WHAT IS SPECIAL EDUCATION?
Special education is the practice of educating students in a way that addresses their individual differences and special needs. Ideally, this process involves the individually planned and systematically monitored arrangement of teaching procedures, adapted equipment and materials, and accessible settings.
WHAT DO THEY DO?
They essentially work with children who have physical, mental and emotional challenges
They assess the students of these challenges and then plan out a schedule or an educational plan that individually is sorted to each of these students and then they impart education on the basis of these educational plans
Special educators essentially team up or work with general education teacher, counselors, parents and many other resource persons
They either work in class room where other students are also studying along with children with special challenges
Sometimes they work in classrooms where there are children with special challenges only present and sometimes they have to teach for students individually.
ELIGIBILITY:
Anyone who has 10 +2 along with diploma in special education can be a special education teacher at the primary level
Anyone who wants to be a special educator in higher than primary teacher level will need to have a graduation a B.ed in special education and also a 6 months training program in special education
Some schools and organizations will also expect teachers to have a 6 month of internship or field work
Preferable institutions:
Lady Irwin College, New Delhi
YMCA Institute for special education
Navajyothi Trust Institute of mental retardation, Chennai
Rangammal Memorial Teacher Training school, Tiruvannamalai
SKILLS REQUIRED:
Empathy
Problem solving skills
Creativity
Diplomacy
Ability to work with children
Patience
Humour
SALARY:
A fresher as a special educator can earn anywhere around 25,000. In international school one can easily get 35,000 and above
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Why is special education important?
ANS: It allows the students to enjoy the education and gain confidence due to individual learning. For the personal growth and development of the special children, it is important for all of them to receive proper education.
What are the disadvantages of special education?
ANS: Because they work with students who have emotional and behavioral disabilities, special education teachers may face students meltdowns, tantrums and other uncontrollable behavior. They may face frustrated students who are struggling academically and rebelling by refusing to do their work.