how does my desired course of special education study prepare me to be an educator

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How to become a special education teacher?

5 Simple steps to becoming a special education teacher 1. Enroll in a teaching program that meets your needs 2. Student teach and build experience 3. Become certified 4. Land a job 5. Continuing education

What does a special education teacher do on a daily basis?

Essentially, your job as a special educator will require you to be familiar with all types of disabilities, as well as how to properly handle issues surrounding each one. On a daily basis, you may assume the roles of a teacher, a counselor, a support system, or an event coordinator.

What do people say when you tell them your special education major?

People usually will say “Wow, that’s great” and obviously, “Congratulations!”. When people first ask me what I am majoring in at school and I say Special Education, usually the first thing that comes out of their mouth after that is either, “Wow, you must have a lot of patience”, or even, “That’s a really tough job, good for you.”

Do you need a master's degree in special education?

Some positions prefer or require a master's degree in special education, especially those in leadership roles. A state-approved educator preparation program usually prepares students to meet all or most of the state's certification requirements.

What motivates you to become a special education teacher?

Perhaps one of the foremost reasons to be a special education teacher is the chance to positively impact the lives of children with disabilities, developmental delays, and learning disorders.

What are the preparation you need to do to become a better educator?

CONTACT USFocus on the Subject Matter and the Students' Learning. ... Try Something New. ... Make Use of Tutoring. ... Improve Your Performance. ... Reading & participating – Just as students learn through reading homework assignments, so too should teachers strive to do homework by picking up a good book of their own.More items...•

Why is special education important to a teacher?

A master's in special education not only increases your earning potential, but it also puts you at the top of the candidate pool for teaching jobs. It provides you with tools for providing person-centered education and better adapting lessons based on different learning types and levels.

What is your goal as a special education teacher?

The goal for a special education teacher is to prepare the student to make the transition from grade to grade and after graduation, sometimes up to 21 years of age. They teach academic skills, social etiquette, basic life skills, job skills, behavioral management, and emotional regulation to children with disabilities.

Why is it important to prepare and plan before you assess?

Preparation ensures that you complete the test to the best of your ability. You can prepare by reviewing the topics and materials through the resources that are available to you. It is also important to setup for success through healthy habits…more on that coming up!

How will you prepare yourself for the real world of work as a professional teacher?

Here are a dozen things successful teachers do.Believe In Your Students' Potential. A teacher's success begins with the success of their students. ... Learn Everything You Can About Your Field. ... Be Fun and Energetic. ... Take Risks. ... Be Creative and Think Outside The Box. ... Be Consistent and Decisive. ... Always be Up-To-Date. ... Communicate.More items...•

What is the importance of studying special and inclusive education?

Inclusive education (when practiced well) is very important because: All children are able to be part of their community and develop a sense of belonging and become better prepared for life in the community as children and adults. It provides better opportunities for learning.

Why is special education an important part of the basic education program?

Special education allows for some tolerance of these behaviors within the instructional environment, as teachers work to educate the student academically and behaviorally. Students who are overly aggressive or exhibit behaviors that are socially inappropriate benefit from special education programs.

What is the purpose of special education and why is it important?

Special education serves children with emotional, behavioral, or cognitive impairments or with intellectual, hearing, vision, speech, or learning disabilities; gifted children with advanced academic abilities; and children with orthopedic or neurological impairments.

What are the goals and objectives of special education Program of the Department of education?

The Institutionalization aims to provide access to basic education among children with special needs, namely, the gifted/talented, the mentally retarded, the visually impaired, the hearing impaired, the orthopedically handicapped, the learning disabled, the speech defectives, the children with behavior problems, the ...

What are the four major goals of special education?

The framework regards academic goals as the means for achieving other outcomes, namely the four outcomes that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) declared: equality of opportunity, full par- ticipation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency.

How do you write goals and objectives for special education?

SMART IEP goals and objectives Write down several statements about what you want your child to know and be able to do. Revise these statements into goals that are specific, measurable, use action words, are realistic, and time-limited. Break down each goal into a few measurable short-term steps.

What degree do you need to be a special education teacher?

All public schools require their special education teachers to hold a Bachelor’s degree, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Public schools aren’t the only option for special education teachers, however. Some jobs may not require a four-year degree, such as working for a childcare center, preschool or individual families.

Do I need a license to teach in a public school?

Some private schools and childcare centers don’t require a license, so be sure to dig into the rules for your state and desired place of employment.

Do I need to be a teacher to become a public school teacher?

Once your education is underway at your chosen degree program, you’ll likely need to get some hands-on experience through student teaching. This training is required to become a public school teacher in certain states, but it doesn’t hurt to have the extra experience even if it’s not required by law.

Is special education a good job?

Now that all the educational requirements are out of the way, your path is clear to begin working in the field. The BLS expects special education teachers to have good job opportunities in the coming years. “Job opportunities also may be better in certain specialties, such as those requiring experience with early childhood intervention and skills in working with students who have multiple disabilities, severe disabilities or autism spectrum disorders.”

What are the characteristics of a special education teacher?

The most successful special education teachers have these traits: 1 Passion: A dedicated teacher will work through challenges and keep going. 2 Patience: Students can take longer to complete tasks or comprehend information. 3 Acceptance: The students will have diverse challenges, which requires the teacher to be accepting of all students. 4 Organization: Special education teachers not only manage individualized education plans (IEP) and paperwork but also need to create an environment that meets the students' diverse needs. 5 Flexibility: Situations will come up that demand the teacher to adapt on the fly. 6 Even Temper: When a student has an outburst, the teacher must remain calm to properly address the situation. 7 Creativity: Successful teachers find multiple ways to teach a single topic to best reach their students' varied needs and learning styles. 8 Sense of Humor: Finding opportunities to laugh and have fun create a cheerful environment for students.

What is special education teacher?

Organization: Special education teachers not only manage individualized education plans (IEP) and paperwork but also need to create an environment that meets the students' diverse needs. Flexibility: Situations will come up that demand the teacher to adapt on the fly.

What degree do you need to teach special education in Missouri?

The Compendium of Missouri Certification Requirements lists all the requirements. Teaching special education in Missouri requires the following: Baccalaureate degree from an education program approved by the state education agency.

Does Missouri have a teacher shortage?

The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education has identified teacher shortage areas across the U.S. This list reveals that Missouri needs more highly qualified special education teachers. Only about half of its special education teachers are highly qualified, according to a 2014 U.S. Department of Education report.

What is the job of a special education teacher?

One of your main responsibilities as a special educator is to create individualized educational plans (IEP) for students with disabilities. Aside from grading papers, creating homework assignments, and developing other interactive tasks, IEPs require extra time to prepare and review since each one is specifically designed to challenge and improve a single student's educational career. A regular K-12 teacher will have the luxury of standardized tests and textbook guidelines, but your expertise will call for unique lesson plans and performance reviews that will then need to be presented to parents and school boards. Your materials are not something that can be duplicated or applied to all students, so accepting that additional paperwork and time is a part of the job will help keep you sane during those long nights at the printer.

What is the best way to work with special needs students?

The old saying, "Patience is a virtue," has never been more true when applied to this setting. Working with special needs students requires a strong sense of understanding, having the wherewithal to accept that everyone's needs are different and that each person requires their own sort of attention. ...

Is special education rewarding?

Special education is a rewarding field with many benefits and challenges. As a teacher in this field, you'll face a variety of obstacles that require a particular kind of focus and patience, but within those experiences, you'll also receive a feeling of accomplishment.

Is there a person first language for disability?

Within any field related to disabilities, there are many words that should never be used. In the past, adopting a person-first language was accepted as the correct way to address those with disabilities, offering a form of respect that separates them from the disability itself. However, as time went on, a new form has emerged that places identity with the disability at the forefront of the conversation. Identity-first language has become a mainstream practice among disabled communities, adopting a personal claim to the circumstances one faces. That being said, both practices are still used when speaking and referring to others with disabilities, but knowing which one your students and parents prefer will help you become a better leader and advocate for everyone in the long run.

What do people say when they graduate high school?

So of course, when you are graduating high school and going into college, everyone wants to know what you are majoring in. People usually will say “Wow, that’s great” and obviously, “Congratulations!”. When people first ask me what I am majoring in at school and I say Special Education, usually the first thing that comes out of their mouth after that is either, “Wow, you must have a lot of patience”, or even, “That’s a really tough job, good for you.” It is so much more than that.

Why are teachers important?

Teachers are a part of everyone’s lives no matter what they are doing. It is their job to help make a difference in their student's lives. You are in school from pre-school, to high school and even college. Everyone has a lot of teachers in their lives that help them along the way.

Do all kids have teachers?

All kids go to school and have teachers. Other than parents, we are the ones that nurture the students and teach them to help them be whatever we want to be. Teachers teach the presidents, doctors, nurses, policeman, and even teach future teachers. Teachers are a part of everyone’s lives no matter what they are doing.

How to Answer the 'How Has Your College Education Prepared You for This Job' Interview Question

Discuss Relevant Activities: In order to answer this question- you can talk about any academic activities you have done that you felt really prepared you to work. For instance- you can talk about specific projects you've had that really tied to real world examples.

Sample 'How Has Your College Education Prepared You for This Job' Interview Answers

1. My college education has exceptionally prepared me for a smooth transition from school to work by providing me with the skills necessary to succeed. On my first internship- I honed in on my marketing skills by developing useful strategies with a team.

What is special education degree?

A special education degree from California University of Pennsylvania is a great investment in your future. Whether you want to teach special education in elementary school or middle school, or want to earn a bachelor’s degree that qualifies you for many other exciting employment opportunities serving individuals with disabilities, we’ve got you covered. Here are the Top 10 reasons to get a special Education Degree from Cal U.

Why do special education teachers need a bachelor's degree?

All education professionals are committed to learning, but in special education, a bachelor’s degree is just the beginning. Each student with special needs presents a unique combination of gifts and challenges – and a new incentive for his or her teachers to learn more. As we’ve seen with autism in recent years, scientific study and practitioners’ experiences result in new insights, which in turn encourage teachers to become lifelong learners, even after they leave Cal U. Sometimes special education professionals develop an interest in a particular subject and decide to improve their education in order to transition their careers toward this new professional focus. Many bachelor’s degree holders eventually return to Cal U to attain a master’s degree due to the many doors a graduate degree can open .

Why do Cal U graduates go back to school?

Job promotion is just one of the many reasons that Cal U graduates working in special education may return to school for a graduate degree at some point in their careers.

What are the benefits of special education?

Special education professionals often report that one benefit of a special education classroom is the small class size, which allows the teacher to truly get to know his or her students. In addition to smaller class sizes, special education teachers often have a classroom aide or other specialist in the room, so the teacher can take time to address an individual student’s needs without worrying that such one-to-one attention is taking away from the group as a whole. This degree of personal investment and attention to the individual is crucial in a special education classroom, and it creates lifelong bonds that both the student and teacher find meaningful and rewarding.

Is special education rewarding?

Special Education Is Meaningful and Rewarding. Most people who receive a bachelor’s degree in special education are committed to working with individuals with disabilities.

Does California University of Pennsylvania have special education?

California University of Pennsylvania certainly is proud of its many graduates who go on to work as special education teachers. However, many people are unaware of the wide selection of career options available with a special education degree.

Is special education a team effort?

Special Education Is a Team Effort. A special education teacher is not alone in figuring out the best way to respond to an individual or a class. In fact, special education programs have always emphasized the value of a team approach.

Why do special education teachers work?

Special education teachers are uniquely trained to support the learning needs of students with disabilities and to ensure their educational, behavioral, social, and emotional success . Becoming a special education teacher is a rewarding career that provides several benefits.

What are the blessings of being a special education teacher?

One of the biggest blessings to being a teacher is the ability to make a difference every single day. As a special education teacher, you will get to teach your students’ academic, social, and behavioral skills that they will use throughout their lives. The simple lessons you teach every day will have a lifelong impact for your students.

What is the opportunity to be a lifelong learner?

As a special education teacher, you will be encouraged to continue learning through attending professional developments and networking with other teachers. In addition, you will learn daily life lessons from your students.

Why is it important to have a small class size in special education?

The small class size and increased time working with students will allow you to build strong relationships with your students and their families.

Is there a shortage of special education teachers in Colorado?

Currently in Colorado (and throughout the United States), there is a significant shortage of special education teachers (Colorado Department of Higher Education, 2017). As a certified special education teacher, you will be in demand by school districts.

Why is it important to keep in mind when trying to help students learn?

One of the most important things to keep in mind when trying to help students learn is that the same thing doesn't always work for different individuals. In order to be an effective instructor and to design curriculum materials that will be helpful for a wide range of students, educators must be able to clearly assess what works for whom (and in what distinct academic settings).

Is education frustrating?

While it's incredibly rewarding every time you get to see a student learn something new or develop some of their core skills, education can also be frustrating at times. You'll need to be patient when students need a little extra help with a lesson or activity, and you should also be willing to examine whether course materials or your teaching style need to be adjusted for certain students and situations.