Elementary education and special education?

Question

If you have a degree in elementary education, and further get a Masters in special education, are you able to teach at all levels or just elementary? Is there a demand for elementary special education?

Answer 1

There's always a demand for elementary special education teacher.  However, with all the budget cuts it will probably be more difficult to land a job no matter what level.

Just read an article in the paper about just this.  The article was talking about "one" school and staff changes that had to be made because of budget cuts.  The grade school "coach" is now teaching 3rd grade classes.  So on and so forth.

Teachers in this school are now teaching different grade levels that they never taught before while working there for 20 yrs.  With all the shifting around due to budget cuts, the two staff members that were cut were the school counselor and I believe the special education teacher.

The school coach continues to coach + teaching 3rd grade.  He continues to coach, because he did want to let the kids down.  

Like I said, the article was about "one" school.

Given the story about the coach, I think that pretty well answers that part of your question.

Schools determine who stays and who goes by seniority and union contracts.

Hope this doesn't totally get you down, but it's the economy for the reasons people are loosing their jobs.

Hang in there, because you just might get a job of choice.

Answer 2

I think that you can teach all levels.  Unfortunately, most people who work at school's special education programs actually don't have that much formal training.

Answer 3

State laws require state licenses and it is possible to get a dual license.  Today, a lot of special education students are "pushed into" regular education classes.  If you're an educator you've heard the words:  inclusion, mainstreaming and least restrictive environment.  When special education students are placed in a "regular" education classroom, usually a special education teacher is placed in the classroom also (depending on the number of students).  If you get a dual degree and license you would be an asset to any educational system, you would be able to teach in regular ed classes, special ed classes and/or inclusion classes.

Answer 4

you can't teach high school but i think there's a demand....but i'm not in special ed.....

Answer 5

If you get a degree in ESE education you can teach all  ESE kids in all grade levels (no matter if it's a master's or a bachelor's).  It really depends on your state, but I believe that most states are in need of special education teachers, elementary as well.  There are actually more elementary schools than middle and high schools, so I would imagine the majority of the jobs are in elementary.

Answer 6

It depends on the state in which you live.  Special education teachers burn out rather quickly, and most school systems of which I am aware complain about not having enough special educatio teachers.

Answer 7

There is a HUGE demand for special ed in all areas!  You should have no trouble finding a good position.

Answer 8

In order to teach Special Education at all levels I believe you would have to get it on your Teaching certificate. It really depends on the laws in your state and what they define as Highly qualified. Special Education is in Great demand in every single state! Good Luck!

Answer 9

When I went in to teaching, I had a degree in elementary education, about 6 years into my career, i changed schools, and received financial help so that i could get my master's in special education.   (I am in MIssouri)

Right now, I have a cert. that says i can still teach elementary education 1-8 grade and a cert for special education k-12.

Here's the rub, with changes in NCLB, (no child left behind), the state suggested (not mandated yet) that to teach spec. ed. in high school or middle school, you will need to have a specific certification in a subject area.  I currently teach Middle school 8th grade, and have a cert. in middle school social studies.  This is how appears to be moving but things could change.

There is always a need for special education teachers, at all levels.  I have taught both elementary sped. and middle school.  Since your question specifically asks about elelmentary education, I have a suggestion=== if it is possible, spend time in an elementary sped classroom for a week.  I found it to be one of the most difficult positions.  You have to make sure all of your IEP students are in for a designated time, you do not want upper and lower level classes to overlap, and you have to work around the schedules of all the teachers in the building.  (occassionally you will find some that are more flexible, and you have to remember not to take kids out of special classes (art music, pe etc)  and make sure you get your 20 minute lunch and plan time.I did not have a para, so it might be different for other teachers. And you have to plan for so many different levels of intelligence and abilities, and state tests, and be prepared to run out of the room for emotional distress issues of your students.

The hardest part though was the changing of the personalities.  I mean, you cannot use the same words, phrasology, personality, discipline policy, expectations , etc. with kindergarteners that you can with 4th-5th grade. I felt like i was a different person every time the classes changed.

Special education is very hard work, and very rewarding.  I love my students as if they were my own. Best of luck in your endeavers.