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Why SpEd? With the rush for inclusion, I see SpEd as being the dinosaur in the tar pit.
Most states do not sem interested in which endorsement you have within SpEd. I would do READING or ESL. If I had to do over I would steer clear of education and went into law or medicine.
True, I was assuming the OP had a master's degree already. But with a bachelors's degree she could pursue certification as a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaB). That would show that she has experience dealing with ED students. In this day and age I would not recommend ESL, as those job duties are now being put on the general duration teachers to adapt their instruction to LEP learners. I always wanted to study to become a reading specialist but it meant I would have needed to get a teaching certificate (I am a Speech-Language Pathologist) but I have no desire to teach a large class, even for student teaching. But at least I wouldn't have to deal with the ridiculous amount of sped paperwork!
I had endorsements in both Hearing Impaired and Vision Impaired. My husband was often transferred for his job, and I usually had a job lined up for me, before we even got there. Never had a problem finding a job. And I felt like I had the best job in the district, I was mainly itinerant, going to see kids at their schools. Did assessments, signed off IEP's. Usually had a fairly small caseload, taught some Braille, arranged large print books or Braille books. Supervised para's, but not really their "supervisor". Hearing impaired, pretty much the same thing, assisted with determinations of placement, arranged interpreters, taught ASL/ESL. Educated parents, staff, "subject matter expert". Served me well....and...I was able to use my skills and go right into healthcare. Doing well. Had a great teaching career, and now on another career.
Thanks everyone-I am going to calls next week. I have a masters in elementary education and then something called an "advanced certificate in graduate studies" in special education. It was 22 graduate credits after my elem masters as well as a couple of hundred hours of additional fieldwork and then an additional summer of full time student teaching besides the student teaching I had already done. I did this 14 years after my elementary masters. I have been working doing CPSE and now will begin EI but looking to be more specialized. My agency told me that SPec ed is flooded with less in speech teachers and always looking for ot/pt therapists. Trying to stand out or specialize a bit.
Thanks everyone-I am going to calls next week. I have a masters in elementary education and then something called an "advanced certificate in graduate studies" in special education. It was 22 graduate credits after my elem masters as well as a couple of hundred hours of additional fieldwork and then an additional summer of full time student teaching besides the student teaching I had already done. I did this 14 years after my elementary masters. I have been working doing CPSE and now will begin EI but looking to be more specialized. My agency told me that SPec ed is flooded with less in speech teachers and always looking for ot/pt therapists. Trying to stand out or specialize a bit.
Wow, good for you for advancing your education and trying to find more ways to continue learning, that is commendable, I wish more educators followed your lead.
Being bilingual, particularly in Spanish, is also something that will give you an advantage over other applicants in the sped field. I am a bilingual SLP and I have been fortunate enough to always have multiple offers when we've moved from place to place due to hubby's job in the AF as well as the ability to work in private clinics, be an independent contractor, work in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, work overseas (I just saw three positions available to work as an SLP in Japan, Italy, and the Azores). As for me, I will probably go back to school in the next few years now that we have finally settled down after moving every two years.
Why SpEd? With the rush for inclusion, I see SpEd as being the dinosaur in the tar pit.
Most states do not sem interested in which endorsement you have within SpEd. I would do READING or ESL. If I had to do over I would steer clear of education and went into law or medicine.
There may be a rush for inclusion but special ed is far from being obsolete. Special ed is very marketable and we need gifted and patient people to do that. If you want another endorsement I would pick up a reading one. It isn't necessarily special ed but it's helping struggling students and if that's already something you like you may find it rewarding. Speech pathology might also be good.
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