Re: Job outlook for special ed

On 2/18/10, ExSped Teacher wrote:
> On 2/17/10, Rino wrote:
>> Are there too many special education certified candidate
>> teachers in the field or is there still a need?

There is still a need, but it's not as hot or open as you may
think. Nothing is hot in Illinois with the major state and
district budget issues and most other states are in the same boat.
However, at the end of the day, a sped certified teacher will
have better prospects than, say, a regular elem ed or high school
social studies teacher. Luckily, we have additional funding on
the sped side, as well as certain class size limits that limit the
cuts that can be made... LIMIT, but not eliminate. Just be as
open as you can in regards to the type of job and location.

Good luck

> There is always a need. Sped teachers don't retire from thier
> jobs- they change careers. So if you looking don't be
> discouraged. A few jobs will open by the end of the work day.

I agree with you that many sped teachers change careers but we
don't lose as many as you make it sound. It's going to be a lean
year for anyone looking for a job, but I'd rather be a sped
teacher looking for a job than nearly any reg ed field.

A lot of people like teaching special education students... but
the issues I've always had as a sped teacher, and now as a sped
administrator, is that working with kids is becoming less and less
an important part of the job. Working with little Jane or Johnny
after school to help them read better isn't what's important...
It's making sure your Indicator 13 page is correct or that your
IEP goals are updated the proper way. There's less and less time
for Johnny.