Job Title / Job Description

Special Educator

I am a teacher in a Multi-handicapped Severe/Intensive Special Needs Class. The class consists of 7 special needs children with a variety of neurological, medical and physical disorders, eg. Spastic quadraplegia, cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, cytomegalio virus, vesicoureteral reflux, hearing impairments, absence of rostrum of corpus callosum, behavioral disorders, communication disorders, eye/sight problems and feeding issues (diet/feeding G-tube). The children are in wheelchairs and require lifting, proper positioning and stretching and strength exercises. I facilitate a comprehensive communication program during each activity, throughout the day. The staff and I teach the children “Intellikeys and Boardmaker” and other programs with switch devises. We are all trained in ALS (aided language stimulation), VOCA (switch/latch timers devises) devises, augmentative language communication and simple signing, PT stretching, equipment usage, lifting techniques, seizure protocol, CPR, CPI and first aid. The field is rewarding and there is so much to learn. The learning process is never-ending.

What are some related career opportunities and job titles in your company or in your career area?

I feel that in the future there will be an increasing demand for aumentative communication via computer and other electronic devices. There is a high turn-over of special educators and therefore is always a demand for teachers in this field.

What new technology will be important?

Technology is changing so rapidly. The school system needs to make sure that the schools keep up with technology. There needs to be an understanding state and federal wide.

What education or training did you have to prepare for this career?

Bachelors degree, two MASTERS DEGREES IN SPECIAL EDUCATION AND a dissertation away from my doctorate.

What education or training do you recommend for students today who want to enter this field?

Read, study, ask questions and participate... Volunteer for all special education populations... Hands-on experiential learning is the key.

When you were in high school, did you know that you would enter this field?

No...I was interested in physical ed and dance. It wasn‘t until I volunteered in a class for behavior/autistic children that I realized what I wanted to pursue.