Who is a special education teacher? A special education teacher is someone who is involved with teaching children with some disabilities varying from minor disabilities to major impairments. This job requires a lot of seriousness and background work.
But if you are here, then possibly you know all this already.
What you need to know is if you have what it takes to be a special education teacher. There are a few prerequisites for this job. It is expected that you have a strong sense of responsibility, are passionate about helping these children and ready to sacrifice petty issues for the greater cause.
If you think you have it in you, then here is how you can go on to fulfilling your dream.
Get Experience.
The moment you decide you are going for an education job with the special children, start getting experience. Working as a para-educator, that is working in a classroom side by side with a special education teacher as his or hr assistant is a good idea.
Get a Degree.
It is sad, but the truth is that there are few universities that offer courses in special education. Try and get into one of these if you will. Otherwise your only option is to get your bachelors’ degree in a relevant subject. This subject might vary from Math, English to smarter options like Sociology, Psychology etc.
Pick a Specific Disability to Focus on.
There are a number of disabilities. Do your research and find out which one you think you want to work with, and more importantly you will be able to work with. Teaching jobs for special children might mean teaching ones with emotional disabilities or physical. Disabilities may very from minor to moderate to severe. Impairment of speech, hearing and vision are also included as disabilities which will mean that you will need to teach yourself their language in order to communicate better.
Take the Praxis.
The Praxis II teaching examination for special education is something you will have to clear with flying colors. Different states will demand different scores for a teaching job that they might have to offer you. So plan ahead and do well in the exam.
Do an Internship.
Doing an internship in other fields and doing one in special education are different ballgames altogether. Doing an internship in special education means you will have to work full time in some classroom and will be expected to take your classes at the same time. This may sound taxing, but consider having a 2 years worth of work experience when you finish your course and it might seem a good idea. Add to it a good pay packet and there is no reason why you shouldn’t go for an internship.
Apply for a Job.
This will possibly be the easiest step yet. A teaching job in the field of special education is not hard to get provided you have followed the instructions well. Competition is less and opportunities are many. You are sure to be employed, and happily so with a very rewarding and noble profession.