Special Education teacher- I'm thinking of becoming one. What should I consider before making this decision?

Question

I am an older person thinking about a career change. I have a degree my state has special programs to help people with other degrees become educated as teachers. Are there any teachers out there with some insights? What are the considerations, special challanges, advantages and disadvantages of going into special education and working with those with developmental disabilities? Thanks much.

Answer 1

I work with special ed. teachers. I think God has a special place in Heaven for them!!! They have tons of patience and are very organized and detail-oriented. You need to be able to break down tasks into simpler steps. Your "radar" needs to be on to detect what is going on to prevent the student from learning. Many students getting services are frustrated to no end, because things come so much easier for their peers. They have to work ten times as hard as their peers to overcome whatever disability they have. Some students will never be able to succeed in a regular classroom and get life skills training so that they can have some kind of skills to be able to work at a job (like learning how to work a copier, stuff envelopes,or sort mail).
There is tons of work for special ed. teachers around March, because they are getting ready for the next year, determining where the student is and what the student needs to succeed. They also help decide whether the student needs services. You don't want the student to have too much or too little.

Answer 2

Okay, you have a lot of answers but since I think I may have traveled your path. Let me share my experience. I left the corporate world after 17 years at the age of 43 and became a special education teacher and I would do it again in a heart beat. There are special qualities needed by all teacher and very special rewards but to say you need this or that doesn't mean it will be a good fit for you.

When I started down this road, 7 years ago, I spent the first year as a substitute. In California if you have a degree and pass the CBEST you can get a substitute credential. This allows you to sub in any type of classroom and I did. After a week in Kindergarden I knew I could never handle that and although I liked the regular education classrooms that I taught in the kids that were in the special education classes really touched my heart. I was a sub the first time I stepped between two aggressive adolescence in a classroom and also the first time I realized this child couldn't read because they didn't know the sounds of the language. You know you have the knack when the regular teacher wants to request you if they are going to be out. My school district hired me the next year through an Intern program and I had my own classroom. I now have my Master's in Special Education and plan on teaching into my 60's.

Unfortunately there are many things to consider in addition to if you want to do this and if you will be good at it. Some I didn't know about when I started and would have been nice to know. For one if you do substitute don't choose social security over the teachers retirement plan till you've looked at the ramifications. It can dramatically effect your potential SS payments in retirement. Second at least in California, you will loose even more of you SS, if there is any when you finally do retire, since our pension offsets SS. And finally be clear about how much education is involved. California has a level I and level II Special educator credential so there is a lot more involved then what I thought at first. And finally tap into all the supports that are available, teachers are on their own and you don't realize how much till you are there. Teachers associations across all the states offer additional training in classroom management, difficult behaviors and tricks and tips for the classroom, use all the resources you can find.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

You need ALOT of patience and understanding. Depending on whether you are going into a regular special education position or special education of children with autism and other disabilities you may need special training. College teaches you nothing to prepare you for this position. I work with children who have various disabilities and disorders. It's highly stressful but very rewarding. No amount of education prepares you. I have a child with autism so I had skills from my own life to apply to my position. Go observe classrooms and see if this is really where you want to be. Good Luck to you. Oh, someone mentioned paperwork. There is ALOT!! You also have to learn how to write an IEP and use it. Parents have zero tolerance for anything they think a teacher is doing wrong. The worst thing a teacher can do is not follow the guidelines of the IEP. I love my job though and can't imagine myself in any other field. Good Luck!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

Special education is great! I have been in the field for 27 years now. Special ed will be a good fit for you if you possess these qualities: patience (lots), willingness to measure success in small increments, love having different challenges each day (no day is ever the same), willingness to learn new ideas (this is a rapidly changing field). These very advantages can also be the disadvantages. There are stresses, no doubt. Many times you will feel helpless. You will want to "fix" the child, but you will not be able to do so. You will need to learn that by "fixing" the child, you may destroy some of what makes him/her unique. You will need to learn to do your best each day to make their day special each day. This is a great job for older people who tend to have more realistic ideas and more patience. Good luck!! Shoot me an email if you need more help or information ([e-mail])

Answer 5

I've been working with students with special needs since 1975 and I enjoy (most) every minute. In fact, I have stepped out of the classroom to become an instructional coach for the past three years and have asked to go back to work with my kids.
You need to have lots of patience for not only the kids you'll work with but even more so the teachers you'll be working closely with too. These days, a lot of your time could be spent in a classroom with another teacher in an inclusion setting. That means you need to be able to work with others in a collaborative setting. Paperwork is always an issue for special educators so know that you'll spend time outside of the classroom writing IEPs (individual education plans) for each of your students. They become longer and more involved each year. Disadvantages are the same as in any school setting.
Good luck! Having spent the last three years in all classrooms in our school I know that I chose the right area to work in.

Answer 6

You need to learn the laws concerning special ed. The best sites are www.wrightslaw.com and www.reedmartin.com

I have read from a lot of teachers, that they did NOT learn what they needed to learn about special ed when they were going to college for it.

Most teachers also do not know that the administrators over them violate federal and state sped laws, because they don't want to help children. Lots of teachers believe what the administrators tell them, and don't know they are blatantly violating laws and hurting the children.

There have been so many teachers quit sped for this reason. So many teachers have their hands tied and are mandated by the administrators to not tell the parents if the child could have learning problems or special needs, because the school doesn't want to help.

I finally got tired of all my schools crap and took my 8 yr dd out to homeschool. When I told her teacher this, she said 'I'm so sorry, the administrators just wouldn't let me help your child'.

And this is not just some isolated cases here and there. This is rampant all across the country.

A great site to find out about this is www.schwablearning.org sign up for free to post on their parent to parent message board. There are a few sped teachers there.

I have been thru 8 years of schools fighting with me, not wanting to help. My 2 daughters, and one grandchild, involving 6 schools, 3 different school districts and over 40 people who ALL
lied, violated laws, cheated, and on and on.

Answer 7

First, you have to like kids.

Second, you have to be incredibly patient and organized.

Third, you must be prepared to do a LOT of paperwork. (Each public school child who receives special education and related services must have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Each IEP must be designed for one student and must be a truly individualized document. Everything that goes on in a special ed student's academic history is documented.

Special ed programs are notoriously understaffed, so there is need for special ed teachers--but you will be overworked.

Answer 8

As a parent I think you will need patience......a big heart, a soft touch, and the ability to remember each child's 504 or IEP and implement each to the best of your ability. ---Remember not all parents are going to be blaming you for everything, some truly respect and will be grateful to you. Carry a big box of tissues, never get too emotionally attached (but you will), . NEVER tell a parent they are overreacting. Be Kind.............
Remember special ed teachers also teach from the heart a bit more than anything else.

Answer 9

I've been doing it 12 yrs now. It's not the kids, it's the parents and the paperwork that can be trying. I LOVE my job!!!!!!!! I teach severe/profound. You have to be able to work well with other people (aides, therapists, parents, etc.) You have to do well w/ paperwork as there is a lot of it and spec. ed. is a lawsuit happy field. CYA! I prefer special ed. to regular ed. My kids are always so happy to come to school. I recommend visiting classrooms that feature kids with different abilities so you can really hone in on which population you want to work with.

Answer 10

Its a lot of work. I am getting my masters in special ed and I must say I had no idea what I was getting into. You do need to have a strong desire with lots of patients to work with special ed. students.