teacher education

teacher education questions and answers

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Q: What is the lifestyle of a Special Education teacher?
My friend wants to be a special education teacher. we are doing a research paper on careers and she needs to know how the lifestyle of these teachers are. She wants to teach in elementary school, but any information is greatly appreciated. How close do the teachers of the handicapped or gifted students become? How close do the students become to the teachers?

A: Your lifestyle is the same as any other teacher. However, many special education teachers are left out of the clique that is dominated by regular ed teachers. Special ed kids are not all kickers or biters. In fact most of them are just regular kids with learning disabilities. Here are the categories of disabilities. Specific Learning Disabilities -Resource teachers handle mildly learning disabled kids in a small area away from the mainstream to give them extra help. There are special classes for students whose learning disabilities have caused them to be two years behind their grade level and need more intense intervention. Mildly to Moderately Intellectually Disabled. These kids attend Life Skills classes in which they are taught skills to make them more independent and involved in their communities. They range from kids that can read to kids who need intense instruction in basic skills. Profoundly Intellectually Disabled - These children need to be taught basic things like feeding, toileting, manipulating objects in their environments and ambulation. they are often medically fragile. Autistic - Autistic children vary from high functioning children who attend regular classes and need help with socialization to children who cannot communicate and need to learn to express and request the needs that they have. Emotionally Behaviorally Disordered. These children range in intelligence from mild MR to gifted. You have to have a strong personality to teach these children and have excellent intuition and behavior management skills. Hearing Impaired - These children range from being mainstreamed to needing to spend most of their day in a special class. Visually Impaired - Obvious I think. Many of these children are mainstreamed if they are normally intelligent. Gifted - These children of course are very smart, but they also can be idiosyncratic. They have minds of their own, think tangentially and can be a handful at times because of their individuality, need for experiences and intense curiosity. There are a few others, but these are the main ones. You have to have a calling for teaching special education because it can be stressful. You have to understand disabled children and have a passion for helping them. I taught EBD, Resource and Life Skills and I was very close to my kids. Usually you will have smaller classes (though not always) so that you can really develop relationships with the kids. With special ed, it isn't the numbers game like it is for regular ed. It is harder to relate to 25-35 kids that you have to push to pass statewide testing. That is why I went into it. I wanted to have a job where I could help kids with individual differences and do work on an in depth basis.

Q: I am trying to decide between being a psychologist and Elementary Education teacher?
I am having trouble deciding. Right now I am a sophomore in the psychology program, so I would have to take an extra semester if I switch to education probably. Can anyone who is a teacher or psychologist tell me their experiences and what would be better over all. I am not sure I want to put in the 8 years required for a doctorete in psychology and I do have a passion for education and I love the idea of being a teacher, but I know it's less pay and can be very stressful.

A: When you get older you will know what to do !

Q: Jobs prior to becoming a Special Education teacher?
I already have my Bachelor's degree in paralegal studies. I have always wanted to be a special education teacher, but i chose to be a paralegal instead. Now, after working as a paralegal, i know i made the wrong decision and would like to go back to school for special education. Are there any jobs in the profession that i can obtain while i'm in school working toward my degree? I would really like to gain experience working in the field. Preferably in Ohio area. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

A: Hey, special ed. teachers are SO in demand right now that prior experience isn't important as long as you have the professional credentials. I would suggest you volunteer with special ed. programs, it would look good on your resume. Some suggestions are Special Olympics, a handicapped horse-back program, many city recreation programs have activities for handicapped kids and are always looking for volunteers. If you need a paying job, try substituting for special ed. classes on days you do not have other classes. That REALLY looks good on resumes. Good luck, we need all the good people we can get!

Q: High school classes to become a physical education teacher?
I am currently a junior in high school and am scheduling for my senior year. I want to become a physical education teacher and was wondering what classes I should schedule for next year. I have already scheduled Sports Medicine as an elective and was wondering if I need to take a science, and if so what science is recommended. This year (as a junior) I am taking Chemistry. If anyone has any ideas or recommendations I would gladly appreciate them. Thanks.

A: you should take science, and ap bio (or some advanced biology or anatomy class) is highly recommended. it will help you out big time in college. you should also log onto the school websites for colleges you might go to and take a look at their curriculum for a phys ed major. try and take a well rounded number of classes that relate to the classes you'll be taking in college.

Q: What are the requirements of being a Special Education Teacher?
I'm writing an essay on what i want to be when i grow up and i would like to be a special education teacher but i don't know which website to look at. Do you know any good career websites that will tell me information like salary, requirements, things like that?

A: It really depends on where you are located. A special ed teacher gets paid the same as any other teacher. It just depends on your experience and education level. Where I am the least amount you can make is 30,000. For bigger districts it is 32,000 and the highest paying district pays 37,000 for a 1st year teacher. In my state a teacher must take all gen eds. Once you have enough credits you apply to teacher education program. Once you are in the program you take all the needed classes, complete in classroom observations, and student teaching, then you can apply for license. Where I am if you want to teach elementary special ed you must major in an education program to get your degree as a classroom teacher. You must also enroll in the program to get your endorsement in special ed.

Q: how to become a special education teacher in autism?
i want to be a special education teacher when i graduate from high school, can you tell me what the day is like, salary, what i need to take in college, how long in college, and what colleges are good! Any answer helps! Thanks!

A: in teh US--you need a 4 year degree in special ed and should consider getting BCBA certification with a masters degree sepending onteh part of teh country--starting salary is from 30-45k/year--often with additional summer pay look for colleges that have both special ed degrees and BCBA certification www.bacb.com (or org?)

Q: What is it like to be a special education teacher?
I was invited to an interview to get my alternative teaching certification and I wanted to be a special education teacher since my background is in child development. Can anyone tell me what it is like and the pros and cons of it? I am not sure if I'm fit to be a teacher or not, but special ed may be different (I am not very aggressive or bossy, I see kids walking all over me).

A: In special education you encounter more behavioral difficulties than in regular education, the children often come from lower income families and parental involvement is not as high, and there is a TON of paperwork. These are all generalities and not true of every case. As with any teaching though, when you finally make that breakthrough, whether it's a behavioral breakthrough or an academic one, it all seems worth it. -S (special ed. teacher)

Q: Write a letter why I wanna be a special education teacher?
Ye-Ye-Ye I'm about to hand over all the paper works I need to be a special education teacher. Just a letter!!! Any good guide line how to write? Thanks in advance.

A: First off, you will need to address it properly by writing why you want to be a teacher (Sped.) If you are truly passionate about it, write that and then back up your words on why you would be passionate & compassionate for others who have problems learning. You will have to check grammar of course. Make sure you sign the letter as well as you print your name using the printer. A printed letter is best. I hope this helps

Q: What's it like to be a kindergarten, preschool, or special education teacher like?
I'm debating if i want to be a early childhood teacher or a special education teacher.

A: Teaching special education is demanding, but one of the most rewarding jobs on the planet. You constantly have to be on your toes. You need to be able to change your plan on the fly when the kids "just don't get it" and you have to have the patience of a saint. I am a 7th/8th grade special ed science teacher. My job requires that I plan multiple lab experiences and prep notes like they are going out of style. I wouldn't change it for the world because of these two things: I love the kids (even when they don't always love me) and everyday is a different day. You have to get to know the kids as people and learn to wipe the slate clean each day to give the kids what they need.

Q: what jobs should a college student who is studying to be a childhood education teacher have?
what jobs should a college student who is studying to be a childhood education teacher have? which types of jobs that deal with children?

A: If you're taking night classes, get a job as a paraprofessional in a classroom. If you're in a state where you can substitute teach with just a HS diploma, do that for a while, even before you take classes, and open yourself up to all classrooms. if you can, decide what you really want to do within the field of education before you take all the classes. I wish I would've. I'd have a lot less in student loans now if I would have.

Q: What education do you need to become a preschool teacher?
How do i become a pre school teacher? what education is needed? How long until i am qualified?

A: These are the classes that you will need to become a preschool teacher. In some Colleges the names of the classes may be named different. Introduction to child Development Early child Education The preschool Child First and CPR (a must) Infant and toddler Development Development Psychology Home-Child-Community Relations Health and safety for Children Child Abuse Education What College you go to the names of the classes maybe different and what you need to do is talk to a Couselor at the school that you are planning to go to and find out what classes that they have. Also 3 to 6 units can get you to work as a Teachers Aid and also a class that you have signed up for. 12 or more can get to work as a Qualified Teacher. I have been a Teacher for 20 years and a Director for 5 months before I had to move back South. I have a Degree in Social and Behavorial Sciences and it is in 4 areas. Teaching(children), Marrage and Family(children), Social worker Aid(Children),Couseling(children). I hope this will help.

Q: I need to interview a Special Education Teacher?
I am doing and Oral Interview for a grade in Exceptionalities in college I need to interview a Special Education Teacher. i need to interview the teacher overthe internet today i take my class online and it is due today.i misunderstood the exercise and i;ve got to interview a teacher somehow tonight.

A: First, go to the principal(s) of your nearest schools, and ask if you can interview one of their special ed teachers. Bring your syllabus and/or assignment sheet, so that they know that yes, you are a college student, and so that they know what kind of interview you are asking for. If they approve and recommend someone, then you can ask them if they are willing to do it. It is usually better to ask the teacher for an appointment time. Although I doubt anyone will say "no," don't give up if that happens. Go to a different school and try again.

Q: what does a special education teacher do?
i am looking for jobs when i get older and I love kids. I want to be a special education teacher, can you give me a description of what work is like, salary, and what sites to find jobs on. If you know of any college that is good please let me know! Thanks!

A: A special education teacher is someone who deals with children who have learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dyscalulia and dysgraphia which are the writing reading and math equivalent of each other. Other learning disabilities might be developmental delays, autism, ADD and AD HD or HD . These teacher have special training to deal with these issues, They work with these kids in either the public school setting or in private school for kids with Learning disabilites. You have to have a master's in special education in order to teach special ed or have education credits in special ed if you have a masters in another field. You have to obtain a BA and than get your Masters. So including college will take you about 6 to 8 years depending on how long it takes to get your masters.