Becoming a teacher with a disability?

Question

I am currently going to school to receive my degree in elementary education. So far I am a straight A student and received wonderful marks on my Praxis exam. I also happen to have rheumatoid arthritis, which sometimes renders me to a wheelchair. My wish is to teach anywhere from 4th to 8th graders. How will this effect my ability to get employed?

Thanks to all so far. I am not permanently wheelchair bound. It is just that some days are harder than others.

Answer 1

I too am wheelchair bound but unlike yourself its permanent for me. I used to work for daycare / after school child care and the main concerns with the teacher being in a wheelchair they made to me was how could I control the kids from not letting them run wild which to be honest wasn't easy since not many kids are familiar with wheelchairs and why people need to use them but once some learned what I can and can't do they tried to take advantage even at ages 5-10yrs old. I know you want to teach grades higher then what I did which should make it easier on you because the children will hopefully be more mature and pay attention. But it is something to think about before you go on your interviews how can I control the kids lets say in an emergency or some get in a fight can I break it up without someone getting hurt. some schools might try and do tag team teaching in your case in which you have another teacher in the same room. I had a class in grade school where the actual teacher had medical problems and we had a teachers assistant also in the room which mainly handed out papers and helped in problem areas so they may want to try this with you. Good luck

Answer 2

Just be honest from the start... and aim for the younger age group, say 4th and 5th grade, 6th if the district that hires you has them housed with younger students.

Middle schoolers? They stalk anything they view as a weakness and I wouldn't suggest starting off there until you're more certain of your classroom management techniques once you've gained some experience beyond practicum work.

My daughter has a Science Lab teacher who has MS and while he started his teaching career walking, gradually spent more and more time using a wheelchair for mobility until now he's just using it all the time. It was helpful, I think, that the students saw him out of the chair first... and he'd already garnered their respect as a figure of authority before he was using the chair. It sounds like you'd have the same situation as you only use a chair sometimes... so they'd always have in the back of their mind what you'd do to them for taking advantage once you're a bit more mobile again :)

He's one of the favorite teachers at the school, by the way... well loved for his sense of humor, even about his use of the chair. "Comin' through... make way.... Mad Scientist on Wheels comin' through...." as he navigates the busy hallways. "Yikes - took out the trash can again...." as he bumps into the metal wastebasket near his desk. "Mr. Middleton... if you could pull the map down please... thank you... my legs are not so tall today..." and a smile.

Younger kids are more accepting of everything anyway... and not yet so wrapped up in their own teen year angst and hormones that they have forgotten how to be human.

The law should protect you from not being able to get a job... unless there is a specific phrase in the job description that says how much you should be able to lift or bend or other physical duties. If the phrase is there, it can be waived for a person with documented disabilities if their file is tagged ADA because they're hired through the public school system (which is, by law, EOE - Equal Opportunity Employer - government and all.)

Practice how you will present this information during interview. Present it near the very end, after you've already sold them on your abilities and gift for teaching.

"In an effort to be honest and disclose everything that might impact the decisionmaking process for both of us, I should mention that I do have rheumatoid arthritis... and while it has never limited my ability to attend school or work or teach, there are times that I may need to use a wheelchair for mobility while in school. I'm assuming your schools are all wheelchair accessible....?"

My best to you. Teachers of quality should be valued for what they bring to a classroom... not how they arrive there :)

Answer 3

If you are discriminated against due to a physical handicap - that is definitely against the law. The real trick would be to PROVE this is the reason you were not hired. School districts are well versed in the art of "CYA" or (cover your you know what). If you are comfortable not being completely upfront about your illness - I would advise going that route. Health rarely comes up in a teaching interview. Once you get the job you can broach the subject of your illness. I do know many teachers who have illnesses and disabilities and are wonderful and effective teachers. You just have to navigate the hiring process carefully. I wish you the best of luck! We need good teachers.

Answer 4

The only way this will effect your teaching, is some schools still do not have wheel chair ramps, bathrooms fitted for wheelchairs.
You sound like you would be a great teacher. Good Luck

Answer 5

I think you should change the grade level that you are working towards. Children are most cruel at the 4th thru 8th level. I would think you should be thinking of the Primary Levels.

Answer 6

you can not be discriminated. I just recently read an article about a blind woman who became an elementary school teacher for regular education setting. (awesome) so anything is pos.

Answer 7

It should not affect your ability to get a job. Classroom management may be difficult for you, with young kids.

Answer 8

It shouldn't their are laws agianst this. But you never know

Answer 9

NO MATTER WHAT , YOU ARE STILL ENTITLED TO MAKE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE BY BEING A TEACHER.