Who Wants to be a special education teacher?

Question

I want to really bad but I don't know a thing about employment like college, where to teach, or wage. Please help and please do not post any negative comments about special education students.

Answer 1

your wage should be the least of your concern.

If you really want to teach speacial ed kids.

all you need is patience and

heart!

Answer 2

You need a Bachelor's degree in anything (for grades 7-12) or Education (for grades K-6), plus an extra year for the credential, in some states.  For preschool you need an Early Childhood Education credential, plus some extra classes for Special Ed.

You can teach in public or private schools, non-public schools like day treatment centers, mental hospitals, state schools for those with retardation, residential treatment centers, or in people's homes, as a home teacher.

The wages are the same as for regular teachers, usually. They are higher in public schools than in the other settings, usually because public schools are more likely to have teacher's unions to increase salaries. In the US the wages start at about $35, 000 and go up to $75,000 with experience and longevity.

Answer 3

My mom is a special ed teacher in CA so I can tell you the way in which to get a degree here.  First you need a BA, pass the CBEST test and the CSET and enroll in a graduate college specializing tion in special ed.  As far as wage goes that it depended on the type of degree you have and the wages in the particular school district (my older sister just started teaching, though not special ed. and is making about 45.000 a year).  You also have to realize that in addition to teaching the kids, you also have to administer IEPs on a yearly basis for each kid and a massive test to reevaluate the kid every three years.  You also have to deal with a school district that might not realize that your kids are not functioning at the same level as the regular kids (oh the stories I could tell).  I would seriously looking to the average life of a special ed teacher in your area before deciding that this is the career for you.  You can also get some help with your degree by volunteering at a local school (special ed teacher can always use the help).  They can put you on the right path and help you get a job after you finish school.

Answer 4

Go for it. If you have the 'calling', it's a very rewarding career.  If you do ABA, you can become a consultant and make very good money.

Answer 5

I have worked with special ed for many years and have enjoyed the work. I now teach privately and also work as a Caregiver. They pay is not real good at schools or institutions, but I do fine and have flexible hours.

Answer 6

There are fewer and fewer special education teachers anymore because so many schools are going with the "full immersion" model, meaning that special ed students are in regular classes, usually with an aide to assist them.

On that note, my mother does is an aide to special ed students, and after hearing some of her horror stories, I'll stick with my web tech job.  ;)

Answer 7

Public schools who have their special ed children in regular classrooms are violating the federal special ed law IDEA  

IF the child NEEDS to be in a sped room instead of the regular classroom.

They always put kids in the same box when obviously all kids are not like this.

THey do this to save money, not because they care about the children.

If they cared about the children they would put the ones who NEED it in the sped classes.

Yes the IDEA law DOES state that when a child FIRST qualifies for special ed they are to be put in a regular classroom FIRST, with the needed help as specified by their IEP plan to see if they succeed in this placement.

But if they don't,  THEN  they are to be put in a more restrictive environment such as the sped classroom.

HOW can a SPED student suceed WITHOUT a sped teacher?   Some reg ed classes DO have sped teachers in them, but as one poster mentioned here, some have aides instead who have NOT been formally trained in special ed.

Lots of times the school who has sped kids in reg ed classes lie and say the child IS progressing when they are NOT, just so they can save money.

Answer 8

I would suggest volunteering in your local schools and/or special needs population, such as a respite care worker or adult foster care worker.  Special ed is a challenging and rewarding field.  I honestly believe that it takes more than patience and heart (those are important though.)  A sense of humor is extremely important.  Many a day I have left my classroom at the end of the day with bumps, bruises, the occasional blood stain, etc.  And even on those days I can honestly say that I LOVE my job.  It takes passion and a thick skin.  The paperwork is daunting, but to see progress in a student whom most of the world has given up on is incredible.  To see a student change his mindset from "I can't"  to "I'll try" to "I did" is awesome.  

While many states and districts have shifted to full inclusion, many continue to realize that is not the students least restrictive environment.  I teach at a center based program, and for my students, it is their least restrictive environment.

Check out the websites for your local districts and colleges.  Try to talk to some teachers or academic advisors at a college.  If becoming a special ed teacher is truly what you want to do you should do some heavy investigating.  

As far as salaries go, many of the local districts or their representative unions post pay scales online.  www.nea.org also has a great deal of info.

I wish you the best of luck

Answer 9

In order to answer your questions, we'd need to know where you are in the country.  Which college to attend, where to teach, and how much you'll make depends on where you live.  I went to a university in PA and teach in MD.  There are tons of great colleges for education throughout the country, so that part shouldn't be too difficult.  

Where to teach will depend on you.  Are you the type of person who can handle teaching in an inner city school district, or would you rather stay in suburban areas?  Your salary will depend on the school district you choose to work in.  I know the district I work in doesn't have a lot of money, but I really like my students and co-workers.

In response to another person's answer, you are 100% correct about school going toward full inclusion.  However, special education teachers are still needed!  In my district, we co-teach with the general education teachers.  Plus there are always those students whose needs cannot be met in the general education setting.

I hope you pursue this; it's the most awarding job!  Just remember, students with special needs make small steps, so reward everything!