Derrick Cacioppo: 1) When did you start to want to become a teacher?I always knew I wanted to set an example for others and be in some type of leadership role as a young girl. I did not know exactly what occupation that would be in until a few years into high school.2) What made you want to be a "special" education teacher?True story - As a teenager I was misplaced in special education at an alternative high school. The teachers at this school immediately picked up on this "misplacement", but I was there for the entire year and had to show a year of "good behavior" to return to my original high school. I made the best out of the situation and as it turned out, I helped the teachers with several of my peers and enjoyed every minute of it. This is how I found my true calling in life!3) Was this your original plan?Sort of, I first went to college for psychology because I figured that I needed to truly understand disabilities in itself before I was to be successful in provi! ding the best education possible for children with disabilities. I ended up changing over to education in my undergraduate plan, but had enough psychology credits to build from 9enough to declare a "minor'.4) What did you study in school?Bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education, minor in Special Education, minor in PsychologyMaster degree in Special Education5) What degrees did you get?Bachelor's and master's6) What was your first job in this specific field?My first actual job (excluding the personal experiences!) in this field was two years after high school as a teaching assistant. 7) Have you struggled in this field/ been successful?I think every day is a struggle in this field, but not in a bad way. I struggle everyday to be the best I can be for my students, and set them up for success. But the struggles pay off as I am extremely successful and have significantly impacted the lives of most of my students. 8) What are the positives and negatives in being in this! field?The positives are definitely the personal rewards. As ! I already mentioned, I go "above and beyond" for my students. It all pays off in the end because most of the time you get back even more than you put in. In this field even the smallest gains are heartfelt and priceless! The "negatives" to this field are that you need to be determined and headstrong. More simply put - you can never ever give up on a student! It's during the tough times that they need you the most! 9) What do you consider an important factor to keep in mind while getting into this field?As I just mentioned, you need to be determined and remember that "quitting" is never the answer. You need to be motivated by the challenges in this field.10) Are you interested in psychology or teacher or both?Both! I find that the two are very closely related.What kind of children do you work with? What kind of needs to they have? I have experience with the following disabilities:Autism (PDD and Asperger's)Mental RetardationDown's SyndromeDyslexiaDysgraphiaADHDEmotional! /Behavior DisordersBipolar DisorderOppositional Defiant DisorderDeaf/BlindWilliam's SyndromeReactive Attachment DisorderPost Traumatic Stress DisorderAlso, collaboration and good communication (especially with families) is the key to being successful in this field!Good luck to you - Hope I've helped some!...Show more
Denna Prudente: I am not a special education teacher, but I have a question I strongly recommend you ask. I think the answers may surprise you. The question is: Have you ever felt pressured to alter your recommendations for a child by your administrators?The reason I feel this question is important is because as the parent of a special-needs child and a special-ed advocate, I have met dozens of teachers that have not been allowed to freely advocate and recommend help for children. I have even met some teachers that have been fired for following their hearts rather than threats from administrators.Just my two cents......Show more
Ardelia Liptow: ! I'm not a special education teacher. I'm the parent of children in spe! cial education. I just wanted to say that there's nothing worse to the parent of an afflicted child to be at the mercy of someone not well-trained or uncaring and there is nothing better in this world than a truly caring, dedicated teacher of our children. I hope you will be the latter. It sounds like you're on the right track. Thank you for what you intend to do with your life.I think, based on my own collegiate experience, that our internship mentors/supervisors expect it to come with the territory to do things that they don't necessarily have time for but that are important to the knowledge base/resume of the intern. I would submit the questions to her in writing Monday morning and tell her when you need to hand in your interview. She should make the time. If she doesn't, ask your professor /adviser who they'd prefer you interview next.Those are excellent questions by the way. It wouldn't hurt to also include your answers to those questions. It shows that you'! ve thought about your direction....Show more
Florencio Dingle: ) When did you start to want to become a teacher? Since I was in elementary school. No matter what job I've had - I've always been in charge of training or staff development.2) What made you want to be a "special" education teacher? I wanted to be prepared for the unique students that would be in my class.3) Was this your original plan? Teach Elementary school4) What did you study in school? Elementary Education - Special Education5) What degrees did you get?BS Education (Elementary and Special Ed)MS Educational LeadershipSpecialist Special Education Director and K-12 Principal6) What was your first job in this specific field?Many years as a sub - High School Asperger students.7) Have you struggled in this field/ been successful?Pretty successful - but I came back to teaching after many years in government and business.8) What are the positives and negatives in being in this field?Negative - you can supp! ort, you can problem solve - you cannot FIX - it's human nature to want! to make bad things go away.Positive - promoting all students and people who work with them to aim for greatness - and increase independence.9) What do you consider an important factor to keep in mind while getting into this field?Learn how to listen to parents without being reactive, learn how to build a Colaborative team.Thank you!5 hours ago - 3 days left to answer. Additional Details5 hours ago10) Are you interested in psychology or teacher or both?I am interested in the connection between mental illness and ASD, ADHD etc etc . So many times things just come with baggage.5 hours agoWhat kind of children do you work with? What kind of needs to they have.Austim - various needs...Show more
Carmelina Enoch: 1) When I read the Scholastic Press version of "The Story of My Life" by Helen Keller.2) Interest in the deaf & blind, originally. Later interest in children with autism.3)Yes.4) 5) Education of the Deaf for B.S. degree. Educational Psychology for M.A. degree.6) T! eacher's aide in a class for deaf children.7) I wasn't good at classroom control, so went back & became school psychologist.8) Positives: real impact on childrens' lives & families! There will always be people needing your help. Negatives: often looked down-on by regular-ed teachers, you get the worst classrooms, located far from the office, not considered part of the school. You may get injured by students.9) Be sure you are patient & have a positive, optimistic attitude. Be sure you can do positive self-care & set limits so you don't get burned-out....Show more
Tomeka Hameen: 10) Are you interested in psychology or teacher or both?
Clifford Gombos: What kind of children do you work with? What kind of needs to they have?
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