| Get Started | | | | times emit an aura of having everything under |
| | | | control, even when you just want to run away |
| | | | and cry. |
| 2. - Although it varies, the following will be needed | | | | - Respect is earned. While you will be able to have |
| for certification: A four year degree in special | | | | some leverage in your position, good teaching will |
| education, OR a four year degree in another | | | | not take place until your students respect you. |
| subject area, with a master's degree in special | | | | - In challenging situations (and there will be many), |
| education. (If you have a four year degree in a | | | | keep your cool; respect is easily lost. |
| subject other than education, many states will | | | | - The kids can and will try anything to throw you |
| allow you an emergency or temporary certificate | | | | off balance, so have a plan to handle it before it |
| so that you may teach while earning your | | | | happens. |
| certification in Special Education.) | | | | - Choose your battles; some conflicts are just not |
| 3. Find a suitable university or college with a | | | | worth engaging in. It will only distract you and |
| program in Special Education. Public universities | | | | your students and derail the class. |
| often do just as well as private colleges, if not | | | | - You will have some fantastic moments that will |
| better in some circumstances, at preparing you | | | | make you wonder how you could ever have |
| for working in a public school. | | | | considered anything but teaching. |
| 4. Take as many elective courses as possible in | | | | - Always over-prepare your lessons. Bored kids |
| reading and math. Special education students are | | | | are noisy kids. |
| nearly always integrated in the english and math | | | | - Always be prepared for the unexpected. You |
| regular classrooms. This will give you a better idea | | | | might have the best lesson in the world planned, |
| of their needs. Reading instruction is also critical in | | | | but sometimes half the class is clueless to the |
| elementary grades. | | | | concept and you have to adjust everything. |
| 5. Look around for alternative options. If your | | | | - Be sure you know to spell and use correct |
| degree does not also make you Highly Qualified, | | | | grammar. Nothing looks worse than a teacher |
| check your options. Each state usually has two or | | | | who can't spell or punctuate properly, even the |
| three means of becoming HQ. The most direct | | | | students don't know the difference. |
| option tends to be a Praxis II exam if your state | | | | - Greet your students each morning to read their |
| considers it acceptable. | | | | moods even before the school day begins. If |
| Tips | | | | appropriate, hug each of them. At least give each |
| - Further your education whenever possible. The | | | | of them each a high five and tell them you are |
| willingness to continually improve your | | | | glad that they are there. That may be the only |
| understanding of the subjects you teach and of | | | | positive contact they have all day. |
| instruction methodology is what will make you an | | | | Warnings |
| excellent teacher. | | | | - The Special Education field is not for everyone; |
| - While taking courses, take care to learn as | | | | it takes a lot of patience and you'll have to be |
| much as possible about reading, writing, math, | | | | prepared for anything. |
| special education curriculum, learning styles and | | | | - You are not the kids' friend. Relationships can |
| teaching styles. | | | | become misunderstood. Be friendly with your |
| - Self-confidence is important; you should at all | | | | students, but keep a distance. |