Career in Special Education Essay

Special education teachers no longer may identify themselves as teachers of just a specific category of students. Rather, they must identify themselves as teachers of all students and be willing to provide whatever support is needed to meet the varied needs of students. Likewise, students should not be identified as self-contained or resource, but as students needing specialized instruction and supports for specific skills/subject areas for specific amounts of time in either a special education setting or a general education setting.

As I grew older, I began to realize that students with disabilities have many significant obstacles to overcome. Seeing them get excited about learning things that we take for granted provided me with the desire to become part of their learning. For example, one kindergartner with Down Syndrome struggled daily to learn how to write the first letter of her name. It was such a joy for all of those involved when she finally succeeded. Working with these students furthered my resolve to not only fulfill my childhood dream of becoming a teacher, but I soon realized that special education is my niche. After 13 years of teaching in Glynn County, I still teach with the same fervor and enthusiasm as the first day I formally stepped into a classroom. My principal once said, “Teaching is not a job. It’s a profession.” I wholeheartedly believe in this philosophy. Education was never a back-up plan or alternative for me; being a teacher is who I am. As a special educator, I strive to

Many factors have come forth to why there is a shortage within this field. One could assume that there are more teachers retiring faster than there are teachers coming in to fill the positions. However, that is not the cases. Cancio et al., (2013) stated that teacher shortage is not due to retirement but to first-year teachers leaving the field within the first three years of teaching. Zhang et al. (2014) also suggested that the first-year teachers felt they were not prepared for the position and the duties that it calls for to be special education teacher. Dupriez et al. (2016) study found that it was not only the younger first-year teacher that felt that they could not fill their obligations as a special education teacher but older teachers felt the same. Both sets of special education teachers felt that they had not received the accurate training that they a had need for students with disciplinary problems and other disabilities. However, the teachers also stated that this issue was not enough of a reason for them to

My name is Alyssa Fusco and I am on the path to becoming a special education teacher. In the course of my first few weeks in the Special Education course, I am not only learning how to be a better teacher, but training my mind in such a way that I can improve the lives of others. My interest in working with students with disabilities stems from my experience with Senior Experience at Calhoun High School. This program has developed a framework for my future career aspirations by observing how not only the faculty can make a difference in these students lives, but also the teachers facilitate an environment that promotes the integration between students with and without disabilities. Through mainstreaming these students, Calhoun High School showed me what type of difference I could make in the world through combining my passion for teaching and the place students with disabilities hold in my heart.

The best degree for a career in special education research is one that prepares the graduate for state licensure while providing specialized training. Most special education programs train teachers to work in schools with students who have mental or physical disabilities, so the best degree will provide advanced training in both academic research and special education instruction.

During my 13 years tenure as a Special Education Teacher, I gained experience by integrating professional values into practice. For instance, I had a very strong respectful relationship with my students, their families, and school staff. I assisted in developing Individual Educational Plans (IEP) and monitor students’ progress/difficulties for needed modification. I also identified and implemented effective problem-solving strategies such as identified the problems of the students, brainstormed alternative solutions, and selected an option to help resolve the problems. Furthermore, I collaborated with school personnel and outside agencies to plan and engaged students in sports such as track/field, and bowling for the Special Olympics on the

I have been part of the Liberty family for over a year now. I completed my student teaching practicum in the spring at LHS and was hired in the fall for a one on one position as a paraprofessional. On a professional level, I graduated with honors and hold certifications in both special education and elementary education. In having both certifications, I feel I am prepared to meet not only the emotional needs but the academic needs of the students that would be serviced in this position. My current job has allowed me to gain insight into the world of teaching special education by working closely with the teachers that service my student, along with my student’s case manager. I have learned a variety of strategies and technology resources that

In Academic journal articles from the 1980s to today, every study involving Special Education teacher attrition states a variation of “the situation is severe and will only get worse.” The available literature also states that “more research is needed” to understand the reasons so many special educators leave the profession.

As a new graduate that just completed Bachelors in Art with a concentration in Psychology, I felt it was time to move on to the next level of my education. Before, deciding on this career path, I had tried different careers. For example, my first career choice was to become a Lawyer however; I wanted to make sure that I did not waste money or time with a career that was not that interesting. Therefore, I took a couple of Paralegal classes and decide that Lawyers spend many hours on case after case. As a result, I decided that this would not be a smart choice because I have a family and I knew that I needed to balance work and family life especially since, that consist of, having a husband, two disabled boys and four girls. Because of this, I thought becoming a Special education teacher would be

Jane is a sophomore college. Shes working on a degree in special education. She works as a camp counsler every summer. The camp is a camp for children physical n mental disadvantages. Jane helps the kids and children get exercise and make better their social skills. Every summer, she takes the kids swimming in the afternoons in the summer. They goes bowl a couple times a week, as well. The children really like camping Jane always wanted to work with kids with disabilities. Jane is looking forward to a career in special

Even though districts can’t produce massive numbers of special education graduates from colleges, they do have some other tools to more effectively recruit and especially retain special teachers. Creating a supportive school climate, providing mentors, and recruiting from within could be considered as three ways to ease districts special ed teachers dearth problem.

I was born and raised in Pelham, New York a small town in lower Westchester County, about 25 minutes from New York City. I am a family orientated and outgoing person and have a great support system through my parents. My family has always taught me to go with my gut instinct and be myself. My family values and background has shaped who I am today and if it were not for my mom I would not be the women I am today. Everything my mom has taught me I have kept with me and apply to my everyday life. My mom has always taught me to be myself and to chase after anything I want and deserve. She has showed me a great example of who to be as a person and has shaped me to be a caring and understanding person. Self-confidence and having good judgement are

If I had to choose someone who taught me by their example, I would have chosen my high school teacher named Mr. Easton. Before explaining the example that my high school teacher Mr. Easton taught me, I want to briefly explain my educational journey. To begin with, my educational journey mainly begins with me being diagnosed (I think that is the right word to use) with various types of learning disabilities as a child. Therefore, during my elementary school years, middle school years, and to my final four-years of high school, I have been placed in both special education classes and non-special education classes.

Special education can be a very confusing field and varies with the location and circumstances. Very few special education teachers work with students with severe disabilities (“Teachers-Special Education” 2). The majority of employees in the special education field work with mild to moderate disabilities (2). Most special education teachers work with students one-on-one in a normal classroom environment (2). There are a few teachers that work with their students in separate rooms aside from the student’s normal classroom (3). There are very few special education teachers that work in residential places, at home, or in a hospital (2). There are some teachers that work with a baby at home (2). A special education teacher needs to

The Special education process is an intensive and carefully planned process that requires collaborative leadership, critical thinking, and extensive professional and ethical practices amongst other core values to execute. These qualities are inculcated in student teachers and teachers during pre and in service trainings respectively, so as to produce professionals who understand what special education is and the implications of having or not having the aforementioned qualities. Special education teacher training programs have trainees undergo intense field experiences that enable them to acquire knowledge and apply skills learnt in order to be effective teachers. A lot is at stake in special education should a teacher be lacking any of the qualities or dispositions. The implications range from legal matters, better school and family relations, and the overall wellbeing of the student. Documents such as the Individualized Education Plans, and the Functional Behavior Analysis etc., require utmost confidentiality for the sake of the student and their families. Relationships with colleagues, the administration and the parents require a high level of collaboration and leadership so as to come to leveled, and well-thought conclusions and decisions regarding the student’s well being in school, be it socio emotional, intellectual, or physical aspects. The