Getting Started
1. Word qualified.You need two things: A State Teaching certification and (since NCLB was approved) status as a highly qualified teacher in the subjects that you plan to teach. Each country has its own guidelines for teaching certification and HQ. Please contact your state with the Ministry of Education (or a similar service) for specific guidelines.
* Although it varies, the following will be needed for the certification: A four-year degree in special education or a diploma in four years a different subject, with a master's degree in special education. (If you have a degree in four years a different subject than education, many countries can be an emergency or temporary certificate, so you can learn while earning your certification in Special Education.)
2. Find an appropriate university or college with a program in Special Education. Public universities often just as well as private colleges, if not better in some circumstances, in preparing you for working in a public school.
3. Take as many as possible electives in reading and mathematics. Special education students are almost always integrated into the regular classroom english and mathematics. This gives you a better picture of their needs. Reading instruction is also of crucial importance in the elementary grades.
4. Look around for other opportunities. If your degree does not also ensure that you are highly qualified, check whether your options. Each state has usually two or three pleas to the headquarters. The most direct option seems a Praxis II exam if you feel it acceptable.
Tips
- Continue your education where possible. The willingness to continuously improve your understanding of the issues that you learn and the method of instruction is what will give you an excellent teacher.
- While taking courses, sure to learn as much as possible about reading, writing, mathematics, special education curriculum, teaching styles and learning styles.
- Self-confidence is important, you must at all times to emit an aura of that everything under control, even if you just want to run away and cry.
- Respect is earned. While you will be able to detect any impact on your position, good education will only take place if you respect your students.
- In challenging situations (and there will be much), keep your cool, it is easily lost.
- The children can and will try anything to throw you out of balance, so have a plan to act before it happens.
- Choose your battles, some conflicts are just not worthwhile to join in. It will only lead you and your students and derail the classroom.
- You have some great moments that will make you wonder how you ever could have considered anything but education.
- Always on the preparation of your lessons. Boredom children are noisy children.
- Always be prepared for the unexpected. Could it be that you the best lesson in the world planned, but sometimes half the class is clueless to the concept and everything you have to adapt.
- Make sure you know, to identify and correct use of grammar. Nothing looks worse than a teacher who can not play and punters well, even the students do not know the difference.
- Greet your pupils every morning to read their ballots before the school day begins. If necessary, hug each of them. At least give each of them each a high five and tell them you are glad that they are there. That is perhaps the only positive contact with them have the whole day.
Warnings
- The special education is not for everyone, it takes a lot of patience and then you are ready for anything.
- You are not the kids' friend. Relationships can be understood. Be kind to your students, but keep a distance.