Well I'm going to college to be a special education teacher. I want to know if there is anyone out there that is in the field and loves it? I just want to know what there is to look forward too!
Thanks.
2006-11-20 04:14:10 · 7 answers · asked by acoats2006 5 in Education & Reference ➔ Special Education
I am a the teacher of a Special Day Class for kids ages 5 to 7 who are considered "severely handicapped." I LOVE my job. It is sometimes very frustrating and aggravating, always challenging, often very funny, and never ever boring. I have 2 terrific assistants who are a truly essential part of our "team."
It is such a wonderful feeling to see a child who was nonverbal begin to use words, or to hear a child say with pride and amazement, "Listen! I'm reading!" I have a student who has always "related" to others by being aggressive - pushing, pinching, grabbing things away from others, etc. Just this month, he has begun to interact in some appropriate ways - coloring with another kid instead of taking away the crayons and crumpling up the paper, joining in a "follow the leader" game on the playground.... It was so exciting to hear him say, "I got a friend!" and to see that he actually realized that you can enjoy someone's company in a positive way.
We also get to have fun in the classroom. In general education, there is so much emphasis on preparing the kids to get good scores on their achievement tests that there is very little time for music, art, physical education, and games. But in our class, we use all these activities to address the kids' Individual Education Plan goals. So we sing every day, we do art most days, and we are always very active because my kids don't have the attention span to do a "sit in one place" lesson for long. We all laugh daily, and often.
As others have said, the paperwork is a pain, but there are negatives to every job. You generally have a much closer relationship with the families of the special ed kids than you do with general ed kids. That's mostly a good thing, but I have had a few parents over the years who have had some pretty significant issues of their own, and that can be stressful. But usually we get to share with the parents the joy of seeing these beautiful little people learn and grow, and that's great.
All in all, I think I have the best job in the world. I hope you'll love it as much as I do.
2006-11-21 10:28:26 · answer #1 · answered by sonomanona 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Although I am not a special ed teacher, I do LOVE teaching and hope you will too! There is always something to look forward to because each class/year is different. Plus you'll always be learning new approaches and techniques. It is hard work but I can't think of a better job!!!!
2006-11-20 12:18:26 · answer #2 · answered by bandit 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not the teacher in our room. I'm the para but it's a very challenging job. You need alot of patience. I love my job though. I can have the hardest, worse day ever and still leave satisfied that I helped a child.
2006-11-20 18:57:31 · answer #3 · answered by redwidow 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its the best job in the world, you either love it or hate it! every day is different, every child is different, all my friends say i am the only person they know who really loves going to work! i work with autistic children aged 4 - 11 and have a fifteen year old son with downs syndrome
2006-11-21 16:30:47 · answer #4 · answered by nikguenever60 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From what I understand it is a very challenging but rewarding thing to do, GOOD LUCK
THAT MUST MAKE YOU A VERY SPECIAL PERSON
2006-11-20 12:17:31 · answer #5 · answered by BOO! 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I love it! Hate the paperwork, but love the kids. Good luck to you!
2006-11-20 17:45:54 · answer #6 · answered by lolabellaquin 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well...I have some friends who enjoy it.
2006-11-20 12:15:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋