4 answers
Bri
Student
Carson City, Nevada
1
Question
Updated
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What education do you need/ what is helpful for a career in special education?
I’m currently a peer tutor for special ed.
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4 answers
Kaitlin Morales
Special Education Teacher
3
Answers
Greenwood, South Carolina
Updated
Kaitlin’s Answer
Hey!
I work as a Special Education teacher and this is what I did and it helped me a lot! While I was in high school I took the early childhood classes at my school district's career center. My teacher knew I was interested in special education so when she did my placements she tried to get me into the classrooms that had children with special needs or a special education classroom. I also used my free hours to work with the special education class in my high school. That helped me a lot while I was in school on top of some volunteer work I did. Once I graduated I went right into the field as a paraprofessional in a special education classroom while I did online classes in special education. Once I graduated with my BS in SPED I had a lot of helpful tools to take with me to my classroom!
I work as a Special Education teacher and this is what I did and it helped me a lot! While I was in high school I took the early childhood classes at my school district's career center. My teacher knew I was interested in special education so when she did my placements she tried to get me into the classrooms that had children with special needs or a special education classroom. I also used my free hours to work with the special education class in my high school. That helped me a lot while I was in school on top of some volunteer work I did. Once I graduated I went right into the field as a paraprofessional in a special education classroom while I did online classes in special education. Once I graduated with my BS in SPED I had a lot of helpful tools to take with me to my classroom!
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
3844
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hey there, Bri!
Let's chat about the Education and Skills needed for a Special Education Career
If you're considering a career in special education, there are some key educational qualifications and skills that can enhance your journey. The basic requirement is usually a bachelor's degree in special education or a related field. To work in public schools, you'll also need a teaching license or certification. Some states even require special education teachers to earn a master's degree after getting their teaching certification.
When it comes to skills, patience, empathy, and top-notch communication skills are vital when working with students who have special needs. Special education teachers also need to be well-organized to manage individualized education plans (IEPs) for each student and monitor their progress. Plus, it's important to be a team player and work well with other professionals like speech therapists, occupational therapists, and school counselors, to provide all-around support to students with special needs.
To get a real feel for the job, consider gaining experience through volunteer work or internships in special education settings. This can give you practical skills and valuable insights. Also, make sure to keep learning and stay up-to-date with the latest teaching techniques and interventions for students with disabilities. This is key for your professional growth in this field.
Since you're already a peer tutor for special education, your hands-on experience and understanding of the unique challenges and rewards of working with students with diverse learning needs will be a great asset as you think about a career in special education.
Image: Education
Here are the Top 3 Authoritative References I used to answer your question:
1. National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) - They provide resources, articles, and information on the best practices in special education.
2. Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) - CEC offers opportunities for professional development, publications, and research on special education.
3. U.S. Department of Education - Their website has information on educational requirements and resources for aspiring special education teachers.
I used these sources to gather detailed and authoritative information on the educational requirements and skills needed for a career in special education.
May you be blessed abundantly!
James Constantine.
Let's chat about the Education and Skills needed for a Special Education Career
If you're considering a career in special education, there are some key educational qualifications and skills that can enhance your journey. The basic requirement is usually a bachelor's degree in special education or a related field. To work in public schools, you'll also need a teaching license or certification. Some states even require special education teachers to earn a master's degree after getting their teaching certification.
When it comes to skills, patience, empathy, and top-notch communication skills are vital when working with students who have special needs. Special education teachers also need to be well-organized to manage individualized education plans (IEPs) for each student and monitor their progress. Plus, it's important to be a team player and work well with other professionals like speech therapists, occupational therapists, and school counselors, to provide all-around support to students with special needs.
To get a real feel for the job, consider gaining experience through volunteer work or internships in special education settings. This can give you practical skills and valuable insights. Also, make sure to keep learning and stay up-to-date with the latest teaching techniques and interventions for students with disabilities. This is key for your professional growth in this field.
Since you're already a peer tutor for special education, your hands-on experience and understanding of the unique challenges and rewards of working with students with diverse learning needs will be a great asset as you think about a career in special education.
Image: Education
Here are the Top 3 Authoritative References I used to answer your question:
1. National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) - They provide resources, articles, and information on the best practices in special education.
2. Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) - CEC offers opportunities for professional development, publications, and research on special education.
3. U.S. Department of Education - Their website has information on educational requirements and resources for aspiring special education teachers.
I used these sources to gather detailed and authoritative information on the educational requirements and skills needed for a career in special education.
May you be blessed abundantly!
James Constantine.
Martha Kramer
Corporate Training, Communications
202
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Martha’s Answer
Hi Bri - I commend your interest in this field. Alise has given you great advice about gaining experience in Special Ed. I wanted to add a little more about college and licensing. States determine their own requirements and list them on their websites. Here is the link for Nevada - https://www.specialeducationguide.com/teacher-certification/nevada/. You can access information about other states from the same site.
The few websites I checked seemed to recommend majoring in education in college, but there are other certification routes if you end up majoring in something else. Public school systems typically require certification, which entails passing a standardized test. Some private schools also require certification, but not all.
The websites of college/university education departments also had information so I encourage you to check the websites of schools you are interested in.
Good luck!
The few websites I checked seemed to recommend majoring in education in college, but there are other certification routes if you end up majoring in something else. Public school systems typically require certification, which entails passing a standardized test. Some private schools also require certification, but not all.
The websites of college/university education departments also had information so I encourage you to check the websites of schools you are interested in.
Good luck!
Alise McNeill
Communications Leader
5
Answers
Durham, North Carolina
Updated
Alise’s Answer
My daughter majored in Special Ed in college. If you are in high school, I would recommend on focusing on things like, ELA (language arts), math and science, so you have a good baseline. In high school, my daughter was a teacher's assistant in the special ed class of her high school for one of her electives. She also participated in local Special Olympics events, which helped her understand the different aspects of special needs. Special Olympics is a really fulfilling way to work with the special needs community before you go to college. I hope this is helpful!