It is my passion to help those who are disable with out going through the long process of university what short course I can do to make a start.Serious answers please thank you.
2006-11-12 03:46:40 · 8 answers · asked by ? 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Special Education
i know that it will be hard work but I want to teach
2006-11-12 03:48:37 · update #1
Experience as a support worker is essential....
Also,if not already, brush up your literacy and numeracy skills to at least Level 3 (Top grade GCSE), as most teaching jobs require this, if not higher.
Experience is vital though, support work in a school, colege, day centre, charity etc etc
good luck,
mrben
2006-11-13 01:55:53 · answer #1 · answered by mrben 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The path I took was: first I got a regular teaching qualification. Then I taught in regular school for 2 -3 years to get experience with different children. Then I did my Diploma of Special Ed part time while I was working and ended up working full time with people with disabilities. Finally I moved from school to working with adults.
It's the most rewarding work there is if you are the right sort of person for it. It can be hard & have its down sides.
Doing some volunteer work in the area could help too and give you an idea of what's invoved.
Where I live TAFE colleges also run 3 year courses in disability support work. That only prepares you for work with adults. In that area some of the workskills training places also do short courses. For them you need to be unemployed and go into the course through Centerlink.
2006-11-12 11:20:12 · answer #2 · answered by Maryrose 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will NOT be able to work with children with disabilities in the schools without some college education. PERIOD. In my home state you need a minimum of 60 hours of college (any subject) to be considered for a teacher's aide position in the schools. If you have that, then you can apply to become an aide in special education classes.
I know it sounds very noble to enter the field of special education. I worked in the field as an aide while I completed my teaching degree and will tell you that the burnout rate is very high and the stress can overwhelm a person. If you don't have any experience working with children with disabilities I recommend speaking at length with those who do. You may be the ideal candidate or you may run screaming. It's not for the faint of heart.
2006-11-12 05:58:15 · answer #3 · answered by DB Cash 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a teacher who works with pupils with special educational needs and have 10 years experience. There is no "shortcut".
I spent 4 years training to be a teacher. After graduating and working in the classroom I found I had the apptitude to work with certain pupils and followed that route.
You have to look clearly and honestly at your motives. Do you want to teach? Or do you only want to teach pupils with "disabilities"? If so, why? What does the word disability mean to you any way? If you are looking to "save" people I'd think again.
Before you do anything read On Teaching by Herbert Kohl (Schoken,1976)
You can buy it online here
http://www.alibris.com/search/search.cfm?qwork=4838776&wauth=Kohl%2C%20Herbert%20R&wtit=on%20teaching&matches=56&qsort=r&cm_re=works*listing*title
After that if you still seriously think you have something to offer then go to your local careers advice/job centre or college and enquire about courses. If you don't want to teach you could ask what other routes you could consider.
2006-11-12 04:19:27 · answer #4 · answered by kittyfreek 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I began my career by starting as a paraprofessional in a high school self-contained classroom. I was already taking classes at the community college. I found out that my district had a cohort program in place with a wonderful university that was designed for school board employees who wanted to earn their BA or BS degree in special education. This is of course due to a major shortage in this teaching area. Once I finished my AA degree, I enrolled in the Cohort program, dedicated 2 and a half years to my course work at the university while still working part-time at the school. All my hard work paid off, as 7 years later I'm still working at the same high school and loving every moment of it!!!
Seems strange that I was once the rookie, and am now the semi-expert! LOL!!
Advice: Check and talk with local schools, and colleges. Also, check into various services within your area offered to people with disabilities. Best of luck to you. : )
2006-11-12 07:57:07 · answer #5 · answered by calla 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Special education is a pretty broad category. Do you have any particular field of Special Educaiton that you are interested in? At minimum to become a teacher, it requires a Bachelor's Degree to get licensed to become a Special Education teacher. Most colleges and universities offer specialty areas within the field. If you are not sure which area of Special Education at this point for specialization, I recommend volunteering in the schools in a variety of Special Education classrooms. Good luck!
2006-11-12 03:59:56 · answer #6 · answered by dawncs 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to teach there is no short cut as you need to be properly prepared for such important work. To teach special needs requires even more training than being just a teacher.
You could try for classroom assistant and take it from there but I am sure that you will need to be up to at least A level standard for that.
Best of luck if you really want to do it.
2006-11-12 03:53:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will need to attend college to become a special education teacher. I would say to see if you work in your school district as a assistant. Take a few courses in college each semester to become a special education teacher. It will take longer but don't give up because if you want it, it will happen.
2006-11-12 07:19:56 · answer #8 · answered by Charlotte H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋