special education teacher Archives

Special Education Teacher, Thank You

Thank you for the times you break your heart reading the case file of one of your students. In those early morning hours before the school comes alive, I know you have cried for them. I know about the clothes you buy for your students with your own money only to rip the tags off and claim that they were donated. I have seen the way you hold parents together so they can hold their kids.

Thank you for giving a snack to every single hungry face that crosses through your doorway. And yes, I know you buy those with your own money. I see the worry in your face when you send some of your students off for a holiday break and your joy when they return to the warmth of your classroom. You are unwavering in your resolve to love your students in good and in hard times.

Just in case no one has told you, let me be the first to say, I am sorry

I am sorry for all that gets dropped on your lap. The IEPs you agonize over, the parents who don’t understand what you are working towards and the times your hands are tied by policy. Sorry for the times the general education teacher population unknowingly excludes you and for the times you sit at a “team meeting” alone.

I am sorry dear teacher in special education that you are both observed and evaluated by people who sometimes know nothing about special education law. I see the way you are unbothered by throwing a rando learning target on your wall to check a box and then working fiercely towards IEP goals with your students.

You change the trajectories of lives. Guide parents through a journey that can be so scary to a destination unknown. You create a safe haven for your students. A hub of kindness and understanding within a school system that standardizes kids.

Thank you. I see the unbothered, unwavering, total legend that you are. I stand with you, and I cheer for you. My heart will always be in the Special Education Classroom.

Run your Special Education Classroom Smoothly

As Special Education Teachers we have the best and one of the hardest jobs in the school. I have many, many, many systems in place that free up my time so I can be more present with my students. Here are five ways you can keep your classroom running smoothly!

Jobs in special education are simply the best! Before I was a Special Education Teacher, I worked for a non-profit. We ran social skills groups, lead community based outings, and taught vocational skills. I have spent most of my adult life working in the special education field. I can promise you will not meet a cooler, more fun, more endearing set of people in any other field.

The Special Education Teacher

If you are a Teacher in Special Education the students stay with you year after year. This gives you an opportunity to watch them develop overtime. With more time, you can change the trajectory of their lives. Also, because you are with them for more than one year, you get to know the parents. Teaming up with parents to support students is where the magic happens!

In the special education classroom, you have more freedom over the curriculum. You are teaching, progress monitoring, and working towards IEP goals. This allows you to scaffold a curriculum that works for the individual in front of you. You can take into account the student’s personal interests and abilities. You can even work in opportunities for them to be the experts and lead the group! If your students are like mine, then as a bonus, you will learn about Sonic, Legos, Tik Tok and so much more!

Special Education Classrooms

Since the IEP is written based on the needs of each individual student, your workday may look different from day to day. The topics you teach can be academic but, might also other skills. My students have goals in the areas of life skills, vocational skills, community based instruction, independent living skills, and friendship skills among others. I love that Special Education Teachers have so much flexibility! Here are some common teaching jobs in special education:

Self Contained Classroom: Students and teacher are in one classroom most of the day
Co-teaching: The Special Education Teacher is working in the same classroom with the General Education Teacher
Push In: A Special Education Teacher or Paraprofessional enters a general education classroom to provide modifications and support
Resource/Learning Support/Study Skills: Students come to your room for small group instruction in a specific area for a short period of time

The Special Education Paraprofessional

One of the best things about the Special Education classroom is the team of paraprofessionals who work in it. They are absolute angels. Paraprofessionals support the Special Education Teacher and love the students. Paraprofessionals are masters in teaching small groups. They keep the classroom running! Often times, Paras spend their time preparing materials for lessons, taking data on student progress. They remind the Special Education Teacher to breathe, and laugh!

In the special education classroom, Paraprofessionals are the glue that holds a program together. Paraprofessionals get to work with the students without managing the paperwork of the IEP. We Special Education Teachers are eternally appreciative of all they do.

Other Jobs in Special Education

The special education field is full of opportunities! If working in the classroom is not a job for you, not to worry. Here are some other professions that work in special education:

Special Education Advocates: Help people with disabilities and their families navigate systems to secure supports within them
Counselors: Work with students at schools and clinics to learn skills to support mental and physical health
School psychologist: Participate in the IEP team, test students to determine whether or not disabilities are present, make recommendations for services
Speech Language Pathologist: Work with students who need support in the area of communication
Occupational Therapist: Works towards wellness and increased independence with fine motor tasks
Physical Therapist: Works to improve range of movement and develop gross motor skills
Skills Trainer: Teaches social skills, life skills, community skills, independent living skills, and vocational skills

Resources for Professionals in Special Education

Special Education Basics: A 30 Minute Training

Workbook: Getting Students Involved in the IEP Process

Paraprofessional Training: Behavior Management

Progress Monitoring: A 30 Minute Training

Teacher in Special Education, Thank You