how is it going? I am still in school, but student teaching is fast approaching for me so I am trying to learn as much as I can. I hope things are going well for you!
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! 💕
Samantha, I recently got hired as a sped teacher and am nervous, excited... having mixed feelings. Thank you for all your advice and practical tips. I really truly appreciate it!!
I love this video. I’m in high school but I’m thinking about going into special education. I’m being constantly discouraged by everyone in my life but having these pointers makes me feel a bit more confident in my choices.
Thank you for this video! I am 43 and finishing up my SPED student teaching (final ST block). This is very helpful information. My mentor has only ever taught SPED, and is extremely organized and her paras are wonderful with 16 and 32 years of experience. Unfortunately, it is hard to find responsible paras out there these days. They were both off yesterday (test day as well, 1st grade), and we were able to get most testing done with just the of us (two students were absent, so that helped a little bit). I will be sitting in on my first IEP meeting this week, so I am excited to see how that goes (it is an initial meeting as well). It is a completely different environment than the same first grade gen ed. classroom that I was in. Thankfully behaviors are manageable right now, but I know that can change. I do have experience from working in preschool for the last 8 years, so I knew some of what to expect, but every day is a new adventure! I look forward to checking out more of your videos!
It sounds like you have a lot of exciting things coming your way! I hope the rest of your student teaching goes well and you find the job of your dreams. Thank you so much for watching and let me know if there is anything I can do to help!
Or, you can get a degree as a special education generalist which basically covers all disability areas. You can choose Mild to moderate, or moderate to severe. Special Education is an under served area of education so I thank you for committing your time to these students. I finished my masters in SPED recently and I truly love the work. Managing paras can be tricky, but you have to assume the role as their boss as you stated.
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?
What wish I knew...is that some parents will try anything they can to-project their difficulties with their children on to us...as if making teachers ‘lives difficult was alleviating their issues..only 1 year in I have had enough..this feels like abuse..
I was just hired as a special education teacher on a provisional license. I have no classroom experience at all, and have never written an IEP myself, as my bachelor's degree isn't in education, and I've only taken 15 credits of special education grad courses so far. I'm 55 years old and changing careers and very scared I'm going to fail miserably, I'm glad I was offered a job that pays more than I've ever made before but I'm wondering if I should pass it up and take a far lower paying teacher support position to get experience first, but i doubt i could afford that. Am I being overly concerned? Do you have any advice?
Good luck with your new position! Since you got the job they must see some great potential in you! 🙂 I think you should definitely give the job a try! It truly is a learn as you go job and if you give it your all and truly have the heart for it , you will succeed! I have a great playlist full of video advice for new special education teachers. Those would be extremely helpful!
Congratulations darling on your new job role. I believe you have have the potential for your new job positions hence the reason for the job and competitive salary.
Nice video! You're authentic, clear and quite inspiring... Just one question please: Why aren't you dictating your IEP's instead of typing them? I rarely type anything anymore. I dictate instead - heck, I'm even dictating this comment! Voice recognition works beautifully nowadays. Just something you may want to consider...
That’s a great idea! Honestly I had never even thought about it because most of the time my phone doesn’t understand what I am saying but I am sure there is better technology out there!
I’m a high school student and I am taking a class where I spend a lot of time with students in special ed my age. What is it like being a para compared to a the special ed teacher. In training and in practice
Great question. I have never personally been a para, only a special education teacher. I think the biggest difference is that a special education teacher has more responsibilities and typically must have a bachelors degree in special education. Paraprofessionals only need a high school degree (depending on where you are located). Special education teachers are in charge of the classroom and usually the paras too. As a special education teacher you must write all of the IEPs and be in charge of the IEP meetings. Para's don't have to attend IEP meetings or write IEPs.
How many kids do you have in your class? Also how often do you have IEP meetings outside of contract hours? Are you glad you chose special ed or do you ever wish you'd done general ed instead?
I have had 2 different special education teaching jobs. My first job I had 7-8 on a caseload (self-contained). My 2nd job I had 12-15 students (self-contained and resource). In my first job, all of my IEP meetings were held outside of contract hours. During my 2nd job all of the IEP meeting were held during my prep period. I am 100% glad I chose special education. I really don’t have a passion for teaching general education.
Hello ! I have a B.S In a non Ed degree but I have 2 years experience as a clinical and in home RBT do you think this is helpful getting into sped . I have great ongoing training with my roles as an RBT
Hello! Great question. Yes, being an RBT would definitely help with your future role of being a special education teacher. That is a really great thing to put on your resume. I wish you luck in the future! 💕
@@ActiviTeach thank you soo much for getting back to me ! I received a position for a special education teacher this year and will be starting in 2 weeks. I am so excited to start and so grateful for the opportunity . I plan to play to my strengths and pay attention and learn the things I don't know. Is there any way to private message you ?
I’m a special education paraprofessional and this is my 3rd year. Im getting my masters in special education right now. The only thing I didn’t like the wording you said when you said you are the “boss” of paras. Yes, 100% the teacher is in charge however as a paraprofessional, I will say treat your paras with respect! saying you are the “boss” makes it seem like paras are servants when it’s not the case. Paras are adults as well not students. Paras are so valuable and we are so underpaid it’s insane. In, my experience it works way better when paras and teachers work together as a team and are equals.
Boss is not a slang word and she was talking in literal terms as special ed teachers are the boss and in charge of paras as it is not the paras classroom and the para is not the one with the title as the special education teacher.
Mam i like to do phd in special education.. I have masters degree in computer acience and working as a computer teacher in a school for 8 years. Can you please tell whether I am eligible to do PhD in special education
Hello! Thank you for your comment. Unfortunately, I am not familiar at all with eligibility for college programs. Typically if you send your transcripts to the college you are interested in attending they will be able to tell you more. Thank you so much for watching! ❤
Hello! I would say the majority of special education teachers that I know were never paras. However, being a para before becoming a special education teacher would be the best possible situation to get the most experience!
