Special Education Teacher.... (application, degree, employers, job)
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I want to get into special education teaching. It's what my dad did and I used to be a teacher's aid for a pre-school class. And I was good at that. I am thinking of getting a degree in English and teaching credential. Anything else I would need to go in that profession?
You want to teach history, geography, special ed, english as a second language, and be an urban planner. Isn't about time you chose something, and finished college?
You want to teach history, geography, special ed, english as a second language, and be an urban planner. Isn't about time you chose something, and finished college?
Well I will have my AA and I got into cal poly slo and cal poly pomona for urban planning. but cal poly slo probably won't allow me to take college algebra over Summer, so my application will be withdrawn.
But yeah I think I will settle on being a special education teacher.
The way my college works is you can get a degree in English, and then get a special education teaching credential.
It doesn't seem like you can make up your mind as far as careers go, but it's a big decision so I understand.
As far getting a degree in English and then getting a special ed teaching credential, that does not seem very legit and even if that's the way your school operates regarding special ed training, many employers won't think that's enough and won't hire you after graduation.
My friend is just finishing her special education degree and she majored in it from the beginning and had to take four years of special ed-related classes and then did a year of student teaching.
Special ed is a very tough field to be in and you definitely need many classes to prepare you for teaching in that capacity. You should also make sure you can handle it before you make a commitment. In high school I thought I wanted to be a special ed teacher until I mentored kids with autism who would sit in class, plucking out their eye lashes and chewing on their hand until it bled. That is when I realized special ed wasn't for me.
So if you are serious about this as your profession, you should probably transfer schools and go to a college with a better special ed program because having an English degree wouldn't be enough to get you a special ed job and it also doesn't make much sense.
Hi... HELP... Current teachers, your advice and insight would be appreciated... I am older and looking to move into the education field as a new "empty nester" career. I spoke to NTEC, who claimed that I could quickly receive a conditional teaching certificate and begin teaching while I continued my studies for full certification. They pushed me away from K-thru-4th grade (my preference) and into Special Education... claiming finding work would be far easier. Now, having read a few threads on this web-site, I question my ability to find a Special Ed teaching job... and my ability to adjust to what sounds like a terrible workload and work environment. Anyone out there with hands on experience in Special Ed?... THX, Jim
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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With a wife in Special Education, I would strongly suggest that you spend some time volunteering at a school in their transition or resource room, and see what it's like. The para-professionals do most of the heavy-lifting (literally) when it comes to things like diaper changes, biting and seizures, but the teachers have to deal with parents and their attorneys.
Many of the teachers burn out in 5 years and go back to regular classrooms so there is a high turnover, and openings every year in most districts.
For jimmyp2713, yes, that conditional certificate is sometimes done, when they are desperate for another special Ed teacher. First, depending on the kids assigned you may find it very physically demanding at your age. Second, pencil out the money. What will it cost for the actual certification at your local college, and how many years will you work before retiring? It may cost more than you make at a typical salary of $50k and tuition cost of $20k. Compare to a job that pays the same or close without the tuition cost.
Third, and perhaps most important, is that you may get very little support. Things like writing IEPs, meeting with parents and their lawyers, and scheduling paraprofessionals take a lot of time and skills, and to do that while attending classes at night is very hard even for the young. When you need help, will someone be available that knows what to do? You may be assigned to a school with several other special ed teachers, who are willing to help, but you may also be the only one there. A lot to consider carefully before jumping into it.
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