Being a special education teacher?

Dorine Nurre: What do travel agents, clergy, volunteer firefighters, and special education teachers all have in common....People working in these fields are rated some of the happiest with their jobs. I have been a special education teacher for 5 years now. i love my job. I love my students. And I love my co-workers. Yes, we have our bad days, yes some days I feel like why am I doing this... but those are the off days. I would say the most difficult part of my job is the parents. I work with Emotional/Behavior Disorder students. I can handle a 16 year old cussing at me, but when their 40 year old mother shows up and talks to me the same way, I have a hard time being ok with that. my day consists of working with students, paperwork, calling parents, paperwork, working with general ed teacher, paperwork, and meetings. If you want to be in Special Education it helps if you are an organized person with patients and a fast typist! There is a lot of paperwork that spec! ial ed does require, but if you keep on top of it and are organized, it really isn't that bad....Show more

Shawnna Kusky: I have a son with special needs and I can tell you that some teachers seem to have their heart in what they are doing (they certainly don't get paid as much as they should) and others get burnt out quickly. God bless all the good special ed teachers out there. They truly make a difference in the life of the most vulnerable population. Best of luck.

Jayson Brod: Im speaking from experience with special ed teachers and I would say they dont like their jobs...I was put in special ed a few years in my schooling and decided i didnt need it anymoreonce I left, that meant I wasnt helping the special ed teacher keep her job cause I think I was the only person who was in there for her...I saw her in the hallway and she completely ignored me like we never metSo ask yourself, why do you want to become a special ed teacher? An easy job and pay just like! the majority, that makes me sick. Do it because you want to ! help students advance in whatever skills they're lacking, and I guarantee you'll love your job once you see the results of your efforts...Show more

Janean Guz: I have worked as a teacher in a special education school and I loved the work, its true that some teachers don't like the work but it was the only work available to them, but I also met some wonderful teachers who loved their job, and it showed in how the students would interact with them, Bev & Larry are teachers and Larry is a family friend, both of these teachers the inspiration to my going into teaching, he taught music and the swimming program. I started out as a volunteer with the swimming program (I am a qualified swimming instructor), and the music program, the kids just loved Larry, when ever he walked into the room the students would giggle & squeal with delight. Bev was in charge of the high needs students, so I would often find myself in this teachers room, helping with feeding, playing games, readi! ng and doing art work etc. Bev had a lovely quite voice and the student would react to her voice and like Larry would squeal & giggle with delight. Pru ran the early intervention program which was run very much like a pre school class, were we'd play games, cook, paint, read etc. Pru was also very good and the toddlers would react positively towards her too. As the students got to know me I got similar squeals of delight, hugs & kisses, which made me feel pretty good. This was nearly 20 years ago, and I have since become a Youth & Disability support worker and teacher. Sadly the wages don't reflect the hard work and effort these teachers put into developing students education (adapted) life & independent skills. The work can very depending on the students level of mobility, intellectual impairment & comprehension. But all students would have reading, writing, maths, music, computer time, adapted to suit the needs of each student, once or twice a week, they would go for a wa! lk, swim, ten pin bowling or other activity, depending on their mobilit! y. There was also a sensory room, which was something to see, as the children with severe impairments, would love this room and interact with the staff. The students who were capable of doing a lot for themselves would also have independent living skill taught to them, such as personal care, cleaning, budgeting, meal preparation (including buying setting out menus & buying the food). My advice is do some voluntary work, either in a school or holiday program designed for disability to get the feel for the work, and understand the demands of a special needs teacher, their aides and carers. Don't be afraid of asking questions about what & why the teacher might be doing something, in a certain way. Some teachers are very good at communication & explaining things, and telling you what to do and how. Where others are not, so if your not sure of doing something or how ask....Show more