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Becoming a special education itenerant teacher
-get bachelor degree
-get master's degree
-gain experience working with children.
- work with children on an individual level #special-education
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Amy’s Answer
Hi Tobi,
Special education teachers are in high demand - always! It is a very challenging and rewarding area of PreK-12 Education.
As for any teacher, the job varies based on the grade level you teach. But in special education, you will probably teach several "subjects"; and there will be many different levels of student need. As you investigate the special education field and college degree programs, you may want to think about your personal passion and preferences. Do you want a college that offers specialized training in certain areas of special education - oftentimes identified on a continuum of "high-frequency/low-need" to "low-frequency/high-need" disabilities? Or are you happy with a more generalized program?
The answer may depend on where you plan to teach. Special education is defined by law to be "a need not a place", but the reality is that school districts translate needs into different levels of "programs" or "classrooms" based on their student enrollment and resources. If you are in a small school or school district, there may only be one special education "program/classroom" and teacher. You will do it all! If you are in large school or school district, there will be many different "programs/classrooms" and many special education teachers. For example, you may teach Resource English or Math to 11th graders only. Just always remember that in spite of district "programs", students are individuals. They have individual needs - the I in IEP - and should never be shoehorned into a pre-defined program. Know your students and advocate for their needs!
In terms of financing your education, college students pursuing certification in special education *may* qualify for special tuition grants or scholarships. For career changers, there is the federal "Alternative Routes to Certification" program. For first time college students, there may be other similar programs as the demand for special education teachers far exceeds the supply. If you commit yourself to your coursework and student teaching experience, you will have no trouble finding a job.
My final advice is to always schedule time to care for yourself. Teaching, and especially Special Education, can be a very challenging job.
Good luck to you!
Special education teachers are in high demand - always! It is a very challenging and rewarding area of PreK-12 Education.
As for any teacher, the job varies based on the grade level you teach. But in special education, you will probably teach several "subjects"; and there will be many different levels of student need. As you investigate the special education field and college degree programs, you may want to think about your personal passion and preferences. Do you want a college that offers specialized training in certain areas of special education - oftentimes identified on a continuum of "high-frequency/low-need" to "low-frequency/high-need" disabilities? Or are you happy with a more generalized program?
The answer may depend on where you plan to teach. Special education is defined by law to be "a need not a place", but the reality is that school districts translate needs into different levels of "programs" or "classrooms" based on their student enrollment and resources. If you are in a small school or school district, there may only be one special education "program/classroom" and teacher. You will do it all! If you are in large school or school district, there will be many different "programs/classrooms" and many special education teachers. For example, you may teach Resource English or Math to 11th graders only. Just always remember that in spite of district "programs", students are individuals. They have individual needs - the I in IEP - and should never be shoehorned into a pre-defined program. Know your students and advocate for their needs!
In terms of financing your education, college students pursuing certification in special education *may* qualify for special tuition grants or scholarships. For career changers, there is the federal "Alternative Routes to Certification" program. For first time college students, there may be other similar programs as the demand for special education teachers far exceeds the supply. If you commit yourself to your coursework and student teaching experience, you will have no trouble finding a job.
My final advice is to always schedule time to care for yourself. Teaching, and especially Special Education, can be a very challenging job.
Good luck to you!
Frank Oldfield
M.Ed. (TESOL)., Online Remote Adult Education Teacher, Educator & Facilitator.
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Frank’s Answer
1. Ask your School Teacher to help you connect with me Pen Pal Teacher at https://www.ePals.com
2. Then your Teacher reads my ePals profile and connects with me.
1. Your teacher then registers you as a student member at; https://www.ePals.com
2. Your teacher connects with me at My Class "Welcome to Basic A1. Reading & Writing ESL Classes"
1. Then you practice Reading & Writing English with other students...
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Keep moving forward!
Best wishes!
Thanks!
Check out: special-education -benefits#3 (get a spark/had a brain wave) Interdisciplinary learning allows students to develop their capacity to identify and integrate ideas - https://discovery-education.rise.com/learn/course/code...
2. Then your Teacher reads my ePals profile and connects with me.
1. Your teacher then registers you as a student member at; https://www.ePals.com
2. Your teacher connects with me at My Class "Welcome to Basic A1. Reading & Writing ESL Classes"
1. Then you practice Reading & Writing English with other students...
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Keep moving forward!
Best wishes!
Thanks!
Frank recommends the following next steps: