The Special Education Field?

Question

I'm in 6th grad and am VERY passionate about becoming a special education teacher! What are some good coleges(SP?) for that feild? By the way, If there are any special education teachers out there that could give me some advise, that would be great! Please don't tell me that I should have a more open mind on what I want to be, or that it is not a good feild to be in, or that my dreams will probably change. I have wanted to do this since the end of 1st grade!

Thanks a ton!
C.F.C

I do want to go to my local University High School! (Fresno State!) I play the clairinet! If that helps in any way! Just thought I'd add it in there!

My dream as of right now is to teach elementary levels like 1-6 at a elementary school like at my school!

Answer 1

I am a Disabled person, and I have seen some people who are autistic, I have seen people who have cerebal palsy since they were children.
I was in Special Ed all of my life is cause I have been having a learning Disability, I think slow.

I am now 29 years old. And now I work in a Sheltered Workshop Here in Hope, Arkansas.

I live in a Disabled place. Everybody here is disabled in some way.

Some people here don't speak right, some people here don't know how to read, and some people here don't know how to write either.

And when I go out to do any shopping, I feel like store employees and other customers see my disability.

I have people who work with me, and most of the time I don't want their help, is cause I am living here to be independent, and I am trying to be independent as I can.

In 1996 I graduated High School here in Hope, Arkansas. Then after that I went to a Rehabilitation Center in Hot Springs, Arkansas for 1 year. And a year and 3 months I lived in a mens group home in Texarkana, Arkansas for 5 years. Now In that Rehabilitation Center I saw some people who are deaf. And in that mens group home, I had some friends who could not read, and they cannot speak correctly.

Now currently I am now going to the college here and now taking my basics, and I am wanting to major in Computer Tech, if I don't do good I am planning to go into nursing school, and if I don't do good I am planning to go into Law School. Now I understand that those jobs are very hard. And I also get tired of people seeing me as a disabled person.

Now I understand that you are want to be a special education teacher when you grow up. And I am just trying to give you some ideas of what some of your students may be going through in their lives growing up.

I am very glad for you to wanting to be a special ed teacher! Cause it takes a special person like you, to help people like me.

So will you please pray for me?

So please pray with me.

Dear Lord Jesus
Please bless this wonderful child to be a good Special Education Teacher. I know that it takes a good hearted person to help people like us, so I think this young child will be a good Special Ed Teacher. So please give this child the strength to be one. These and blesses we ask in your Son Jesus name. A-men.

I wish the best for you and good Luck.

If you would like to talk to me more about it, please e-mail me at: [e-mail]

Answer 2

I am a special education teacher, and I think I have the best job in the world. It is often challenging and frustrating, frequently very funny, and never ever boring. It is thrilling to be part of it when children learn to talk, or to read, or to develop friendships. So I can completely understand your desire to do the same.

As far as your choice of college, there are many colleges throughout the United State that offer programs leading to a special education credential. You may want to consider what state you hope to teach in and select a college in that state, since the college program will be designed to complete the requirements for a credential in that state. There are some differences in credential requirements in different states. If you like your home state, then think about going to college there, since tuition will be less for a resident, and you don't want to graduate with a huge student loan needing to be repaid.

You will learn much more from working in a special education classroom than you will from your college coursework. The college classes give some good information, but if you can spend some time as a volunteer, intern, or assistant in a special ed class with a really gifted teacher, you will see the theories put into action. And you will get a chance to practice your skills with real kids, which will teach you a lot more than listening to a professor lecture.

I am always happy when young people want to become a special education teacher. I am in my early 50s, and so are many of my fellow teachers. We need young and dedicated people to take our places when we retire. So follow your dreams, and best wishes to you!

Answer 3

It take passion to teach special education, and if you have it use it!!!
Talk with your school counsellors, they can help you find a great college and degree plan so you can start working toward their qualifications.
In the meantime try volunteering with an organization serving children with special needs, or visit a local children's hospital. The more you do now, the more you will learn about special education, and those that it serves. You may find that you enjoy or are interested in certain types of disabilities over others (those as a teacher you won't get to be picky, it can help when picking a college program).

Answer 4

well, since 1st.grade. your in 6th. 5 years. that would be about half your life. that qualifies as a dream.

Dreams are good, they give something to shoot for, Just remember that bad always comes with the good.

I have two brothers who are 'special' one is 30, and can't speak, the other is 8 and can barely speak. you can tell, they both have hearts of gold, but they can't communicate. that is a very hard thing to see everyday.

Special education is a very nobel feild, and it take a good person to do it. be shur that you can see people who you can't help, everyday, without it destroying you, but at the same time loving them for who they are. That is a very difficult thing for anybody to do. Know that this type of thing is not child's play, but make it seem like play to those you are teaching.

Find and visit a home for mentally disabled people. you will see extream cases, like my brothers, who could not be helped, and know that that's what you are deciding to do.

Good grades are very important for any educated field, right now, focus on grades, and college(you will need college, and good grades there too.) some states require a 3.0 or better with a 4 year degree. majors like abnormal developement, and childhood education would be where you want to look. also, keep a clean record(criminal) many states require backround checks

not trying to discourage, just telling you what to expect, you are young, and it is a hard field to get into(and stay in) If you visit a home like what i said, and you still want to, then please do it. People who are qualified for this are in short supply

Answer 5

It sounds like you live in California. I am a Special Education Teacher and it is a very rewarding, but stressful occupation. I had an undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin and when I moved out here I went to Cal State San Bernardino for my Masters in Education-Special Education Emphasis. They have a great two year intern program there where you actually work in a special education class while earning your credential. Good luck to you! We need more Special Education teachers.

Answer 6

That's awesome that you want to go into special education. I am a Deaf Education/Elementary Education major and will be graduating next dec. There are a lot of awesome schools out there I found the school I am at (Flagler College in FL) through fastweb.com. I wish you luck and knowing what you want to do in 6 grade in not a bad thing. I've known I've wanted to be a teacher since I was in 7 grade. Hope this helps.

Answer 7

Well, I decided to become a special ed. teacher when I was in 10th grade and have now been teaching 12 years!!! It's never too early to plan! Right now, what you should do is contact your local Special Olympics and see about volunteering as much as you can. They also have something called Unified Special Olympics where YOU can BE an athlete paired with a disabled athlete...like you can be their actual partner in a sport...a kid your own age. That would be GREAT experience. Make sure you keep your grades up in high school. Most colleges have special. ed. programs. I worked in a group home for disabled adults to earn extra money while I was in college. I went to the Univ. of South FL in Tampa. It has a very good college for spec. ed. Good Luck!

Answer 8

I completely understand! I've wanted to teach deaf children since I was 11! (I'm 22 now and finishing my master's in deaf ed). Don't give up on your dream. One of the best things you can do is to find a place to work/volunteer with children who have special needs. I used to work at a Respite Center...it was AMAZING. Lots of places have summer camps too..you might look into that and see about becoming a volunteer. Get in contact with special education teachers at schools near where you live and see if they can help you. (this is where you will find a mentor!) Once you're in HS, your guidance counselor can help to direct you to specific schools with good programs for your field.

GOOD LUCK!

Answer 9

A couple of other east coast schools with strong schools of edcuation...University of Massachussetts and Westfield State College (also in MA) both have extremely strong teaching programs. MA is one of the hardest states to become a teacher in...you would have to take the teacher's certification exam for graduation....and both include extensive in class experience before you complete your bachelors.

Answer 10

good for you for having serious goals and ambition.

tons of colleges have special education departments. two of my friends who are now special ed teachers went to san jose state university (CA) and columbia university (NY), which are both pretty highly regarded for their teacher ed programs. but both of my friends say college wasn't that helpful, they mostly learned by doing...