Over 50% of teachers leave after their first year of teaching. Take a moment to reflect on this fact. Years upon years of training, late nights of studying, thousands of dollars of loans, all for nothing. Is this my future? This isn’t a waste of my time, is it? I find these statistics to be haunting, as I plan to enter the field of special education.
I think about how this statistic will affect my future. The long, tedious days where I can never get a break. My overfilled classroom swarming my mind every second of my day. The towering stack of IEP papers demanding my attention. All of this work for a measly little number scribbled on a check? This is not something that teachers and potential teachers should have to worry about.
Initially, …show more content…
His eyes drooped from lack of sleep. Little strands of grey peeked from his young mousy brown hair. He and one paraprofessional were teaching a class of twenty-three exceptional needs children. The average is sixteen. By the end of the school year, my high school lost three out of seven special education teachers.
With all the hardship in mind, I still am choosing to pursue this sometimes draining career. I feel very connected to the special education community, and I will do everything in my power to help those with exceptional needs. I am studying my heart out, learning how disabilities work, and how I must learn to handle not only my future students, but myself once I am in the field. My biggest worry is what if I face burnout similar to those in my educational community? Or will I have a stroke of luck, and the educational system finally focuses on teacher retention? Not very likely.
Often times people say: “So, why special ed?” Emphasizing “special education” as if it were an unthinkable concept. To be completely honest, I still do not know the answer. I never really have. There was no “big defining moment” that many people have that lead me to my decision. The idea randomly popped into my head, and it felt comforting. This feeling of comfort came from thinking of my future classroom, decorating, meeting new students, and most importantly: …show more content…
They obviously want the best for their daughter, as any parents would. They were more supportive than others. Some, but not much, of my family is not particularly fond of special education. They see this as a “waste of money”. My grandfather, a University of Arizona advocate, was disgusted to hear I was attending Arizona State University, but then to find out I’m studying special education, it was a letdown. Through time, patience, and compassion, I have gotten my family to see my side of the story. Now my family calls me each day, asking of my new adventures in my major. My parents sit down with me and ask to hear new fascinating facts I’ve learned, and my encounters with exceptional needs
I think about how this statistic will affect my future. The long, tedious days where I can never get a break. My overfilled classroom swarming my mind every second of my day. The towering stack of IEP papers demanding my attention. All of this work for a measly little number scribbled on a check? This is not something that teachers and potential teachers should have to worry about.
Initially, …show more content…
His eyes drooped from lack of sleep. Little strands of grey peeked from his young mousy brown hair. He and one paraprofessional were teaching a class of twenty-three exceptional needs children. The average is sixteen. By the end of the school year, my high school lost three out of seven special education teachers.
With all the hardship in mind, I still am choosing to pursue this sometimes draining career. I feel very connected to the special education community, and I will do everything in my power to help those with exceptional needs. I am studying my heart out, learning how disabilities work, and how I must learn to handle not only my future students, but myself once I am in the field. My biggest worry is what if I face burnout similar to those in my educational community? Or will I have a stroke of luck, and the educational system finally focuses on teacher retention? Not very likely.
Often times people say: “So, why special ed?” Emphasizing “special education” as if it were an unthinkable concept. To be completely honest, I still do not know the answer. I never really have. There was no “big defining moment” that many people have that lead me to my decision. The idea randomly popped into my head, and it felt comforting. This feeling of comfort came from thinking of my future classroom, decorating, meeting new students, and most importantly: …show more content…
They obviously want the best for their daughter, as any parents would. They were more supportive than others. Some, but not much, of my family is not particularly fond of special education. They see this as a “waste of money”. My grandfather, a University of Arizona advocate, was disgusted to hear I was attending Arizona State University, but then to find out I’m studying special education, it was a letdown. Through time, patience, and compassion, I have gotten my family to see my side of the story. Now my family calls me each day, asking of my new adventures in my major. My parents sit down with me and ask to hear new fascinating facts I’ve learned, and my encounters with exceptional needs