Advice for new teachers entering the profession:
*Always find time to laugh*
Working in Special Education is an incredibly difficult but rewarding profession. You will most likely have your first week planned, walk in, and immediately think to yourself "this is not going to work." Being able and willing to change lesson plans and classroom management on the fly is essential to surviving your first year of teaching. You will need to constantly be changing up strategies as students come and go in your room throughout the year.
My First Year Survival Tips:
Spend time getting your caseload organized. If you need to change a student's placement or request behavioral assistance from the D.O. they will request months worth of documentation.
Spend time getting your caseload organized. If you need to change a student's placement or request behavioral assistance from the D.O. they will request months worth of documentation.
- Create a personal support system at work. Don't trust just anyone, take your time to find the right co-workers who can support you and provide comical relief on those super tough days. It's important to find co-workers that you can trust with sensitive student information.
- Be Flexible!
- Create a supportive relationship with your Para-professionals, and if it is not a good fit don't be afraid to request a new one.
- IEP's get faster and easier to write. Take your time on the first couple to correctly learn the information required on each page. I promise that you will be a pro with them before the end of the year.