Why Special Education Is the Absolute Best Teaching Gig

Special ed teachers are superheroes, but the rewards are huge too.

Why Special Education Is the Best Teaching Gig
Horizontal composition vibrant color painting of a child drawing. Close-up of the silhouette of his small hands with white watercolor painting on a very colorful abstract background. Note: This artwork was made by me, the photographer of this painting when i was a kid.

Iā€™ve been in the special education business for more than 15 years as a teacher and school leader, and if thereā€™s one thing Iā€™ve heard over and over itā€™s, ā€œI donā€™t know how you do it.ā€ My immediate reaction: I canā€™t think of anything else Iā€™d rather do. And, with the wisdom from my years in Kā€“8 education, I can confidently say that special education is the best gig out there. Hereā€™s why:

1. More one-on-one time

I teach in a resource room, so my groups range from two to 10 students throughout the day. This means that I get to have more one-on-one conversations, share more jokes, and get to know my studentsā€™ thinking more than I would if I had them in a full classroom setting.

2. The best group of kids ever

I donā€™t choose my caseload, but no matter what school Iā€™ve been in, I always end up with the kids who are the quirkiest. The ones with the most out-of-the-box ideas, the most curious interests, and the most interesting behaviors.

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3. Constant opportunities to practice patience

When I tell people that I teach special education, often the first thing I hear is, ā€œOh, you must be so patient!ā€ The truth is Iā€™m not that patient because I know my students need to learn a lot, and fast. I do have mad ignoring skills and an appreciation for the quirky kids (see above). Still, itā€™s nice to be seen as a model of serenity.

4. Superpower problem-solving skills

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Students with IEPs come with their own unique concerns, from out-of-the-box behaviors to delays in reading and math. I get to be as creative as I want in identifying and solving academic, functional, and behavioral problems.

5. Lots of laughs

Itā€™s hard to surprise a special education teacherā€”weā€™ve seen everything. Combine that with the good sense of humor that seems innate to the special educators that Iā€™ve worked with, and you have the perfect go-to colleague for a good laugh after a hard day.

6. Helping parents navigate the system

When parents receive a referral for special education, itā€™s both a blessing (finally, weā€™re addressing the problem!) and a concern (what does this mean for my child?). Leading IEP meetings that help parents understand what special education is and how it will benefit their child is rewarding in unique way.

7. All the data

Now hear me out on this one. I know data isnā€™t usually at the top of the list of teachersā€™ favorite things. But I get data from all over the placeā€”evaluations, progress monitoring, formal and informal assessments. And I love to see all the ways my students grow all laid out in numbers and charts. It makes it easy to spot improvements that a standardized test canā€™t capture.

8. Being part of multiple teams

Not every teacher gets to be on every grade level team at once, but Iā€™ve been on every team from Kā€“8, often in the same school year. That means more work friends, more camaraderie, and a better understanding of whatā€™s happening across the school.

9. A chance to work across the school

Speaking of working in multiple classrooms, when I work with teachers to modify lessons for my students, I get to see whatā€™s happening in other classes, which constantly gives me new ideas. Thereā€™s nothing like watching a great teacher in action, and as a special education teacher, I get to be inspired every day.

10. Nothing but respect

When you tell people you teach middle school, you get street cred. Tell them you teach middle school special education, and you get nothing but respect. Perhaps itā€™s because people donā€™t know how sweet middle schoolers can be or they donā€™t realize how great it can be to help kids through this important life stage. Whatever the reason, Iā€™ve gotten many a deferential nod when I tell people what I do.

11. Thereā€™s a place for everyone

Special education is a field with many niches. I work in a resource room, but special ed teachers can work in self-contained, home-bound, and other settings. Itā€™s awesome to be part of such an inclusive community.

What do you love about being a special education teacher?Ā Come share in ourĀ WeAreTeachers HELPLINE groupĀ on Facebook.Ā 

Plus, 12 supplies youā€™ll want for your special ed classroom.

Why Special Education Is the Absolute Best Teaching Gig