Why I Want To Pursue A Master's Degree In Special Education

I have been in the field of special education for more than 20 years, as a self-contained, transition to work high school special educator, as an educational specialist at a school for students with severe learning disabilities, a resource teacher for students for students on the autism spectrum and emotional handicaps, and as a Director of Special Programs. Regarding my teaching experiences, they were all limited to high school aged students, it was not until I became a Director of Special Programs did I have the honor of working with students and families of all ages and grade levels.

As a future special education teacher, I believe every child deserves to receive the best education possible, regardless of disabilities or special needs. While the needs of each student may vary, each child deserves a valuable and well-delivered education that concentrates on both their immediate and future needs. It is crucial to be cognizant of students’ academic abilities and/or disabilities and to strive to supply the tools and services they need as individuals to thrive academically as well as in society. I believe it is my duty to help each child discover their unique gifts and talents and reach their full potential.

My interest’s in special education goes back to my high school years, where I was taken out for testing, and to get help with homework. I was that student that had an IEP and was in a resource room twice a day to get help. It was hard for me to understand why I had to get taken out for exams, homework or even big projects. Well it helped me get good grades and pass exam usually. I couldn’t get the jest to why I wasn’t a “normal” student and to be able to take an exam in the class room. While I was in elementary school I had to get tested a lot for academics to see what was going on. Finally came to a conclusion that I have and disability with an IEP, bad test anxiety and that’s why I had an IEP in school. I came to realize in high school that

National Louis University’s M.A.T in Special Education would provide the foundation to fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming a Special Education teacher. I hold a Bachelor’s of Science in Family and Child Studies, with an emphasis in Family Social Services. My undergraduate degree presented an amazing internship opportunity in Tucson, Arizona. I was fortunate to intern at Liberty Center for Language and Learning, working with children who have Autism and other developmental disabilities. Upon completing my internship, I was inspired to continue my education and a career in a field for which I am passionate about. My job as a teacher assistant has been instrumental in providing hands-on experience in a high school special education setting.

Teaching students with special needs is highly rewarding. “Every child deserves a champion- an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best they can possibly be.” (Pierson). Special education teachers work with and serve as a mentor to students who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional and physical disabilities.

One of the most essential aspects of the educational process is to know how to motivate students for learning. A challenging part of being a teacher is to know and learn how to motivate students. First of all, a good definition for motivation is as Byrnes quote “Motivation is construct

One of the reason people chose a career in special education is job satisfaction. Special education teacher perceived their job to be rewarding. They get personal fulfillment and gratification in teaching special need students. “It truly must be passion to continue working in special education because we all know it is a tough job.”(Participate 2010,”Motivational factor towards pursuing a career in special education”)They have the opportunity to make a positive difference in the students’ lives. When the student who is struggling in school graduate it brings great satisfaction to the educator. The most important part of this field is to help a child develop to their highest potential.

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.

Time is passing and opportunities are opening for more students with special needs. Many students in college are getting more interested in Special Education as career that will allow more organization to have more workers with a big potential that will have an important impact on these kids with disabilities. However, this will require more training for the students that organizations around the country can give them. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,“the career outlook for special education teachers should remain steady through 2024, with an increase of 6%, the national average for job growth in the United States. The median salary for this position is just over $55,000 annually,” (“Master in Special Education”) The approach the

A child with disabilities is a major focus in today’s education. Achieving my Bachelors in Special Education, I need to be aware of the need to ensure appropriate education for all children with disabilities. “The education of children with disabilities is a top national priority. Our nation’s special education law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), sets high standards for their achievement and guides how special help and services are made available in schools to address their individual needs (National Dissemination)”. This is my biggest challenge. I feel with the right tools and

In the profession of a special education teacher, a person commits to helping children achieve their best and to help “students overcome their obstacles” while finding a way that the child can effectively learn (Hollingsworth). My mom’s career as special education teacher for twenty-two years, allows me insight and experience into the tougher aspects of this career, but also the rewards to the job. My mom helps me understand that a special education teacher guides a child to expand their strengths, develop strategies to overcome weakness, and to make best use of all available resources. Through helping her, and learning from her experiences, she taught me that a career in special education can not only challenge me, but may also become a

The time is now to become a Special Education Teacher. I believe the best fit for my academic and vocational goals is the UWM Exceptional Education Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program.

I have had the opportunity to work with students in both the sub-separate and general education classroom to enhance students learning through their least restrictive environment. The working and teaching experience has allowed me to carry out the dedication that the Special Education program has for the students with disabilities in the current school system. I have been able to help students achieve educational success through providing a safe-learning environment for all students and helping students assessing curriculum and reach their full potential by promoting and supporting students diverse learning

In the article written by Saint Joseph’s University, it says that “a highly qualified special education teacher with an advanced degree, is best suited to help children face and overcome challenges, while striving to be their personal best” (“Saint Joseph’s University”). This quotation shows that if a person obtains the proper education and behaves the correct way, that person will most likely to be more affecting towards the kids while teaching. Special needs teachers need to obtain the proper education, understand how to behave, and know about the kids so they can be a successful teacher for their students.

Special education teachers remain in high demand. Although there are numerous special education teaching jobs, there aren't enough individuals in the field to fill these positions. Children suffering from mental or physical disabilities often need special learning method and require more time and energy from their instructors. Currently, approximately ten percent of individuals working in this field lack the necessary credentials, and states are authorizing temporary licenses. Teachers with a temporary license are then given a predetermined period of time to complete their license. As the need for teachers in this field is expected to grow by approximately 35 percent over the coming decade, those wishing to become a special education teacher will find they have numerous job opportunities.