I am interviewing for a sped position!!

[superteach]

I am a paraprofessional in a special education cross-cat class right now. I love it and the kids are all so great and have made an impression in my heart.
Well, I am also a certified 1-6th teacher, but from all my interviews, I have not sparked any of them.

Well, I interviewed at this one school district that I really would like to teach at, I interviewed for a 5th and 6th reading teacher, but they didn't choose me. I was bummed until the special education department at the same school district contacted me and wants me to come back for an interview. I am flattered, but I have hardly any knowledge in the field except for what the teacher I work for had shown me in the last couple days.

Does anyone have any advice for me? I am excited and feel that I will do a great job if I do get hired. I just don't have all the terms and policies for sped that I may need to know at the moment?

Anyone out there been in my situation that could pass on some advice?

[Boxcar]

I want to wish you luck.

I always find that bringing a portfolio of lesson plans and actiivites helpful when applying for a job.

[ChocolateNewOrleans]

you do realize that job offers from sped jobs are based on portfolios, experience, level of education... it's based on hiring someone that says "Yes, I'll take that job"

SPED jobs are the classes noone else wants. There is a reason why noone but new teachers apply for them. Behavior is horrible, which leads to poor academics, which leads to bad behavior.

[Boxcar]

I think that depends on the level. I've seen some five years + teachers who are really good at early education for at-risk and special needs children.

[RhotnSped]

I have been a Special Education teacher for 11 years! I absolutely LOVE.. LOVE my job! The kids are amazing! As I have been told many many times... it takes a special type of person to be a (good) Special Education teacher! I wish you good luck on getting the position!! School Districts requirements vary.. I would just brush up on the laws for your state and go from there!!
Good Luck!

[Miss T]

I was/am in the same spot. I teach alternative ed kids as well as a few special ed students. They've got IEPs. I would suggest writing down a list of questions to ask when you go to interview. Ask about the aids/assistants you will have or your students will need, and ask about the extent of your potential students' needs. Before my job now, I was in a regular gen-ed classroom when I student taught. I'd only taken 1 special ed course in college. I spent 6 weeks in a BOCES summer camp where I worked with kids with special needs. My cases were extreme and I cried every day when I came home because I was so frustrated. I could never do a job like that again. So make sure that what you're going to be doing is something you can handle. I know that I could NEVER work with kids that severe again; I'd be doing the kids a disservice. So, don't drive yourself nuts. I did for 6 weeks. I wouldn't recommend it

[mandydevine]

In my interview I said stated that, regardless of needs all pupils had to leave school being independent and socially acceptable!!! Apparently this is what made it!!

Good Luck xx

[NewSPEDTeacher]

you do realize that job offers from sped jobs are based on portfolios, experience, level of education... it's based on hiring someone that says "Yes, I'll take that job"

SPED jobs are the classes noone else wants. There is a reason why noone but new teachers apply for them. Behavior is horrible, which leads to poor academics, which leads to bad behavior.

Where I live, you have to have certification in special education (and usually a degree in it as well) in order to teach a special ed class. I'm not so sure people would go out of their way to pay for schooling and certification in an area that they "don't want."


Superteach,
If you have never taught sped before, I would suggest asking if they will provide you with a mentor. I would ask if there was a comparable class in the school that your students might be able to occasionally interact with socially and academically. I would ask how many students will be in the class and also what the ratio is (Student:teacher:paras)

[superteach]

Well, thanks to all of you for your advice. I have landed a position, but not in sped. It is 4th grade. I am really excited, but I will still consider sped in the future. I have seen it in a different light.

That brings me to one point. The teacher I help asked me the other day..."So, is sped what you expected it to be?" (I expected it to be alot worse before I ever stepped in here). I have to say that it has been a wonderful experience and that all of you who do teach it every day and live it are very wonderful people. I definately understand how much goes into it and that it takes the right people. I only wish all teachers could see it that way!

[Boxcar]

Congradulations on your new job!!!! That is great. I hope it turns out to be all you want it to be. :)

[psychteacher]

you do realize that job offers from sped jobs are based on portfolios, experience, level of education... it's based on hiring someone that says "Yes, I'll take that job"

SPED jobs are the classes noone else wants. There is a reason why noone but new teachers apply for them. Behavior is horrible, which leads to poor academics, which leads to bad behavior.
I'm an "old" special education teacher....just finishing up my 30th year and I still love what I do. My particular area of expertise is working with the behaviorally emotionally disabled kids. I spent nine years working in a day treatment program for kid with psychiatric disorders. It's not true that no one wants such jobs....they just aren't for everyone. You have to be just a little crazy, creative, patient, and able to look beneath the layers of awful behavior to find the human child....somebody's son or daughter....who still wants to win your approval, feel accepted, and make a connection with someone. Their behaviors are often strategies developed to help them survive horrors you wouldn't want to imagine. I admire their strength, resilience, and determination!

[FrazzleDazzle]

Nice first post.