Special Education Teachers
“No Child Left Behind requires states and school districts to ensure that all students are learning and are reaching their highest potential. Special education students should not be left out of these accountability mechanisms” (Dianne Feinstein). Dianne Feinstein is an American politician, mayor and senator who has had an impact on the special education program in schools in which one she was named after. Special education students are often misunderstood by many, but in reality they are just like every other student, maybe even smarter. They are able to prove many people wrong about how strong and skilled they can be. Special education teachers are also able to create an impact and inspiration on others. Special
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All students deserve the equal opportunity to learn even though they require more help than others, so it is necessary to have special education teachers to be able to provide this equal opportunity. After receiving their bachelor’s or master’s degree, special education teachers are now able to enlightened the minds of special needs students by giving them the acknowledgement of basic life skills, and educational subjects while also showing the students ambition, patience, kindness and support. While teaching is a passionate career for some, advancing forward into special education is an opportunity that can provide more involvement and achievement in the special education program. Also, while advancing a career in special education, traveling to different facilities and schools allows educators to evaluate many different students who have different disabilities. Special education teacher’s impact students with special needs by providing them with knowledge and other skills needed for their lives, therefore, establishing awareness of the educational requirements, job responsibilities, job advancements and travel opportunities signifies all the time and labor …show more content…
“Special education teachers must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the discipline for which they receive their teaching credential. Many special education teachers also have a master’s in special education” (“Special Education Teacher”). Special education teachers require a bachelor’s or master’s degree just like any other teacher. It is very important to have these degrees when becoming a teacher because teachers need to be educated correctly in order to educate others. If teachers are not educated correctly then the result of that classroom would not be successful because the teacher would not have provided their students with their correct way of learning. “Licensed teachers have completed a teacher education program leading to special education licensure in addition to the general teacher education training program for the teaching credential. The special education teacher program [includes] a supervised field practicum and course work in the different disabilities” (“Special Education Teacher”). To become a special education teacher, required courses about special education and the different disabilities a future student may have, must be completed. It is important to have the knowledge about educating students with different disabilities because immobile students will not learn in the same way as a student with an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Teachers
A longstanding national issue that continues to concern the public is the disproportionate representation of children from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds in special education. The fact is that the proportion of minority students in the population of school-age children has risen dramatically to over 35%, which is increasing the diversity of students in many public schools throughout the nation. This makes the phenomenon of disproportionality especially troubling. With a growing population of minority children comprising a greater percentage of public school students, we must be responsive to the growing needs of an increasingly diverse society. The overrepresentation of minority students in special education has been posed as an issue for more than 3 decades, but it is worth asking whether the efforts of legislative actions, educational reforms and legal challenges have really made improvements to this issue. More importantly, disproportionality should be examined as a correlation to underlying conditions that can pose a great effect upon not only the quality of a child’s education, but also ______.
Did you know that over two thirds of special education students receive services for non-mental health issues, among these students 17% have serious behavior as well as emotional issues compared to over 51% of special education students with mental health issues and 4% of students not in special education (Pastor and Ruben)? My research paper will first explain what Special Education actually is and it will focus on the issues that arise when disciplinary actions are called for and what is to be considered the most appropriate and effective forms of discipline in special education. It will also cover the most common issues that arise in special education as well as what strategies are effectively administered to solve these issues. My research paper will also take an in-depth look into special education students with non-mental health issues. It also will look at some misconceptions of special education students.
The education system is arguably the most beneficial system in the world; however, it also contains many controversial practices. Proper funding, discrimination, and curriculum are just some of the problems in today’s education system. Everyone has a different opinion about what is best for our children and it is impossible to please everyone. As long as the educational system is in tact, then there will be confusion and debate within the system and its’ administrators. The only thing that can be done is attempting to make it so that everyone will benefit equally, but this is much more difficult than one would assume. I will focus on the aspect of discrimination on minorities within special education and more specifically the following questions: Does the special education system discriminate against minorities? If so, how? What can be done, if anything, to correct or improve this system?
The students in our classrooms, both special education and general education classrooms, require individualized education to reach their full potential. Each child’s potential is different just as each child’s road to reach it is different. Our job as teachers is to be there for the student’s to help them reach their potential through their own unique way.
One obstacle that I believe many special needs students and families will face is understanding and dealing with the disability itself. Speaking from experience, this process can take time to understand and accept. This is where a special education teacher plays a significant role, assisting the student and family with information and support for understanding the student’s disability, facilitating education programs, and most importantly hope and progress for a bright future. Another obstacles that students with disabilities may face, is social interaction and acceptance. It is vital that all special education teachers and programs, try to incorporate strong social connections with their regular education peers and other community members and
Two years ago, I embarked on a journey that would teach me more than I had ever imagined. As a recent college graduate, I was thrilled to finally begin my teaching career in a field I have always held close to my heart. My first two years as a special education teacher presented countless challenges, however, it also brought me great fulfillment and deepened my passion for teaching students with special needs. The experiences I have had both before and after this pivotal point in my life have undoubtedly influenced my desire to further my career in the field of special education.
The large special education student population combined with the administrative and staff turnover has posed a challenge. Ensuring all teachers and staff have the essential knowledgebase is vital, however my current role generates time restraints. EXTERNAL CONTEXT AND POLICY Education leaders influence political, social, economic, legal and cultural contexts affecting education to improve education policies and practices (6A) Understanding and Communicating Policy correlates with action plan. I will inform all members of the current legal mandates established by federal law, as safeguarding student rights is imperative. I will attend IEP and MD meetings to ensure federal mandates are applied to each child’s education pathway.
Kauffman brings up an excellent point, why isn’t the government comparing children that receive special education to those children who don’t receive special education. Wouldn’t it make sense to compare two things that are similar instead of trying to compare two things that are no way alike? Why don’t we focus on making special education as good as it can be? We should work to make sure students with disabilities learn everything they can at their own speed in special education (Kauffman, 2003 p. 3). Not scraping the whole system. Basically general education students are the wrong comparison to determine if the special education system is working or not. “The PCESE asked the wrong question and suggested dedicating ourselves to closing the wrong gap. Their approach is about as helpful as dedicating ourselves to closing the gap between 5 and 7” (Kauffman, 2003 p. 3).
During the late 1980’s and 1990’s the number of children with learning disabilities receiving special education services grew rapidly, but during 1998 and 2007 the number of children classified as having a LD has declined by 7% (Cortiella, 2009). “In 2007, 59% of students with LD spent 80% or more of their in-school time in general education classrooms. In 2000, that figure was just 40%” (Cortiella, 2009). In addition, students with disabilities are spending more time with students in traditional classroom settings. According to the Department of Education, “approximately 6 million children (roughly 10 percent of all school-aged children) receive special education services” (Pardini, 2011).
What is special education? The common belief is that it a program only dedicated to helping students with disabilities, whether physical or mentally. This is not entirely accurate in regards of what special education is. While special education does provide assistance to students with disabilities ns meet their needs in quality education (Küpper 2009)—the program extends to all students facing difficulties keeping up with the pace of learning (Huerta 2009). This brings the next question onto the table: the importance of special education. Before 1970s, majority of students with disabilities were shun into isolation with little to no education in general classes (Bradley 2016). However, with the passage of Education for All Handicapped Children
A man or woman can be a special education teacher as long as you have the heart and desire to work with unique individuals (Godwin). There aren’t any age requirements associated with becoming a special education teacher as long as you have the necessary skills and required education to pursue this career. There also aren’t any health and physical qualifications associated with becoming a special education teacher. Personality plays a significant role in becoming a special education teacher. One who wishes to become a special education teacher should demonstrate various personality traits including: integrity, trustworthiness, respect, compassion , justice, fairness, responsibility, courage, self-discipline, diligence, and citizenship (Careers with Characteristics). Special Education teachers gain experience in preparing lesson plans as well as learning how to teach students with disabilities during student teaching. Someone interested in becoming a special education teacher needs to have an aptitude in not only communication and critical-thinking but also interpersonal skills, as well. Special education teachers must also acquire a Bachelor’s degree. They also may major in elementary education and minor in special education. The most common methods of entry in this career are obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in addition to acquiring a general license in special
Writing this final essay for this course one is able to reflection on the knowledge one has gained since the beginning of the course. This course has been affective and the benefits are using the information immediately to correct mistakes and grow in the profession. After interviewing attorneys and director’s special in the education program the reality of how important following the regulations are important and must be followed. As a special educator one is more prepared and ready to provide a first rate education. Everyone who works with special needs students should be prepared and understand the law taking a class in Law and Litigation is recommended.
There are numerous careers related to special needs, all of which require different schooling, training, mentorships, and other types of preparation. Any type of job working with children with mental and physical disabilities can be challenging but also very rewarding when one sees the child improve (Tyrer, 2007). Different types of careers affect special needs children in different ways. For example a teacher will help them thrive in school, while other careers may help the kids improve at home or in a public setting. Special needs workers should be creative, flexible, and personable to be able to meet the needs of the child and also provide useful information for the child’s parents. It is important for one to at least complete minimal required training so one will be fully prepared to work with a child with any type of delay. Often children in schools do not improve at a higher rate because their teacher may not have the necessary training to assist them (Marković, 2014). No matter what special needs career someone chooses, everyone should have one common goal: to help special needs children thrive. Marković from the article “Work with Kids with Special Needs” puts it perfectly when she states, “the main aim is that children with disabilities get the chance to grow, learn, and socialize with children with normal development, and that these children can adapt and learn together with children with special needs. In this way, they develop understanding, tolerance, and humanity” (Marković,
There is so much to know about special education that is separate from teaching in a traditional classroom. One thing that has really stood out to me is how many acronyms and terminology these teachers need to know. IEP, LRE, IDEA, FAPE, IFSP, and that is just to name a few (DREDF, 2017). Special education teachers, really need to be knowledgeable about a ton of things. Not only all of the terminology associated with special education, but about disabilities and the best way to go about educating a child with disabilities. When working with children in special education, there will be students of all ages with all kinds of disabilities and different ability levels that you are teaching. It is important to know about each child’s disabilities, what they should be learning and how they should be learning it. There may be times that are challenging education students with disabilities, but when a teacher properly educates themselves on all the aspects of special education and the resources out there for them, it may help make your classroom run more smoothly and easier to
Special Education is the education of students with special needs in a way that addresses the students’ individual differences and needs. And it is a specially designed instruction that meets the needs of students with disabilities as they attend to school, it also includes related services and supplementary aids and services. It helps every student with disabilities to have a chance to learn and showcase their own talent and intelligence. Without these students, Special Education wouldn’t be an organization or community who are willing to help these students with disabilities to learn and to attain their needs.