Teaching is a Profession of Passion

1219 Words3 Pages

After working in the childcare profession for over ten years, teaching preschoolers, I was presented with the opportunity to go to work at a local elementary school. The class I was assigned to was for children with mild to moderate disabilities, assisting them with the academics and the social support needed to function in a general education setting. This was a life changing opportunity for me. As I sat in awe for the first few weeks, watching my new co-workers help these children with love, patents, and respect, I realized this is what I wanted to do! I have realized over the years that teaching is a profession of passion. No one becomes a teacher to get rich, or gain power. People become teachers because they have a love for children and they want to instill confidence, self worth and a love of learning in them. This is even more true of special education teachers. Although, becoming a special education teacher has it's challenges, such as the time and finical resources put into obtaining the credentials, to the continuing challenges faced when you find yourself in working in your dream job as a certified special education teacher, I know unequivocally that this is what I want to do.

According to the Mississippi department of Education, one may become a certified teacher in one of two ways. The traditional method is to participate in a teacher education program with an emphasis in special education. Student teaching is also required by the state department (Mississippi Department of Education). After obtaining a bachelors degree, the candidate must also pass the “Praxis II test 0354 subject area test for Special Education, as well as the Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching (choose 1 of 3)”(Mississippi Depart...

... middle of paper ...

...Web. 15 March 2014.

Berman, Jillian. “Federal Poverty Line Doesn't Adequately Reflect Cost Of Living In America, Analysis Finds”. Huffington Post. 03 July 2013. Web. 15 March 2014

Ocean Springs School District. Ocean Springs School District, approved 9-10-13. Web. 15 March 2014

Career Education Advisory. Special Education Teacher Career Facts and Working Environment 10 JANUARY 2013. Web. 15 March 2014

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 鉄services in School, “What Parents need to Know”.No.83 March 2011. Web. 15 March 2014

US Department of Education. US Department of Education. March 2013. Web. 15 March 2014

College Foundation of North Carolina. “The Need Grows for Special Education Teachers in the US”. 2011. Web. 15 March 2014

Ratcliff, Jennifer. “Re: What do you look for when hiring?” Message to Jennifer Pope. 17 March 2014. E-mail.

Open Document