Hello and welcome to Specially Educated! I have been working with students with special needs since 2003!
I began my path down special education first by working as a teaching assistant in a self-contained classroom. I'll admit, I had NO IDEA what I was getting in to. The classroom consisted mostly of students with autism. I had heard of the syndrome before, but really knew nothing about it. It took me a few weeks to get in to the swing of things and learn about the students I was working with. A completely new experience for me. It was not easy. There were days I would come home with bite marks, bruises, scratches, chunks of hair missing...you name it! But ultimately, I loved it. I would try to put my place in the shoes of the child. What were they feeling? What were they trying to communicate? How could I help make their lives easier? It was during this time that I decided I wanted to become a special education teacher.
I finished my schooling in 2006. I was told "not to worry" by former and current supervisors when it came to getting a job in the district for the upcoming school year. Yet, two interviews later by a former supervisor and being told I did not get the job...I WAS WORRIED!! "Oh crap!" moment number one came during one of those interviews when she asked me if I knew anything about Verbal Behavior teaching, Dr. Carbone, and making behavior support plans. Wait?! What?! Here is the hole in my education. Should I know these people? I do now, but I sure didn't then. Needless to say, I didn't get either of those two openings. Yet, I was still told, not to worry. Yeah, okay.
Another interview came with a supervisor I had never met and I felt a little better about it. Two more positions available, with three candidates. The classroom dynamics, while still self-contained, were a little bit different. While there may be students with autism in the class, the population was more mixed. Students with cognitive impairments, those one in a billion syndromes you never knew existed, or physical disabilities. I did the best I could in the interview and YAY got the job!
"Oh crap!" moments kept coming and going my first year of teaching. Who knew how much paperwork went in to a regular annual review, let alone a three year reevaluation! I was overwhelmed to say the least. I was and am still lucky to have a wonderful group of teachers with whom I work with. I don't know if I could have survived without their knowledge and input.
Several years later I still love what I am doing! I have transitioned out of the self-contained environment and am now working as a resource teacher at the elementary level. I have served on several district committees and have taken on several leadership roles. I've toyed with the idea of going back to school for Educational Leadership (Principal and Director of Special Education endorsements), but haven't quite decided if I'm ready to leave the classroom yet. Sure each year (let alone day) offer up new challenges and obstacles, but that's what keeps it interesting!
Thank you for taking the time to read about me and perhaps follow my blog. I truly hope some of the information I will provide is helpful!
