| Get Started: | | | | * Self-confidence is important; you should at |
| | | | all times emit an aura of having everything |
| 1. Become qualified.You need two things: A | | | | under control, even when you just want to run |
| State Teaching certification and (since NCLB | | | | away and cry. |
| was enacted) status as a Highly Qualified | | | | |
| teacher in the subjects you plan to teach. | | | | * Respect is earned. While you will be able |
| Every state has its own guidelines for | | | | to have some leverage in your position, good |
| teaching certification and HQ. Check with | | | | teaching will not take place until your |
| your state's Department of Education (or | | | | students respect you. |
| equivalent department) for specific | | | | |
| guidelines. | | | | * In challenging situations (and there will |
| | | | be many), keep your cool; respect is easily |
| * Although it varies, the following will be | | | | lost. |
| needed for certification: A four year degree | | | | |
| in special education, OR a four year degree | | | | * The kids can and will try anything to throw |
| in another subject area, with a master's | | | | you off balance, so have a plan to handle it |
| degree in special education. (If you have a | | | | before it happens. |
| four year degree in a subject other than | | | | |
| education, many states will allow you an | | | | * Choose your battles; some conflicts are |
| emergency or temporary certificate so that | | | | just not worth engaging in. It will only |
| you may teach while earning your | | | | distract you and your students and derail the |
| certification in Special Education.) | | | | class. |
| | | | |
| 2. Find a suitable university or college with | | | | * You will have some fantastic moments that |
| a program in Special Education. Public | | | | will make you wonder how you could ever have |
| universities often do just as well as private | | | | considered anything but teaching. |
| colleges, if not better in some | | | | |
| circumstances, at preparing you for working | | | | * Always over-prepare your lessons. Bored |
| in a public school. | | | | kids are noisy kids. |
| | | | |
| 3. Take as many elective courses as possible | | | | * Always be prepared for the unexpected. You |
| in reading and math. Special education | | | | might have the best lesson in the world |
| students are nearly always integrated in the | | | | planned, but sometimes half the class is |
| english and math regular classrooms. This | | | | clueless to the concept and you have to |
| will give you a better idea of their needs. | | | | adjust everything. |
| Reading instruction is also critical in | | | | |
| elementary grades. | | | | * Be sure you know to spell and use correct |
| | | | grammar, Nothing looks worse than a teacher |
| 4. Look around for alternative options. If | | | | who can't spell or punctuate properly, even |
| your degree does not also make you Highly | | | | the students don't know the difference. |
| Qualified, check your options. Each state | | | | |
| usually has two or three means of becoming | | | | * Greet your students each morning to read |
| HQ. The most direct option tends to be a | | | | their moods even before the school day |
| Praxis II exam if your state considers it | | | | begins. If appropriate, hug each of them. At |
| acceptable. | | | | least give each of them each a high five and |
| | | | tell them you are glad that they are there. |
| Tips | | | | That may be the only positive contact they |
| | | | have all day. |
| * Further your education whenever possible. | | | | |
| The willingness to continually improve your | | | | Warnings |
| understanding of the subjects you teach and | | | | |
| of instruction methodology is what will make | | | | * The Special Education field is not for |
| you an excellent teacher. | | | | everyone; it takes a lot of patience and |
| | | | you'll have to be prepared for anything. |
| * While taking courses, take care to learn as | | | | |
| much as possible about reading, writing, | | | | * You are not the kids' friend. Relationships |
| math, special education curriculum, learning | | | | can become misunderstood. Be friendly with |
| styles and teaching styles. | | | | your students, but keep a distance. |
| | | | |