Thesis: Special Education teaching is potentially the fastest growing job in the 21

st
Century
because of the increase in the children requiring special education and the amount of
people thriving to help these students succeed.
Outline
I. Introduction
A. Definition of Special Education teaching
B. Job summary
C. Types of Special Education Teachers
D. Thesis statement
II. History and Background
A. Where Special Education originated
B. First Special Education schools
C. Where the schools opened, when
III. Requirements
A. Schooling requirements, qualifications
B. Certification/Licensing
IV. Skills
A. Duties/Tasks of a Special Education teacher
B. Person skills or abilities
C. School subjects that are taught
V. Earnings/Salary range
A. Averages about $43,570 a year
B. Different job occupations have different salaries in this field
VI. Personal Relationships
A. Interview inputs (quote 1)
1. Children went to teachers wedding
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VII. Work Environment
A. Classroom (typically)
B. Differences in the children
C. Problems/Consequences for misbehavior
VIII. Challenges
A. Bad behavior issues
B. Differentiating instruction to different children
C. Quote 2
D. Scheduling
VIIII. Conclusion
A. Quote 3
B. Thesis statement
C. Wrap-up statement












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Special Education, Special Opportunities








Nerys Gravell
Mrs. King
2
nd
hour, English 9
Wednesday, May 21, 2014



.
Special education teaching is a gifting job that allows people to help children with
physical, mental and orthopedic impairments learn and grow (Ferguson- book, 149). Other
children can be placed into these classes for more simplistic reasons such as emotional
disturbances or a learning disorder (Ferguson- Encyclopedia, 444). These instructors will also,
less commonly, work with kids that are gifted and talented that has a limited proficiency in the
English language, communicable disorders, or children who have been abused or neglected
(Ferguson- Encyclopedia, 444). Students can range from the age of 3 to 21 who have a variety of
disabilities, large or small, and they all are provided with a special plan to help them succeed
(Ferguson- Encyclopedia, 436). The special plans, otherwise known as Individualized Education
Plan (IEP) sets up personal goals for a student based upon their learning styles and other abilities
(Ferguson- book, 149). Alongside this program, these instructors are responsible for a large
amount of paper work and communicating with school psychologists, social workers, parents,
occupational therapists and speech therapists (Ferguson- book, 149-150). The goal of almost
every special education teacher is to mainstream their students into general classrooms so that
along with their education, the students can learn emotional and social skills, like being
independent (Ferguson- book, 149). The stereotypical special education instructor works with
minors in a classroom, however there are certified people who work in hospitals or clinics
(Ferguson- book, 163). Because of a rise in the youths with special needs, the field is expanding
(Ferguson- Encyclopedia, 439). Special education teaching is potentially the fastest growing job
in the 21
st
Century because of the increase in children requiring the special education and the
amount of people thriving to help these students succeed.
The idea of special education traces back to 16
th
Century, Spain where Pedro de Leon and
Juan Pablo Bonet taught deaf students to read and write (Ferguson- book, 148). Later, in the 18
th

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Century, Valentin established the first institute for blind children in Paris, France (Ferguson-
book, 148). Not until later did America tag along with the program, however; in 1812 the first
blind schools were opened in Boston, Massachusetts and New York (Ferguson- book, 148).
Years later, in Orange, New Jersey, the first school for the mentally handicapped was established
(Ferguson- book, 148). In 1975, Congress passed the Education for All Handicapped Act (Public
Law) (Ferguson- book, 148). Two years later, the act was renamed the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (Ferguson- book, 148).This allowed 6 million school aged children to
receive special education services from highly trained professionals (Ferguson- book, 148).
Nowadays, kids with disabilities are grouped together, however, there are still very successful
institutes specialized disabilities can attend (Ferguson- book, 148).
In high school, many people are still unsure about their career paths. However, in order to
go into some professions, it is vital that some classes are taken, even at this level. The suggested
class for high school students planning on going into the special education field includes Social
Sciences, Mathematics, English, Child Development, Speech Education and Psychology
(Ferguson- book, 150). Once students reach college it is important for them to be aware of the
benchmarks in order to become successful. Many states require a Masters Degree in education
of the special needs and a minor in a subject related, for example, primary school teaching
(Ferguson- book, 150). A special education teacher interviewed shared that she (like many
others) majored and received a Masters Degree in Cognitive Impairment Studies and minored in
Elementary School Teaching (Michelle Bushy, Hardy Elementary). It is common for a pre-
graduate student in college to spend their last year in the program of student teaching with a
licensed teacher, which allowed adaptively and common skills (Ferguson- book, 150).Personal
requirements also play a role in this job. Traits like humor, patience, persistence, creativity and
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cooperation are mandatory for this placement (Ferguson- Encyclopedia, 487). Communication is
also a highlight. Teachers are responsible for learning effective ways to give instruction to all
students in the classroom, considering each inability (Ferguson- Encyclopedia, 437). Selective
attention is hard but another necessary aspect of the occupation. Having the ability to work on
something for a period of time without distractions symbolizes command and perseverance
(carrerplanner.com). The last requirement of this job is the certification or licensing. Traditional
licensing requires completion of a training program and a minimum of a Bachelors Degree
(usnewsuniversitydirectory.com). All special education teachers are required to have a license by
law; however, each states certification processes are different (Ferguson- Encyclopedia, 436).
Some states certify teachers as elementary school teachers and once they show proficiency they
can be certified as a special education instructor (Ferguson- Encyclopedia, 436). Either way,
requirements of certification are very important for this placement and important to take into
consideration.
Because of the complexity of the job, many special education teachers are responsible for
a large amount of paperwork and planning (Nancy Weiss, Hardy Elementary). It is common for
administrators to give standardized tests to determine what the students have strengths in
(careerplanner.com). This can help the teacher determine if extra skills need to be accounted for
such as sign language (Ferguson- Encyclopedia, 436). By knowing different communication
skills, teachers can provide information through demonstrations, activities and/or lectures
(careerplanner.com). Classroom skills are also generally expected from a teacher. All sorts of
skills such as social perceptiveness, monitoring, speaking clearly, active listening, reading
comprehension, critical thinking and problem solving are important in a classroom environment
(careerplanner.com). Because instructors work with an abundance of children with a number of
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disabilities, teachers need to be understanding and accepting. In order to do this, they must deal
with different students in a variety of ways (careerplanner.com). This includes techniques like I
feel papers for children to express their feelings, stress balls, drawings, bean bags, and
counseling rooms (personal observation).
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that special education teachers hold about
473,000 jobs in America, as of 2008 (usnewsuniversitydirectory.com). Improvements have
allowed learning disabilities to be diagnosed at a younger age, also, therefore; the number of
children requiring special education have increased (usnewsuniversitydirectory.com). The
statistical rate of special education teachers are expected to increase 17% as of 2013, making it
the fastest growing occupation in America (usnewuniversitydirectory.com). In 2014, an average
instructor in this field will earn $47,000 a year. However, it can range between that and $73,190,
depending on experience and job level (careerplanner.com). These peoples salaries do not
compliment the efforts they put into this job so, legislation has asked for higher standards for
these teachers (usnewsuniversitydirectory.com).
Teachers tend to love all students that they work with. They work with a variety of
children, each with different abilities and inabilities (Nancy Weiss, Hardy Elementary). Not only
do teachers learn about the kids, but they also learn about themselves every day (Michelle
Bushy, Hardy Elementary). Instructors gain good relationships with parents and other workers in
the building also, as it is very important that they work together (Michelle Bushy, Hardy
Elementary). A special education teacher from Hardy Elementary said that from the moment she
understood what special needs was and that her sister had it, she knew exactly what her
profession was going to be. Every day, she loves coming to school to see these children. This
teacher said in an interview, I think the most rewarding thing of this entire job is seeing your
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students eyes light up when they grasp the main idea of a topic for the first time. Its like
something clicked, and it all came together. I cant say that I have experienced something better
than that. In their own time, each and every one of them has their moment, and I love how I am
apart of helping them figure it all out. I just really hope that they love coming here and learning
every day with me, as much as I love coming and learning with them. (Michelle Bushy, Hardy
Elementary).
Special education teachers are usually put to work in schools (Ferguson- Encyclopedia,
446). On average, they work 40-44 hours a week with the traditional 9-10 months a year
(Ferguson- book, 164). This is appealing to them so they can have an opportunity to pursue
personal interests in the summer time (Ferguson- Encyclopedia, 446). They tend to work from
somewhere around 7:30am-3:00pm, then spend the evenings correcting papers and preparing
lesson plans (Ferguson- Encyclopedia, 445). Many teachers spend late nights stressing about
unprepared lessons and schedules, making it harder in the classroom the following days
(Ferguson- Encyclopedia, 445).
Just like any other job, there are challenges throughout. It is very stressful, there are
heavy workloads and it can be physically/mentally damaging (usnewsuniversitydirectory.com).
Another challenge is that most kids are either peer models for each other or they cannot handle
each other at all (Michelle Bushy, Hardy Elementary). Sometimes when one student does
something wrong, the other reacts or follow (Michelle Bushy, Hardy Elementary). Another hard
aspect is differentiating instruction to each student and juggling all of the different behaviors at
the same time (Nancy Weiss, Hardy Elementary). Some teachers fight tiring battles with
disobedient students every day (Ferguson- Encyclopedia, 446). Instructors have also been
physically hurt by children acting out (Nancy Weiss, Hardy Elementary). Another school teacher
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speaks about her injury: In the end, Im helping these children learn and grow every day. How
they react doesnt hurt me emotionally or mentally. I know it is not my fault. It is my job to help
them develop the right skills to deal with these issues. (Nancy Weiss, Hardy Elementary). These
strong words show that teachers cannot let these experiences hurt them in a way where they
cannot handle the situation anymore. Therefore, consequences in the classroom are necessary
(Michelle Bushy, Hardy Elementary). There are many punishable consequences to help students
learn a right from a wrong from as simple as a time out to walks with a weighted backpack.
Each one of these kids has a personality that I love. I cannot imagine being a principle at
any other school, says the principle of Hardy Elementary School. Time and time again, people
look down on special education. However, special education teaching has the potential to be the
fastest growing job in the 21
st
Century because of children needing the education and the open
hearted people wanting to make a difference in these childrens lives altogether. It is obvious that
this job is one of the most rewarding jobs offered. The people designated dont only earn a
salary, but they also earn the feeling of joy and reassurance where they can say that they helped
somebody to live a more successful life.








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Works Cited

Bushy, Michelle. In person interview. 1 May 2014.
careerplanner.com. Myers-Briggs. 24 Nov 1997. 30 April 2014.
http://www.careerplanner.com
Ferguson. Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance, Volume 5, Fourteenth Edition.
New York: Ferguson, 2004. 29 April 2014.
Heitch, Cory. In person interview. 1 May 2014.
Knox, Mark. Special-Education-Teacher.com. Special Education Teachers. 1 May 2014.
http://www.special-education-teacher.com
usnewsuniversitydirectory.com. US News and World Report. 11 Jan. 2011. 30 April 2014.
http://www.usnewsuniversitydirectory.com
Weiss, Nancy. In person interview. 1 May 2014.




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