Special education is a line of work that requires a lot of training, patience and skill, but can offer a great deal of satisfaction and fulfilment for the right individual. By definition, special education covers both adults and children who have various learning disabilities and need special attention by teachers and instructors. There are quite a number of benefits of being in this line of work.
Listed below are 5 key benefits of getting a job in special education. These benefits are meant to motivate potential teachers to join the profession, but it’s crucial to note that true passion for the job should be their main consideration before signing up. In general, special education is considered a challenging line of work that should only be undertaken by people who are fully prepared and willing to assist those are abled differently in society.
1. The Students
Adults and children with learning disabilities need good teachers even more than those without learning disabilities. The performance of such students is greatly dependent on how well they are taught and the environment they are taught in. Special education students often experience difficulties during learning. Teachers are required to make each lesson as easy and simple as possible. Many students who have learning disabilities have previously been neglected or not properly integrated into the education system. Because of this, they need a good teacher to guide them through the journey of learning. Most of these students are usually extremely grateful and happy when they succeed.
2. More Certifications, More Job Opportunities
Special education teachers need to be duly licensed and certified in order to be allowed to teach. Although this may require some form of investment in terms of time and money for a person who is already a teacher, the extra qualifications can translate into increased job opportunities. Special education teachers are required to have the basic course or subject certifications. The teachers that have special education certifications on top of their basic course or subject certifications have an added advantage professionally. They benefit from better employment opportunities throughout the duration of their careers.
3. Job Availability
Apart from being able to teach in ordinary or standard classrooms, teachers with special education training can also teach in classrooms that have students with learning disabilities. This fact alone means that there is never a shortage of job opening for teachers with special education certifications. Job availability for special education teachers is not an issue, as there is always demand for highly trained and skilled teachers who can work with students with learning disabilities. A dedicated and self-driven special education teacher can expect plenty of job opportunities in the marketplace.
4. The Joy
Teaching is a very fulfilling job. Although special education teachers may have a more difficult job than ordinary teachers because of having to deal with numerous emotional and behavioural problems among students, they do still enjoy a high level of joy and satisfaction from their jobs. Managing a classroom full of students with different learning disabilities is by no means an easy task. The teacher has to be keen and patient with all students in order to help them learn in the best way possible. Being successful in this endeavour and also getting paid well for it brings a lot of joy and satisfaction.
5. Shorter Work Days
Special education schools have slightly different timetables that provide for shorter learning days when compared to average schools. Shorter learning days, like those at Treloar, are possible due to fewer class requirements and flexible curriculums. Teachers in this line of work get additional free time from their busy schedules which they can use to advance their personal lives. Working with students who have learning disabilities is therefore not such a bad idea especially if you have a lenient schedule that allows you to even have a part-time job after you are done teaching.
