Special Education Teacher?

Question

Hi everyone! I just got my first job as a special education teacher in a K-8 school. My youngest students are 2nd graders, and then my oldest is a group of three 8th grade girls. There's a mix of disabilities (Learning Disabilities, ADHD, and two students with autism). I'm fresh out of college, but everyone at the school has been really helpful in getting me started and providing me with resources.

So my question is for students who have been through special education, or parents of students in special education. What do you expect from a special education teacher? What are some things that I could do to show my students and their parents that I care and am there to help? Anyone can answer, but I'd appreciate the views of those who have either been through special education, or a parent's views. Thanks!

Answer 1

As a parent of a special needs child, I expect my child's IEP to be followed because it is a 'binding document' that must be implemented. Good luck to you on your first year as a special education teacher.

Answer 2

hello i was in special ed and now i am 27 i been to school since 1984 so u could show students a postive imange in yourself and others i went to a really bad elementry school where they did not really have alot of good teachers and some did not think i was smart enough but... i am brillant in history but did not apply me for a scholarship which really made me furious i was the smartest in the whole school of history not that i am bragging about it is a true story i did not even get into the geogarphy bee in grade school so that really stinks u should  tell students not to be affaired of themselves or disabitlies so i hope u understand how i feel and what i been through .

Answer 3

I had good and bad special ed teachers myself.

The good ones did not use our disability histories against us when we did not immediately grasp a concept which they were attempting to teach us (ie the 'personal insults' style of teaching)

They were instead patient, kind, and proactively looked for inventive ways to present the material to students.

And they encouraged students to feel good about being a person with disabilities. They presented information about our legal rights under the special ed laws in age and comprehension-appropriate formats.

Because of these strategies, I still remember those good teachers fondly today.  

Answer 4

OK, well from speaking to your colleagues and looking through your induction pack and job spec you will quickly ascertain the answer to your question, however here is a run down of my own personal working policy:

Stay Calm and Collected in a crisis

Be aware of your body language at all times

Be aware of the needs of every pupil in your class, if not every child in the school and act accordingly

Keep your patience with challenging children

Keep a good rapport with all pupils where possible -there is always another way round it, after school clubs will help this relationship building.

Never ever shout -this signals that you have lost control and at this point you have no more cards to play

Always offer a variety of options all of which you are happy with (i call this a get out of jail free card), eg: John are you going to put that in your drawer out of the way, or give it to me? This way the pupil will (almost definately) put it in their drawer as giving it to you is the 'obedient' option, this way they feel they have 'won' but haven't.

Give an excited or irritated child time to calm down before they enter the class / you attempt to engage them

Bear in mind 'maslow's heirarchy of needs'.

Be clear and concise about rules (i prefer the term 'code of conduct' with 'We will...' Rather than 'Do Not')- agree these with your class, along with rewards and sanctions (refer to school policy). Be consistent.

Always keep good communication with parents, telephoning often, not just to say when 'John' has a bad day, but positive phone calls too to say when he has done well.

Be sensitive to home issues and try to offer support to parents/carers where possible.

Think hard about the layout of the classroom and its practicalities for the purpose of delivering, attention and working as well as the ability to remove children in an emergency (including restraint if this is part of your school policy).

Reward the kids for 'getting it right' spontaneously, this way they never know when a reward is coming so they need to try harder to behave in order to succeed.

Be flexible -no-one is perfect and they cant get it right 24/7. They are in a special school for a reason.

Support other staff (even when you're on your break), be prepared to sacrifice your time to help out another member of staff

I could go on for hrs but if all else fails email me and I'll send you a copy of my school practice code.

Answer 5

I'm the mom of an 11 year-old autistic boy and a 1st grade teacher.  I expect from my son's teacher what I would expect if I were a parent of a student in my classroom. I ask myself if I would be happy with me as my child's teacher if I were a parent.

So here are the specifics, first I expect that his teacher's follow the IEP. Like you know, this is the law, but trust me, it doesn't always happen.  I also expect that the teacher will understand that it is just as hard to raise him as it is to teach him. I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to yell at teachers at my school who say things like, "if only Johnny's parents would..." Well Johnny's parents are probably trying just as hard as his teacher. Please don't judge the child's parents thinking he would function more highly if they just......  It's like this: Does he function as highly as he does or at such a low level because of his parents?   You can't be certain.  I expect that his teacher won't overreact to small things.  He had a teacher in his 1st grade placement who was very upset that he had some harmless stimming behaviors.  Lastly, I expect good communication.  Please send home a daily communication book.  I like to hear the good things as well as the not so good.  

Good luck with your new position!.  It's a rewarding but difficult path!  It'll be worth it.  

Answer 6

As the parents of a special ed child and a founder of a large local support group for parents of special-needs children, the most important thing I think you can offer is true caring and concern for the students.  Understand that parents are the true experts on their children.  For the amount of time parents spend with a child, by the time the kiddo is about five years old, they have spent about the same amount of time with the kid as a teacher who has been on the job over 20 years.  Too often I see parental input disregarded to the child's detriment.

If your heart is in the right place and you always do right by the child and ignore any outside influences from administration to limit recommendations and/or services, you will be stellar.  Too often I have seen special education teachers, speech therapists, school psychologists, etc having to choose between helping a child and making her administration happy.  Budgets are tight these days and pressure to limit services is stronger than ever.  But we all win when the child is put first.

Thank you for what you do and for caring enough to ask for input.  Just by putting yourself out here and being open to input says a lot about your character!

Answer 7

As a parent of a boy with ADHD, I truly want my son's teacher to be very patient and loving. I think that is the most important for me.

Answer 8

Actually follow the IDEA laws, IEP plan, and stand up for the child.

Most times than not, administrators want the sped teachers to keep quiet about the childs problems so the parents won't push for more help.

And stand up for the child instead of being a puppet for the admins.

In your career you WILL face this.

LOTS of sped teachers get FIRED when they follow IDEA laws and stand up for the child.

Answer 9

You have to pay special attention to each child and their parents concerns. Yet, they want the IEP educational goals met.  That is the most important thing.  They want to know that their children are learning English and Math, not just how to tie a shoe.  They want to know that they are learning creative things as well.  There is much to be learned by singing a song with a group.  They want to know you are sensitive to the inclusiveness of their child.  Most importantly, they want to know their chidl is safe, as most of these kids cannot talk.

Answer 10

I've been a teacher for 11 years now.  I teach French but deal with Special Education students quite often.  Send out a letter to the parents letting them know the expections of your students but, include the fact that you are excited about assisting his/her student.  Send "postive" postcards home to the parents about the progress of the student every 3-4 weeks.  Never send the negative one's on a postcard.  Send out weekly e-mails (if it's not too much), about the student's behavior/progress.  DO NOT invite them into the classroom (I say that because you do NOT want to set yourself up for anything to go wrong on an unannounced visit)  however, if they come to you and ask allow them to do so (this way you're prepared).  Welcome to education and good luck.  Make it (the job) fun...don't let it make you.