Special Education Teacher - Personnel Center

1 C A R E E R SC A R E E R SMakingDDIFFERENCEIFFERENCEin the liveslivesof studentsstudentswithspecial needsspecial needsAeing a Special educator is an opportunity to have apositive, lasting impact on the lives of children andyouth with Special Education is specially designed instruction,that often incorporates related services, to meet theeducational, social, emotional, and vocational needsof students with SpecialSpecialEEducationducationand Relatedand RelatedServicesServicesStudents with disabilities who receive specialeducation instruction and related services varygreatly in their needs. Like all children, they differfrom one another in ability, age, learning style,and personality.

2 Students with disabilities comefrom all cultural backgrounds and may evenspeak languages other than English. They all have unique learning needs based on theirdisabilities that require a variety of Special Education and related services, such as speciallydesigned instruction, adapted materials, speech-language therapy, adaptive physical Education and school to work transition planning. Some students with disabilities have cognitiveimpairments, such as mental retardation, which canrange from mild to profound. Others have specificlearning disabilities that require specific teachingstrategies, including accommodations and modifications to the general Education other students have physical disabilities thatrequire the use of wheelchairs or other assistivedevices.

3 Some students' impairments are sensory,such as hearing loss and vision have emotional conditions. In addition,chronic health problems and multiple disabilitiescomplicate learning for are Special Education students?SSpecial pecial EEducationducationTTeachereacherWWHAHATT DODOSSPECIALPECIALEEDUCADUCATTORSORSDODO ?? Special Educators provide specially designedinstruction to individuals with disabilities. Theyadapt and develop materials to match the Special needs of each student. They work toensure that students with disabilities reach theirlearning potential. There are specialty areaswithin Special students with disabilities are more routinelyincluded in general Education classrooms and intheir neighborhood schools, Special educationteachers often work in teams with general Education teachers.

4 Special Education professionals also provide consulting services togeneral Education educators work in many in public schools include general Education classrooms, resource rooms, and self-contained classrooms. Other public or private school settings include hospitals, medical centers, private practice environments,correctional facilities, and the child's own public and private school settings alsoinclude direct services to the youngest of students with disabilities - infants and toddlersages birth to I NEEDNEEDTTOOBECOMEBECOMEAASSPECIALPECIAL EEDUCADUCATTOROR??Becoming a Special educator requires specialized professional Education and skills. At least a bachelor's degree is requiredto become a Special Education some states, a graduate (master's)degree may be required.

5 Professionalpreparation includes specialized coursework, field experiences with children with disabilities, and student teaching. The types of professional preparation programs offered in colleges and universities can vary widely but generallylead to eligibility for Special educationteacher licensure in the state where theprogram is offered. Only Special Education programs accredited by theNational Council for Accreditation ofTeacher Education (NCATE) in C A R E E R SC A R E E R S22conjunction with the Council for ExceptionalChildren have met national professional standards. Information about specific programscan be obtained from the NationalClearinghouse for Professions in SpecialEducation at 1-800-641-7824 or online should alsocontact the Department of Special Education atthe college or university of your choice to discuss course and career options open to is an increasing demand for Special educators across the nation.

6 In every state thedemand for qualified Special educators exceedsthe available supply. Vacancies vary by state,according to the type of Special educator neededand the regions within the state. Generally, ruraland urban areas have the greatest need for professionals across all areas of Special Education . There is a need in all areas for culturally and ethnically diverse professionals,particularly in urban areas; there is also a highneed for professionals who are states operate employment clearinghouses or placement services that match professionals looking for jobs with educational settings that have positions available. Information about these services isavailable from the National Clearinghouse forProfessions in Special Education .

7 Contact themat 1-800-641-7824 or visit them online A R E E R SC A R E E R Sin Special Education and related servicesin Special Education and related services1110 N. Glebe Road, Suite 300 Arlington, VA : : I FINDFINDOUTOUTMOREMOREABOUTABOUTSSPECIAL PECIALEEDUCADUCATIONTIONASASAACAREERCARE ERCHOICECHOICE??The best way to learn more about careers in Special Education is to talk to professionalsalready practicing in the field. Contact specialeducators in your local school system as well asfaculty at nearby colleges and universities. Askprofessionals in the field questions about whatthey do, why they chose their professions, andwhat they find challenging and rewarding abouttheir work.

8 The more you know about careersfocused on children and youth with disabilities, thebetter able you will be to make an informed National Clearinghouse for Professions inSpecial Education maintains a list of Special Education professionals. These are Special educators who volunteer their time to talk withcareer information seekers about the rewards andchallenges of being a Special Education professional. They can advise interested careerseekers on necessary college coursework, statelicensure requirements, job descriptions, and localsalary scales. Check out the Special EducationProfessionals Network online at who teach and provide services to students with disabilities have challenging yetrewarding career in Special Education offers an opportunity to work in partnership with students,parents, professional colleagues, and the FORPROFESSIONS INSPECIALEDUCATION1110 North Glebe Road, Suite 300 Arlington, VA : FOREXCEPTIONALCHILDREN1110 North Glebe Road, Suite 300 Arlington, VA National Clearinghouse for Professions in SpecialEducation is the descriptive title for the NationalClearinghouse on Careers and Professions Related toEarly Intervention and Education for Children withDisabilities.

9 Cooperative Agreement H326P980002,between the Department of Education and theCouncil for Exceptional Children. The contents of thispublication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of either the Department of Education or theCouncil for Exceptional Children. This information in thepublic domain, unless otherwise indicated. Readers areencouraged to copy and share it, but please credit theNational Clearinghouse for Professions in SpecialEducation. U. S. Department of Education Project Officer Martha 2002 NCPSENCPSE