The field of special education is one of the fastest growing segments within the educational industry, and an instructor has unique state requirements to meet to become a special education teacher. Because of the federally mandated Individuals With Disabilities Educational Act, disabled students in America’s primary and secondary schools are entitled to free appropriate public education. Since all schools that receive federal funds from the United States (U.S.) Department of Education must comply with this rule, the demand for special education instructors is significant.
There are multiple impairments represented within the total population of disabled students in the U.S., and special education professionals generate customized learning plans for each disabled student within their schools. Here are the steps that aspiring special education instructors take to enter their chosen career field.
Education
While state requirements vary for special education teachers, most candidates must have at least an undergraduate degree in education from an accredited, four year university. Most of these programs offer teaching candidates the opportunity to choose among many concentration areas, and a specific degree that is popular with future special education instructors is the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Special Education. In addition to an undergraduate degree in education, many states require that special education instructors obtain advanced degrees in the subject. People who decide that they want to switch careers and teach special education can earn Master’s in Special Education degrees to supplement their undergraduate degrees in other disciplines.
Licensing and Certification
Some states allow qualified teacher candidates to take tests and apply for state teaching licenses. Those candidates who meet the requirements to teach special education may also take tests and receive specialized endorsements on their licenses that make them eligible to teach the subject in public schools. Currently licensed instructors who want to cross into special education from other teaching specialties can take training programs and receive certificates that allow them to officially teach special education in public schools. Also, licensed instructors from other states can apply for a number of conditional endorsements and certificates that make them eligible to teach special education in their new home states while they meet the official requirements for teaching in those places.
Specializations
While plenty of job opportunities exist for generalist special education teachers, jobs and salaries have a tendency to increase for instructors who focus their special education career paths to serve students with specific disabilities. Special education graduate degree programs usually allow teaching candidates to concentrate in areas like autism spectrum disorders, multi-sensory reading for dyslexia and applied behavior analysis.
Join Professional Associations
Special education teachers usually have no problems finding positions across the country and even in some foreign countries. However, they may need extra help finding the best fit for their skills, job location preferences and professional goals. This type of targeted career planning may require the support of colleagues within a professional organization like the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET). Special education instructors can stay informed about the latest news that is related to their field, and they can network with other instructors and administrators for greater career prospects by obtaining membership in NASET.
Conclusion
Getting a quality education gives many disabled people the skills to lead more independent and productive lives. Scientifically based improvements in the teaching methods of disabled persons has led to greater progress in the academic performances of special needs students. The special education teacher who keeps up with these advancements has the opportunity to make a lasting, positive impact on many people.
