When you take on the role of a special education teacher, it is important for you to realize that you are doing more than becoming a teacher – you are also taking on the role of an advocate for your students. The reality is that special needs students still face discrimination in the schools and often have difficulty obtaining the type of educational program they need because other teachers and even administrators simply are not knowledgeable about special education. Therefore, it is your job to help others in your school know how to work with your students while also doing everything possible to help your students succeed.

Teachers and Special Needs Students

When it comes to special needs students, it is important to understand that many general education teachers are woefully unaware of how to help these students succeed. The reality is that many teachers have not taken coursework in the area and have very little experience with teaching special needs students. Therefore, you have to be willing to pick up the torch and carry it to these teachers to help them understand how to work with them more effectively.

Working with general education teachers and advocating for the needs of your students can be a difficult process. After all, you have to work with these teachers on a regular basis and you don’t want to step on any toes. At the same time, it is your responsibility as the teacher of record for these students to make certain their needs are met. Therefore, you need to do everything possible to work closely with these teachers and to help them understand how to more effectively work with your students.

Administrators and Special Needs Students

In addition to having to advocate for your students with teachers, you may also need to stand up for the rights of your children with your administrators. In many cases, administrators are not fully aware of special education laws and how to implement them properly. Unfortunately, if you do not abide by special education laws, you can be found liable for failure to create and implement a proper plan for your students. Therefore, it may also be part of your job to educate your administrators while also standing up against them if they do not do what is best for your students.

In many cases, administrators will attempt to do what is easiest rather than what is best for the student. If a student is causing too many headaches in terms of his or her behavior, for example, the administrator may want to simply kick the student out of school. As the special education teacher, you must analyze the situation and be willing to stick up for your student’s right to remain in the school if you truly feel that is the student’s best educational setting.

Parents and Special Needs Students

Unfortunately, you may also find yourself having to advocate for the rights of your students with their parents. You will often find that parents have a poor understanding of their own children’s disabilities and, as a result, they do not know how to follow through with helping their children while they are at home. Therefore, you will need to make an effort to communicate regularly with the parents of your students and to provide them with the tools they need to help their children be more successful.

In addition to helping your students’ parents understand how to work with their children at home, you may also need to help educate them about their rights and the rights of their children. Many parents are not aware of their rights or how they can implement them completely. As such, you might find yourself needing to be a teacher to your students’ parents as well as to your students.