Dedicated to empowering other special education teachers with tips and resources for your classroom! My goal is to make teachers lives easier! Subscribe to my channel for some great teaching resources, lesson ideas and tips to nail classroom management!
I've been a para in mod/severe for 2.5 years and am currently getting my mild/mod credential. I am super nervous for my first year going into teacher feeling like I know nothing and where to start. Can you talk about student teaching and paid internships?
Hi I am new to your channel and I need some guidance to unravel some things I am confused about. I am from the Caribbean and I made a career change from Corporate World to Education. I am currently a Primary School/Elementary School Teacher for the pass 7 years and I have not regretted the change. I would like to transition into Special Education Teaching in the USA in the future. What is confusing and my question is do you have to have a degree in any subject area and also have Special Education Masters Degree to be able to teach in middle school and High School ? I currently have an Elementary School degree What do I have to to fulfill the requirements to become a Middle/high school special education teacher ? I am thinking about going to Grad School to do Special Education and this will be my 4th Degree program @ 49-50 years old, Just need some guidance to take the correct steps.
Hello! There isn’t a super easy answer to this question because every state in the United States has different requirements. I’ve taught in two different states in both of these states you need at least a minor in special education teaching. A bachelors or masters degree in special education teaching would also work!
Thank you for this video! I’m considering getting an MAT in Special Education and am not sure about adapted vs. general curriculum. This gave me more insight about the workloads in different positions.
Hi! I’m starting a new job as a Special Education Instructional Aide III next week. Can you tell me what makes a good Para for YOU, as the teacher? What’s the number one piece of advice you could give me?
Good luck with your new job!! My number one piece of advice for anyone who is starting out as a para is to love your students. Building genuine connections with them is so important. When students feel seen, valued, and cared for, they are more likely to thrive. Your kindness and encouragement will mean the world to them and can make a lasting impact on their growth and confidence!
@@ActiviTeach Thank you! This is the one part of the job I’m so excited for… to help make a difference in a child and see happiness on their face while learning.
Best practice is to NOT write the IEP beforehand? I was planning on completing mine the day before to present the new goals to the team. Is this a bad idea?
It depends on the state you live in and the school district you are at. Technically every goal should be a team decision and created together. On the other hand, bringing goals and ideas to the table is also great too! Just make it clear that your IEP is a draft and that it is a team decision.
This is super helpful. I’ve been teaching for a little while now but I will sometimes get asked to help in the special day class or with special education and the kids are always super sweet for the most part and I enjoy interacting with them. I want to transition from a classroom teacher to a special education teacher but should I get some formal training first?
Try bringing real things to the class each day for "show and tell" - before you teach the kids about them with a "Primer," and limit your daily lessons to tell them about high paying jobs, like being a Bank President, and fun related things using reading, writing, listening, speaking and financing Q and A about each one. I know you can't do this because of your School Board Curriculum. I just thought I would suggest it as a hope that will never be realized. 🤣
Hi Samantha, Thanks for your content. I am an aspiring special education teacher who will be starting teacher's college in September 2024. I am really excited about fulfilling my life-long dream of becoming a special education teacher. However, I am extremely anxious about the process of becoming a teacher. I struggle with anxiety, and I am worried that I might not excel. When I become anxious, I experience inarticulation. I am already dreading presentations and placements. I already work in special education as an educational assistant. Any counsel on how I can alleciate my fears?
Hi Mariah, Thank you so much for reaching out and sharing your journey with me! It's completely natural to feel anxious about starting a new chapter, especially one as important as becoming a special education teacher. Your passion for this field is already clear, and that will carry you far! ❤ Something to remember is that everyone starts somewhere, and teacher’s college is designed to help you grow and develop your skills. It’s okay not to know everything at the beginning. You should watch my video about student teaching, that should be helpful! You're going to make a fantastic special education teacher because of your dedication and passion for this work. Keep believing in yourself, and take it one step at a time. Remember to be so kind to yourself! You’ve got this! All the best, Samantha
Unfortunately that is a reality of teaching special education... or really any teaching job! It is mentally taxing, but very much worth it in my opinion! 💕
what are exactly do teachers consider special needs. In my way, if i was a special needs teacher, I would let the kids figure it out for themselves what they want and what they need. I will not and never ever let other people decide for them. They can help. But that is it, that is where I will draw the line. I will help you, but they got to decide that by themselves. I hate the excuse that just because some kids are "special' that means they need this or need that and they cant figure it out themselves. BS.
I just like your videos very much! They are super informative and more relevant to what a new teacher is experiencing. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
What was the questionnaire about? What kind of questions can be asked? Kindly explain. I have been selected as a spl ed teacher starting next month. I am a RBT certifies candidate with no teaching experience. Please share resources which can help me.
My questionnaire to the parents was about their child's likes/dislikes, strengths/weaknesses, etc. Things will help me get to know the student better! I hope that helps! Thanks so much for watching! 💕
We aren't allowed to have paras at the IEPs. Even the Speech aide that gives direct services to the student isn't allowed to be there unless the supervising SLP (who DOESN'T deliver services to the student) is there. Also if it's before or after school they won't come because it's out of their paid hours (and they usually have somewhere else to be). If it's during school (my prep period) I need them to be with the students at their elective. 😢
I totally understand this. It would be great if they could attend but it is always very hard to find coverage. One state that I worked in they were allowed to attend, and another state that I worked in they were not allowed to attend.
