Interviewing for Special Ed Position

[Lmags629]

Hello All,

My name is Lisa, and I'm completely new to education. I have a BS in business, and have been working in sales for the last several years.

I live in Indianapolis, and there is an extreme teacher shortage here (I'm assuming that Indianapolis isn't the only city touched by shortage).

There is a fellowship program I am interviewing for. It involved a three year commitment working in our inner-city schools. There is an intensive summer training starting in June, and then I will have my own class in August. I will attend classes two nights a week in order to earn my Masters in teaching in two years.

The fellowship focuses on Math, Science, Spanish, and Special Ed teachers. I assumed I would be placed in Secondary Math, but come to find out, I am two credit hours short of qualifying for math. Because I was a business major, I will be interviewing for a Special Education Business position.

Here is my fear: I'm not sure I'm cut out for special education. Like I said, I have NO education background, so the thought of leaping right in with special education scares me. My biggest question right now is if I decide that special ed is not for me, how hard would it be to transfer into general education down the road (meaning 3 years or so)?

Does anyone have any words of wisdom for me?

Thanks so much in advance,

Lisa

[Chef Dave]

Does anyone have any words of wisdom for me?



Unless you feel a special calling for special education, please don't do this.

On a national basis, 70% of all high school students graduate.

Students in affluent suburbs have the highest graduation rates. For example in suburban Columbus, 83% of high school seniors graduated last year. In suburban Cleveland, 78.1% students graduated.

Go to an inner city school and the graduation rate plummets. Last year, Detroit had a dismal 24.9% graduation rate. The Cleveland Municipal Public School District had a graduation rate of 34.1%. Indianapolis had a graduation rate of just 30.5%

In point of fact, Indianapolis has the unfortunate distinction of being one of the nation's top twenty inner-city school districts with the lowest rates of graduation.

Why does Indianapolis have so many problems?

Problems include but are not limited to: poverty, crime, the fact that inner city schools have problems attracting and retaining highly qualified and experienced teachers, lack of parental support, lack of adult role models for students, lack of intervention programs which are geared at identifying and helping students at risk for dropping out, lack of mentoring and remedial programs, curriculum without sufficient academic rigor, faculty without high expectations of students, inadequate supplies, poor building maintenance etc.

Now ... add in special education and the academic challenge will become even more acute.

Without a strong special education background, I would recommend against considering this position.

[ChocolateNewOrleans]

all you have to do to get this job is say YES when they offer it to you.

A 3 year contract - wow - that's screams at 120 db's that the job you are applying for SUCKS!!! You are going to be given the worst of the worst kids. Drug dealers, gang bangers, etc who are only showing up to school because it's part of their probation.

Please don't think that things are going to be like they were on movies like Dangerous Minds, you will not.

I will leave teaching long before I ever teach a class like you are thinking about taking for a 3 year tour of duty.

[Boxcar]

i have to agree. Special Education is challenging! You have to be truly dedicated, flexible, strong, and skilled. I don't want to discourage you, but it is a difficult area to teach.

Here is what I strongly urge you to do. Try to sub. in as many Special Education classes as possible. If you don't feel comfortable subbing, get permission to observe at least. Go in and watch what goes down. You need to have a picture of what you're up against.

My question is: Why not get the two credits and go into the area you truly want? Lots of colleges offer single classes on the basis of pro. devl. and outside learners. Talk to the college you recieved your degree from. See what can be done.