what is it like being a special education teacher?

Antonia Mogg: I'm an assistant teacher in a special education classroom and let me tell you, working in the room I'm in has it's good moments and bad. I've worked in this room for six years, and when it started out, I only worked with severely disabled children [wheelchairs, didn't talk, diapers... we taught them basic needs, like how to feed themselves, some how to walk, etc.] and it was a self contained class. Now, we have ten children, with ten very different needs. We have some that are higher functioning but not on their age level, and then we have some with very low abilities [don't walk or talk, diapers, about on the level of a baby or 1-4 year old level]. One of the kids that is high functioning, resources out into a 1st grade classroom. Our kids have special classes [music, art, theater, PE, movement] with regular kindergarten classes so they are getting the socialization skills with regular kids. The point I'm trying to make is, that you might end up with severe! ly disabled children. I was scared when I found out I'd be working with severely disabled children, but it has taught me so much. I'm more patient with them, and with others, and I realize that I should be grateful for the simple things that I can do that they can't. These kids are some of the happiest kids I've ever known, and I love [almost] every minute of it. It can be really hard too though, and sometimes I just want to give up, but I think back to the things I've taught them or helped to teach them, and I could never quit. Maybe you should spend some time volunteering in different special needs classes, to see how things are with these kids, and maybe that will give you an idea of what you may have to work with one day. Good luck, and let us know how things go. ...Show more

Mildred Pombo: what kind of disabled students u talking about...the ones who are not able to walk,etc.. or the ones who have learning problems due to add, adhd, etc..?if ur a special ed teach! er then all ur students will have problems with something. u h! ave to be patient and remember every one in that class room has their own learning speed and u cant make them learn faster then they are able to....Show more

Hyo Hardell: I am a special education teacher. I just started my 7th year of teaching. Each year I have had students of varying disabilities. One year, I had nine students with nine different disabilities. I loved every minute of it. At times, it can be trying but the rewards make it worth it.When I was considering being a special education teacher, I contacted a local school and observed two special education classes. There are also different programs within special education. My teaching license is for mild to moderate disabilites. I am not certified to teach students with severe and profound needs. Also there are two age groups, primary and secondary. I hope this helps! ...Show more

Shaunta Paap: There are many different types of special education teachers. In the district I work in there a! re positions for children in wheel chairs, little control over the body, (including diapers) these children are the ones that communicate by blinking or hand movement. WHen i interviewed for a teaching position in this district, I told them up front this is not for me.Then there are the self contained children with down syndrome or mild retardation.(possibly traumatic brain injury)There is a separate class for children with autism.There is a resource room, where the children have learning disabilities that are roughly three-four years behind same aged peers.Finally there are the special education teachers that get to go into the mainstream classroom and co-teach or buddy teach with the regular education teachers, and make modifications and accomodations within the regular education environment.In most states you get certified in the area of general education, and you are allowed to work in any (and other) types of classrooms. You just have to find the one that is best for! you, and if you know that the severe kids are not what you want to wor! k with, then be up front about it in interviews. However, I would job shadow before making any decisions.I have been in special education for 9 years and 6 in regular ed. I have been a resource teacher, (no grades, just support but students were pulled into my room), a middle school resource teacher (multi-subject and grade levels at the same time), and currently a co-teacher. (no grades, but definitely hard on the feet and back, as i travel from room to room and subject to subject)I love being a sped teacher, my days are never the same and it is very rewarding. I am able to get to know my students better than any other teacher in the building because i get to see them in all different types of subjects and environments. THe paperwork is the worst part. It is a constant, but that is in every classroom, because parents are "sue" happy so you have to document everything you do. If you have any specific questions you want to ask you can email me at alilmissbehavior. ..! .Show more

Judie Kise: I have a special ed child but he is not severely disabled. In my experience, I would say that if you get the certification, you may not have a choice of which students you'll work with. At the schools my son has attended, the special ed teacher handles any and all special ed students, regardless of their abilities (let's focus on the positive in all children). I would also say that Special Education is aimed at those students with developmental/mental disabilities rather than "normal" kids who are just "struggling" (there are tutors and counselors for them). And it would also depend on how many severely disabled kids there are at the particular school where you'll work. So, in sum, I'd steer you away if you don't think you can handle that segment of the student population. The last thing a mother of a disabled child wants is a teacher who doesn't really want to work with her child....Show more

Chadwick Schmelz: This Site Might Help You! .RE:what is it like being a special education teacher?I am interested i! n getting my special ed certification to help struggling students, however, I don't know if I can handle severely disabled students. Does most work as a special education teacher deal with the severely disabled?...Show more

Peter Lapoint: Being A Special Education Teacher

Weldon Totaro: There are a variety of special education settings and placement options. They all need teachers. I work in a program called CTE, Center for Theraputic Education. Our students are severely emotionally disturbed. Their issues have interfered with their education and learning. We do remedial work, counseling, role playing. It's an extremly rewarding and challenging position. I could not work with children who are severely disabled and requiring medical interventions, feeding tubes, etc.. It's not for me. The people who work in those classes probably could not handle being in my class with the SED kids. My daughter is in a classroom that is mixed grade 5-6 mixed disability roo! m. One boy has CP, several have autism, some have severe learning disabilities. My son goes to resource, another version of special education where there is small group instruction of children usually pulled from mainstream classrooms You do not have to accept a position that you're not comfortable with, and there is a big need for dedicated special education teachers, as well as special education substitutes. Good luck...Show more