Should I become a special education teacher?

Question

I'm not certified and I'm finishing my BA in Child Development and considering a masters program in special ed with certification. My son and brother are autistic and I want to help others. Will empathy and understanding make me a good special ed teacher?

Answer 1

Yes absolutely.  I myself have been a special education teacher and two of my cousins have disabilities. (autism and down syndrome). Caring, patience and understanding are required or you will never get through to the student. You of course would know this because of your experiences. In the end becoming a teacher of special education will teach you soo much and you will have the most wonderful feeling after a long day.

Answer 2

yes!! i have a friend who's going to school to be a special ed teacher and she said you need to have a lot of patience, compassion, and understanding- everything that it sounds like you have! i say go for it, you'll be a great teacher!

Answer 3

The fastest growing area of special education is birth through kindergarten! Shorter pathway to certification, too, at the undergraduate level... probably in less than 12 hours.

Answer 4

Maybe.  Just remember your role as a professional and refrain from the special needs parental habit of talking about your personal situation ad nauseam.

Answer 5

i think having autism run in the family is great experience. i know one of my teachers has a brother w/ disabilities and its helped her understand more about what we go through. And shes just wonderful and a great teacher! i also want to do something to help others by teaching when i get older and i have been through alot and my sister has epilepsy and cerebal palsy and people give us sh*t all the time and it just makes us stronger. i think it would be wonderfull for you to do and i totally encourage it 100%!!!

<3 and good luck!!!

Answer 6

yes. you could absolutely do that:)