Have Masters in Special Ed....but I don't want to teach Special Ed?? I do have a BS in Childhood question...?

Question

I have a Masters in Special Ed. and a BS in Childhood education. I was never interested in teaching Special Education, but wanted to get my Masters in it to learn more about special ed because while getting my BS, I was never exposed to it. I am going to be applying to jobs soon in Las Vegas and I'm afraid they are going to put me in a Special Ed. position. How can I say that I don't want to teach Special Ed and want to teach General Ed. without sounding ruid and getting turned down completely. I only wanted to get my Masters in Special Ed. so that I could better assist students that were having difficulty in my general ed. classes and to learn more about Special Ed...but now with everyone wanting people who have a special ed. background, I feel like I have messed my chances up in getting into a classroom that I want (regular ed grades 1-6).

Answer 1

It will be difficult, since the need is so great in Special Ed. and that's where a great many of the vacancies are. One thing you might want to try is not to mention that your master's degree is in special ed. in the cover letter when you first write for an interview for a regular ed. position. Of course you will have to include it in your application for the school district, since it will affect your pay, but by then some principal who is not hiring for special ed. may love the idea of getting a teacher like you who wanted a more in-depth background.

Answer 2

IF you don't want to do Special Ed and only want to do Early Childhood, then just apply for Early Childhood position. However, I don't think that you can teach Elementary without an Elementary license. I would go back and see how many classes it would take to get the El Ed. I have a Masters in Special Ed and I took three classes and was able to get the El ed license.