One more question and then I swear I'm done for today. Maybe.
Mr. B and I both have lots of experience teaching students with special needs. We've also both done lots of tutoring. But neither of us is certified in SED/SPED.
I've read some job postings for learning support teachers at small schools that sound like the sort of thing we'd enjoy. Do LS teachers (within a larger dept.) need to be SPED certified?
Thanks!
Learning Support
-
- Posts: 2140
- Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2012 9:49 am
-
- Posts: 120
- Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2012 4:21 pm
Reply
Most LS/SEN departments are small, your not going to be competitive without a certification. Most of the experiences you describe are typical of any general education teacher that works with SPED students in their classroom. That doesnt make you SPED qualified. A number of countries dont have formal SPED qualifications certifications, and in such cases ive seen teachers with degrees in psychology, etc work as SPED teachers, though thats more the exception then the rule.
"Working with" SPED studnts isnt the same as knowing the field. Have you had to write an IEP/Action Plan. Do you know the diagnostic terminology. How to interpret various psychometrics. Theres a lot more to it then just being extra patient and attentive with a student.
My problem is that the IS field isnt that big, and when you start applying at every school for every position just because you have some peripheral experience it comes off as desperate. You dont want to gain a negative reputation with a school or recruiter, so that when they really do have a vacancy youd be perfect for, they overlook you just because youve applied for every position in the past. Stick to what you really know and really are qualified to do. Its going to be your most marketable and competitive approach.
"Working with" SPED studnts isnt the same as knowing the field. Have you had to write an IEP/Action Plan. Do you know the diagnostic terminology. How to interpret various psychometrics. Theres a lot more to it then just being extra patient and attentive with a student.
My problem is that the IS field isnt that big, and when you start applying at every school for every position just because you have some peripheral experience it comes off as desperate. You dont want to gain a negative reputation with a school or recruiter, so that when they really do have a vacancy youd be perfect for, they overlook you just because youve applied for every position in the past. Stick to what you really know and really are qualified to do. Its going to be your most marketable and competitive approach.
-
- Posts: 76
- Joined: Fri Dec 07, 2012 1:39 pm
-
- Posts: 2140
- Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2012 9:49 am