2 answers
Asked
645 views
How did you know that you wanted to be a special education teacher?
I am an 8th grader and I am doing research on different jobs that I might be interested in. #teacher
Login to comment
2 answers
Updated
Lyndsay’s Answer
I went to school to become a special education teacher, however, once in school I realized I was just not the right person to teach special education. Instead, I chose to become an elementary school teacher. The switch in studies was very easy. Changing career choices didn't harm my studies, I didn't take any extra classes, etc. If you think you would enjoy being a special education teacher, I highly recommend pursuing that route. Special education is very scary for a lot of people, including teachers like myself. Special education teachers are highly regarded and it's hard to find great special education teachers. If you can be the light for these special students, please do it.
Updated
Bruce’s Answer
Hi Piarra - My wife was a special education teacher for many years and really enjoyed it. She has also been a classroom teacher.
She is very good at recognizing and understanding a person's stronger and weaker capabilities.
She would usually work with a team of maybe a speech specialist, a classroom teacher, a psychologist, principal, or other specialists to talk about the needs of individual students - a few times each year - and determine a plan for what special instruction and help they think that student needs. The plan is called an IEP - Instructional Education Plan.
Sometimes a student needs a service which that school or district cannot provide, so the student has to go to a different school part time or full time.
Some special ed teachers will have their own room and bring students into it. Others will go into the classrooms where the special ed students are "immersed" in a standard class of their grade level.
Both my kids like Lyndsay went to college declared with one major, but after a term or two at college, changed to a different major. That is not unusual and makes it easier to say what you want to study knowing you can change your mind (the sooner, the better though).
Hope that helps. Good luck!
She is very good at recognizing and understanding a person's stronger and weaker capabilities.
She would usually work with a team of maybe a speech specialist, a classroom teacher, a psychologist, principal, or other specialists to talk about the needs of individual students - a few times each year - and determine a plan for what special instruction and help they think that student needs. The plan is called an IEP - Instructional Education Plan.
Sometimes a student needs a service which that school or district cannot provide, so the student has to go to a different school part time or full time.
Some special ed teachers will have their own room and bring students into it. Others will go into the classrooms where the special ed students are "immersed" in a standard class of their grade level.
Both my kids like Lyndsay went to college declared with one major, but after a term or two at college, changed to a different major. That is not unusual and makes it easier to say what you want to study knowing you can change your mind (the sooner, the better though).
Hope that helps. Good luck!