leadership to the team.

Resource Teacher

A specialist teacher with experience in learning exceptionalities.

School Counsellor

A teacher who is also a counsellor and has a background in mental health. Learn more about the school counsellor’s role.

Child & Youth Team Member

Each ESST has one member from an Integrated Service Delivery Child & Youth Team (C&Y). This may be a counsellor, social worker, psychologist, or other professional. This person keeps the ESST connected with Addictions & Mental Health services provided by Horizon Health Network. Learn more about C&Y.

Staff with specialization

Additional staff, such as vice-principals, classroom teachers, or teachers with specializations such as literacy, autism, or numeracy may also be part of the team.