Thread: What are the pros and cons of being a Special Ed Teacher?

I am a regular ed teacher who has many special ed students mainstreamed into his class. I have to work with spec ed teachers quite a bit, so I'm just going to proffer some impressions.

1. My spec ed colleagues work with an incredible amount of bureaucracy. They keep huge folders full of useless data, have to have meetings to decide minutiae, and are generally hampered by legal matters.

2. My spec ed colleagues work with students that are especially difficult. Disabilities come in a wide range, and are present in different students to varying degrees.

My opinion- I'm not able to do what my spec ed colleagues do.

You deal with students who are so full of energy and distractions and you try anything and everything to help them focus and work. You help them try to be better organized and try different ways to get through to them to figure out how they learn best. You try to help them gain confidence and develop a better attitude about themselves.

You deal with parents who will not answer their phone or show up for anything at school. You deal with parents who tell you what your lesson plans should be, what tests should be used in their reevals and, parents who support you every step of the way.

The paperwork grows and grows while the software program throws hissy fits. You go to more training meetings, school meetings, parent meetings, and a lot of them are outside of your contract hours.

I love it and wouldn't trade it for the world. The benefits are meaningful and I make a difference.