The number of differently-abled children is on the rise in India. However, the number of educators to teach these children is comparatively low. This causes a great disparity and a severe shortage of special education teachers to fulfill the requirements of the growing number of special needs children. The efficiency of special education relies on the competency of special education teachers.
However, the shortage of trained special educators creates a wide gap in offering quality education to such children. Moreover, mainstream school teachers and regular schools often lack the expertise to address the exact needs of students with disabilities. Hence, more and more youngsters are encouraged to take up the role of special education teachers to fill the shortage of such educators in the country.
If you are passionate about teaching and want to make your mark in this field to help differently-abled kids learn and prosper, you can pursue a course in becoming a special education teacher.
In this post, we will understand the role of a special education teacher and how to become a special education teacher in India.
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A special education teacher is required to work with special needs children of different age groups. Special needs children can be segregated into several categories such as children with physical needs, cognitive needs, as well as emotional needs. As a special education teacher, one might have to work with a class of children with different abilities and needs. Alternatively, you may also work in centers or normal classes with limited differently-abled children and assist them to achieve their best. In this case, you will be assisting the mainstream teachers in providing individual attention to the special needs children.
Special education teachers use unique approaches to develop the full potential of special needs children. Moreover, these teachers may also develop Individualised Education Programs (IEPs) to track the progress of each child as per their set goals. Additionally, these teachers coordinate with other educators to prepare lessons and maintain progress reports as well as communicate regularly with parents and guardians of students about the progress of the child.
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Primary Job Responsibilities of Special Education Teachers
Let us understand the roles and responsibilities of special education teachers in detail. So, what does a special education teacher do in a school? Now, as already discussed, special needs children have different abilities and needs depending on their special abilities. Some may communicate and interact easily, while others may be introverted and find it challenging to mix with people. Hence, special education teachers have to be super talented to bring the best out of the special needs children to help them flourish.
Below are some primary responsibilities of special education teachers:
- Teaching students with special needs via several strategies to enhance their academic and non-academic growth
- To make study plans as per the needs of these students by observing them and their requirements as well as through IEPs
- To conduct regular tests to identify the progress made by students and help determine the developmental levels and potential of these special kids
- These teachers are also responsible for noticing the psychological as well as physical performance of such students
- They must facilitate students with indoor and outdoor activities, especially for the ones who struggle with motor skills.
- They should encourage special learning methods to inspire active participation of these kids
- They are required to meet other teachers and parents of these children to discuss their performance
What Skills Are Required to Become a Special Education Teacher?
To become a special education teacher, you need to complete a specialized degree, diploma, or certification in special education teacher programs. Moreover, if candidates are willing to cater to a specific need of special children, such as to teach autistic kids, they may pursue specialized certification in that sphere.
To become a special education teacher in India, below are the steps that can be completed:
- Complete your 10+2 and pursue a bachelor’s degree in any subject of your choice. However, a bachelor's degree in psychology is an added advantage.
- Next, you can pursue a certificate course or diploma in special education. Alternatively, you can even pursue a degree in special education after 10+2. For example, a Diploma/Degree in Special Education (D.Ed.) or a Postgraduate Diploma in Special Education (PGDSE).
- Besides, you also need proficiency in the language of instruction you choose
Here you may note that special education teacher certification can be of different categories, such as:
- To teach students from primary to secondary classes.
- To teach students with high-incidence special abilities.
- For students with low incidence special abilities.
- For students with varied behavioral and emotional requirements.
- Autistic students or students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD)
- For college and university students
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In the first category, educators have to work with young differently-abled children including adolescents. They might have to teach students from elementary levels and go up to secondary levels. These kids generally are differently-abled with moderate to high-intensity requirements. They can be primary, middle school, or secondary students.
The students coming under high incidence special abilities might have problems with speech and language or behavioral and learning challenges. On the other hand, students with low incidence of different abilities might have physical and cognitive needs and they need assistance with reading and practical things.
Similarly, those students who portray challenges in behavioral patterns need to deal with anxiety, ADHD, and depression. Autistic children, on the other hand, have issues in communication, social settings, etc. Likewise, some teachers might work with students with special needs studying in colleges and universities.
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A special education teacher is a person who teaches children with special needs to help them learn the same lessons and skills learned by children in regular schools. Unlike mainstream teachers, the task of teaching children with special needs can be comparatively challenging at times. However, the satisfaction it brings in helping these kids learn better and reach their potential is immense.
If you are willing to take up this challenge of allowing differently-abled students to grow with a good education and all the necessary facilities received by regular students, you can join a course in special education to pursue a career in this field. Amity Online University presents many such interesting diploma and degree courses that you can join to pursue a career as a special education teacher. Visit Amity Online to learn more.
