I am very interested in becoming a special education teacher...?

Question

so should I go to college and be a teachers aide first and then go into teaching or just go straight into teaching?? Someone please help me!!

Answer 1

You don't need to have a degree to be a teacher's aide; start looking for those positions NOW. This is the time of year districts start interviewing for anticipated needs in the fall.
Actually, if you can find a flexible program, you can work as an aide and take classes at the same time. (A couple of the aides at our school are doing just that.)
As a matter of fact, I started in education as an attendance clerk/administrative assistant. I found that I really liked the environment and started taking classes that would fit into my work schedule. (My principal was very flexible as far as getting my degree was concerned. He even helped me apply for a couple of scholarships.) I eventually had to quit working at the school as soon as I got into my junior and senior level classes. The perk was that when I was ready to graduate, I had a teaching job lined up thanks to my former principal.
Go for it!! You might be pleasantly surprised!

EDIT: I wouldn't sign up for karate just yet... Most aides that I've encountered in my 15+ years are those hired to help out teachers that have too many students and as an extra hand in kinder classes. By the time you've worked for a couple of years, you may or may not still be interested in SpEd. My original plan was to teach music but the bulk of my experience has ended up being in middle school math.

Answer 2

I am a special education teacher. Go to college, and get as much experience as you can working and volunteering in schools with different age groups and disabilities. Sign up as a substitute aide if you have any daytime hours free. These jobs are often 3-5 hours a day, very few are more than 6, so you can probably fit some into your schedule. As soon as you get your bachelor's degree, you can work as a substitute teacher, while you complete your credential coursework. This is what I would recommend, because you want to have a good idea of the kind of place you want to work before you end up in a situation that is very uncomfortable for you.

Answer 3

If you already have a bacholars degree in anything, then you can take the special education subject area exam which allows you to be certified to be a real teacher. If you do not have a college degree then you will need to get one before you can be the real teacher. As far as being a teacher aide, the pay isn't great but it would be good experience. I am not sure what qualifications you need but if you call your local school district office they should be able to help you.

Answer 4

Do both. Be a special ed aide and go to college for teaching at the same time.

Answer 5

Go to school and substitute teach. This will allow you to go into many diverse teaching environments and experience the work. Substituting brings in income without having to do lesson plans or correct papers which is a time consuming, but essential, part of teaching.

Answer 6

Yeah I agree, no martial arts. No for SpEd anyway. You obviously know what you are getting into if you are considering a carreer in it. (I hope you do anyway). Yes, go to college and work as much as you can filling in and volunteering. Your expertise needed would depend if you were wanting Mild/Moderate (LD class) or if you wanted Multi Handicap/mentally retarded. You actually must go through a LOT of the same classes that regular education teachers do, just more of the SpEd.

Answer 7

That appears like an amazing thought yet our you helpful you may preserve working with specific coaching youngsters? i'm no longer asking to be propose ( i'm sorry if it comes for the time of that way). it relatively is merely there a good number of paintings. My brother has cerebral palsy & he can throw suits in specific cases which you does no longer have faith. It takes a good number of paintings to become a definite coaching instructor.I propose lots. Why do no longer you initiate out by skill of volunteering on your college? Ask the instructor in case you may make a theater group/club for them as quickly as each week. then you somewhat ought to get a sense for it, & see what it takes. Jimmey ( my brother) is in a club like that & he LOVES it. lower back i'm no longer attempting to be propose, i think of it relatively is a amazing thought. there is merely lots extra paintings in it then you will think of.

Answer 8

what you should do is work as an aid and see how you like it and if you do then pursue to become a teacher

Answer 9

First, you should learn some martial arts. You're going to need it, because your "clients" can be very assaultive. I once saw a nurse in a pool of blood and with a broken neck. This was because I was not relieved of my duty in time to save her from her fate.