Joe Said:

about how much would a teacher make teaching special educational students?

We Answered:

We just watched a Fox News report with Newt Gingrich on College Education the other day and one story was of a young woman who went to a pristine private college and paid over $80,000 for her special education degree. She found a special education job that will pay her a sorry $30k a year. The poor woman was in tears over how much debt she has. :-(

I think she was from the Chicago area.

Cathy Said:

What are some good ways to teach music to special education students?

We Answered:

Depends what sort of 'special' education. Are we talking Autism, Downs Syndrome, mobility limitations, dyslexia? How old are the students? What are their capabilities now?

Freddie Said:

What is teaching Special Education really all about?

We Answered:

I am a special education teacher and I love my job. It's often frustrating, generally exhausting, but never ever boring. It's true that there is a lot of paperwork, but it's also true that you can work out systems that make the paperwork more manageable. I have excellent classroom assistants who do a lot of the data collection for me. I still put in many hours in the evening and on weekends, but so do most general ed teachers.

The most important requirement for being a special ed teacher is that you have to have the passion for it. If you don't love working with kids who have special needs, then don't think about teaching them. You need to be focused on the students and their needs. You need to be creative, because you will need to come up with many different approaches to teaching the same concept. You need a sense of humor. And you need to be able to put aside your personal feelings and do what's right for the students, even if they are being obnoxious or even physically assaultive. I have been hit, slapped, kicked, pinched, scratched, and bit by students. It can be hard to stay professional under such difficult circumstances. But there are so many rewards that I can accept the really difficult times.

Because there is nothing so gratifying as seeing things start to make to sense to children, and to know that you are making a positive difference in their future. I am so excited when my students begin to read, or talk, or use the toilet, or write, or take responsibility for their own choices. My students are incredibly cute and sweet, and there are wonderful moments every single day of school.

I would suggest that you spend some time either volunteering, or working as an assistant, in some special education classrooms before you make a decision.

John Said:

What is your philosophy about teaching special needs students in a "regular" classroom?

We Answered:

Special needs students are by definition in need of special teaching.Decisions about regular classes or seperate special needs classes should be made on an individual basis after comprehensive needs assesment.In other words treat each kid as a person with their own special set of needs.

Shannon Said:

What is something special I can do for my students on my last day of student teaching high school?

We Answered:

Tell them individually how they've improved and what you've enjoyed about having them in your class. That is something I bet they'll always remember.

Rosemary Said:

What kind of reading unit plans can be developed for teaching comprehension to high school special ed students

We Answered:

Try these:

http://www.carolhurst.com/
This provides a collection of reviews of books for children, ideas of ways to use them in a classroom, and collections of books and activities about particular subjects, curriculum areas, themes, and professional topics.

http://www.reachforreading.com/
This site offers educators intervention strategies for below grade readers.

http://www.reading.org
The International Reading Association is an organization devoted to further reading and literacy. It has information and links to current issues.

http://www.teacher.scholastic.com/
On this web page, you can find free tools and resources for the classroom such as: Lesson plans, teaching strategies, and many other tools.