What's it like being an LD teacher?

Do you truly want to know? Do you want us to talk you out of it, or into it? I could go either way, so let me knowI ask this because I’m interested in special education (particularly
: LD and ADD/ADHD), though I’m currently studying secondary science
: education.: I guess one of the main reasons I’m interested is that I want to help
: the students on a more personal level (in small groups or
: one-on-one) than is possible in a regular classroom. As a biology
: teacher with 4-5 classes of about two dozen students, I don’t
: think this would be possible.: Another reason is that I’m a Big Brother to an 8th grade boy with
: ADHD. He’s very intelligent, but I worry about how he’ll do in
: high school. I also worry because he’s somewhat lacking in social
: skills—such as paying attention during a conversation. As a
: special educator I’d be able to help students like him with social
: skills as well as academic ones.: My university offers a certification program for special education
: (with a concentration in reading/learning disorders), but I don’t
: want to change course until I’m sure I understand what the field
: entails.: So, do I have an accurate view of special education? Or am I laboring
: under misconceptions.: Thanks,: Tom

I’m looking to talk myself into it.I know it’s difficult, but after many observations I’ve concluded that it’s difficult being a teacher in any class. I think teaching LD students would provide me with more contact with students (I’m better one-on-one than in large groups) and allow me to help kids I couldn’t find time for in a regular classroom.The main reason I’m uncertain is that I was strongly considering becoming a middle school teacher until I did several observations of a middle school classroom. I’ve been encouraged by the responses I’ve gotten from some teachers here, but I don’t want to make a firm decision till I’ve done some observation in an LD classroom.: Do you truly want to know? Do you want us to talk you out of it, or
: into it? I could go either way, so let me know

I can’t try to talk you into it, without also telling you some of the realities.I have worked side by side with some of the best and worst special ed teachers in the business. I am a para-educator.From what I have experienced and observed, it takes a person with a big heart and a strong spirit to be a special ed teacher. It takes a person who is willing to go more than the extra mile to make a tiny bit of difference. Sometimes you will never know if you made any difference at all.It takes planning sometimes as many different lessons as there are kids assigned to you at any given period. Remember all are on IEP’s and their needs may be very different, even in the same class.It takes communcation skills the likes of which I haven’t even scratched the depths of. You have to be able to communicate with the students at their level, which educationally may be different than their social level. You have to be able to advocate for them with the regular ed teachers, when they are unable to advocate for themselves.You have to communicate to administration and parents about the kids in positive ways, even when the kids aren’t.You have to be a good manager, because you will rarely work alone, you will probably always be assigned an assistant. Some of us are good, and willing to go out of our way to make your job easier. Some of us are not so good….Know that you will not always be able to pick your assignments… As a special ed teacher, you will have a K-12 certification, and you could be assigned anything from a group of gifted kids to a low-functioning lifeskills class at any grade level. Usually you get to pick, but not always.But also know that you can make a world of difference.Last night, a student I worked with in 8th and 9th grade (oftentimes in small groups for reading and math) called me from Alaska, to tell me she was thinking about me!If I were a teacher, I think I would prefer a small private school settting where most of the kids really cared about being educated as opposed to a public school setting, but there is a need for caring special ed teachers. If you think you are one of those rare breed… go ahead.: I’m looking to talk myself into it.: I know it’s difficult, but after many observations I’ve concluded
: that it’s difficult being a teacher in any class. I think teaching
: LD students would provide me with more contact with students (I’m
: better one-on-one than in large groups) and allow me to help kids
: I couldn’t find time for in a regular classroom.: The main reason I’m uncertain is that I was strongly considering
: becoming a middle school teacher until I did several observations
: of a middle school classroom. I’ve been encouraged by the
: responses I’ve gotten from some teachers here, but I don’t want to
: make a firm decision till I’ve done some observation in an LD
: classroom.