It takes a special kind of person to become a skilled Special Education teacher. Students who have disabilities and special educational needs require assistance not only with academics, but with behavioral and social development as well. The best special education teachers help students develop emotionally, feel comfortable in social situations, be aware of socially acceptable behavior, and prepare for life after school.
It's a rewarding job for sure. But special education teaching can also be emotionally and physically draining. Special education teachers must be patient, creative, flexible, understanding, and able to motivate their students.
Sound like a job for a superwoman or superman? Perhaps. But with the proper training and mentoring in a special education program, a career in special education could be for you.
Special education programs
To get started, you'll need to enroll in a bachelor's degree program and complete an approved teacher preparation program that includes a supervised student teaching experience. Special education programs may include courses in education psychology, legal issues in special education, child growth and development, the role of technology in special education, special education teaching methods, and more. Depending on the state where you plan to teach, you may also need a master's degree in special education, which involves at least a year of additional coursework. Most special education teachers must also pass a professional assessment test to be licensed.
If you've already earned your bachelor's degree, but you were not an education major, all is not lost. You may still pursue an alternative route to special education licensing, in which you begin teaching under a provisional license, and earn a regular license after teaching for a couple of years and completing required education courses.
Special education employment
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of special education teachers is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through 2014. This growth in special education teaching may be attributed to the increased number of special education students needing services, education reforms requiring higher standards for graduation, and legislation emphasizing training and employment for individuals with disabilities.
Employment in special education is growing faster than employment in general education, and the salaries are comparable, reports the BLS. In May 2004, median annual earnings of special education teachers in preschools, kindergartens, and elementary schools were $43,570; middle school special education teachers earned $44,160; and special education teachers in secondary schools earned $45,700.
Are you ready to make a difference in the lives of students with special educational needs? Enroll in a special education program today.
About the author:
Robyn Tellefsen is a frequent contributor to The CollegeBound Network. Learn more about finding a school that's right for you.
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