2 answers
Alyssa
Student
Payne, OH
2
Questions
Asked
194 views
Is it hard being a special education teacher?
I want to be an autism specialist and work as a special education teacher, so I was curious of how hard the job is so I can prepare myself in advance.
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2 answers
Melody Tharpe
Education - Teacher
178
Answers
Indianapolis, Indiana
Updated
Melody’s Answer
Hi Alyssa,
Even though I’m not a licensed special ed teacher, I work closely with students who have IEPs, and I see how important and rewarding this role can be. Special ed teachers face challenges like paperwork, meetings, and balancing time, but their impact is huge. You might have a lot of students to support, but each one benefits greatly from your dedication. Working with students, helping general ed teachers adapt lessons, and providing special testing accommodations are all crucial parts of the job. It’s a lot to manage, but it’s also incredibly fulfilling. I recommend taking the chance to shadow a special education teacher, especially one who works with autistic students. This experience will give you valuable insights into the diverse needs of these students and how you can make a real difference in their lives.
Even though I’m not a licensed special ed teacher, I work closely with students who have IEPs, and I see how important and rewarding this role can be. Special ed teachers face challenges like paperwork, meetings, and balancing time, but their impact is huge. You might have a lot of students to support, but each one benefits greatly from your dedication. Working with students, helping general ed teachers adapt lessons, and providing special testing accommodations are all crucial parts of the job. It’s a lot to manage, but it’s also incredibly fulfilling. I recommend taking the chance to shadow a special education teacher, especially one who works with autistic students. This experience will give you valuable insights into the diverse needs of these students and how you can make a real difference in their lives.
Alright, thank you so much!
Alyssa
Robin Ramirez
I'm in HR and was a former middle school math and science teacher
3
Answers
Jacksonville, Florida
Updated
Robin’s Answer
Hi Alyssa,
I completely agree with Melody. It can be very rewarding. However, I want to add that is can also be very stressful and time consuming. I think one thing you can do to be prepared, is find out how you can best perform self care and stress management. You'll need to have these tools to be at your best to support special needs kids. But it is worth it. The rewards are tremendous.
I completely agree with Melody. It can be very rewarding. However, I want to add that is can also be very stressful and time consuming. I think one thing you can do to be prepared, is find out how you can best perform self care and stress management. You'll need to have these tools to be at your best to support special needs kids. But it is worth it. The rewards are tremendous.