I, like Heather, am a General Education teacher going back to become a Special Education teacher. Like her, I am also getting the feeling that this isn't the "normal" route one takes. When I first began applying for the cohort and telling people about my plans, I quite frankly got a lot of comments that I found disturbing. One person told me that I was crazy and that "Special Education is a lot of paperwork". Well, I understand that to be true, but if we are only seeing kids as "paperwork" well then no wonder they are not being as successful as they could be. Another person asked me if I was sure I wanted to do this and told me that most people are begging to get out of the Special Education classroom and into the General Ed. one, not the opposite way around. After meeting all of you, I know this is untrue.
I realize that Special Education is a lot of work, but these are the students who need people who will work the hardest. If we have people in the field who really don't want to be there, my thought is they should go elsewhere. Another comment I often get when telling people I am getting my masters in Spec. Ed. is that I "will always have a job, no matter where I go". I personally would hope this isn't true (it should be based off of my performace, not my diplomas) and can only hope this isn't the only reason people start teaching Special Eduction.
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True, being in the Special Education field requires alot of time - IEP, Lesson planning and conferences every now and then. However, this profession comes easy when you are prepared to be in the job. When I came to teach here in US,three years ago;I was overwhelmed with the system, culture, work load and responsibilities in Special Education. An overload of anxiety on things to do, I learned alot from a hard experience during that school year. My mentor, colleagues and Dept.chairperson were very supportive until this day.
From my experience, I didn't see my students with disbilities as a paperwork. My set standards were just like of the General Education. Although, the difference is the modification and strategies that we do in SPEd classes. I love teaching these students because of the subtle change you see in time. It might not be an instant gratification of your hardwork but I see that great things starts from small beginnings. We SPEd teachers should even be proud of where we opted to be in the field of education. I see that teaching them just doesn't make me a better teacher but also makes me an understanding and more warm-hearted being.
M.Villanueva
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