My life...?

Question

i want to be a special education teacher. what college courses do i need to take? how many years of college do you think i will have???

Answer 1

The first year is the same about as anyone else.  Just getting the basics out of the way.  

The second year you will take more psychology, children's literature, elementary level math class,  and introduction to education courses, among others.  Twenty or so hours of classroom observation will be required  You may be required to take a test at the end of your sophomore year.  (It's easier than the SATs and most don't have issues with it.  It's a state-by-state requirement and it can frequently change.  Worry about it when you get there.)

Your junior level will be 90% or more of education classes.  Youl will spend about a day a week in the classroom for most, but not all of the semester.  (This is a good time to begin putting together a basic teacher wardrobe.)  You complete the paperwork to request student teaching.

Your senior year is usually divided into two parts with some variation of this.  At the very beginning of the semester, you receive your student teaching placement, take a health exam, complete a criminal background check, etc.  Then you complete your classes with a full day in the classroom for the first semester.  The second semester you spend about 15 weeks in the classroom full-time.  You begin teaching say, science.  Then you add on math.  Then reading and on and on.  The last two weeks the kids and planning are yours.  The  regular teacher and a college mentor/professor of sorts will be there to coach and encourage you.  The last few days are really easy as the teacher transitions back into teaching the kids.  

You don't have a huge amount of say-so with electives for teaching. Most of the coursework is laid out for you at college orientation.  I only had one FREE elective.  Mostly, it's take the stuff required for graduation.  

If you want, you can very easily graduate in three years by going to summer school and/or scoring well in AP courses.  Take as many sign language and/or Spanish courses as allowed or interested in.  They will certainly help later on.

Answer 2

4 years of college are the minimum for the Bachelor's degree required by most states in the USA to become a certified teacher.

The special education teacher must be proficient in the language of the community where he or she works and have a record free of criminal offenses.  English, Reading and Language Arts, United States History, and Mathematics are major subjects which must be mastered by all grade teachers. In addition the teacher who works with children with special needs must have a vast understanding of Psychology, Sociology, Human Growth and Development, Nutritional needs of children and effective classroom management techniques and teaching methods. At the end of such a course, a student teaching practice is always required before certification can be granted.

Answer 3

You basically take the same level of classes a K-12 teacher earns.

But because its special education you may be required to take extra courses specifically for special education.

*note just because a student is mentally challenge, you have to consider physical disabilities as a part of a students IEP's

Answer 4

you need to do one of those PGCE things, thats what its called in the UK anyway, it can be from 2+years, depending where you go i guess!

Answer 5

I am right there with you on that one....

I think you can still get through with 4 years of college...

if my memory serves me correctly you still take most of the regular education courses and about the last 18 months going into specialization classes.

I have about 20 classes left to take, but don't know when I will ever get to do it...

however, i do work in sped in a public school... I love it!!!!!!!!!!!

Just only have assistant...*paraprofessional* level...