Above and Beyond: 10 Reasons to Become a Special Education Preschool Teacher

It is Teacher Appreciation Week, so we decided to touch on one very special teaching job, special education. If you are asking yourself, “should I become a special education preschool teacher?” this blog is for you. Just like any career, being an early childhood special education teacher has its challenges, but at the same time, it offers an extremely rewarding career. Teachers who choose this path have the ability to make a life-long impact on many lives.

 

Teaching is a wonderful chance to change the world for our children, and special education is no different. Here are 10 advantages to choosing a career in early childhood special education.

 

Why should I become a special education preschool teacher?

 

Daily Impact

The amazing part about becoming a teacher is that you get to see the impact you have on your students each and every day. When an autistic child who is resistant of personal touch comes up and gently hugs you, you know you’ve impacted that child’s life in a real way. Celebrating small victories like these in a student’s life can have a large impact in their overall success. In just one year, a special education teacher can be the necessary element in a preschooler’s milestone successes.

 

Higher Demand

There is an increasing demand for special education teachers, especially at the preschool level. This demand keeps increasing because the number of students requiring services keeps growing. We know that the more intervention a child with disabilities receives, the better their future outlook. This means special education teachers who are looking for jobs can more readily find positions locally in Oswego and Syracuse, and nationwide.

 

More Marketable

Having an additional specialization makes a teacher more marketable for employment. It is helpful to have a specialized background in teaching because you are trained to help both special needs children and typically developing children. An employer sees someone that can teach in different settings when they look at a resume for a teacher certified in special education.

 

Educating Others

A special education preschool teacher can educate peers and other students. Often students with special needs find it very hard to socialize and interact with others, limiting the amount of social time they actually get. By educating others about disabilities, it removes uncertainty. When a bridge is made, these children often gain a lot from the socialization. Interacting with others of differing abilities gives students the chance to learn from one another and create bonds. That is why Little Lukes is an inclusive preschool; education breaks down social barriers thus changing communities.

 

Share Experiences

Whether you’re a teacher for special needs children or typically developing children, one of the absolute most rewarding parts of being a preschool teacher in particular, is sharing first experiences. You’ll be there for the first time a child pronounces their name correctly. You’ll be there for the first time they overcome their fear of sliding down the slide. You’ll be there when a child says their ABC’s all the way through for the first time. During a time when “firsts” come almost every day, you’ll have the privilege of witnessing their milestones.

 

Lifelong Impact

By impacting a child daily, it can lead to lifelong impact. When a child who has cerebral palsy successfully learns a new way to communicate, this can directly affect their independence later in life. From simple improvements to huge leaps, the impact a special education preschool teacher can have on a student can truly be life-changing.

 

Patience

For children that deal with developmental delays, it can be difficult for them to learn how to communicate their needs, preferences, and feelings. When you place this difficulty in the context of a busy classroom, it becomes even more challenging. Many teachers talk about how teaching changes them and helps them mature. One skill teachers often gain, is patience.

 

Setting Goals

Teachers help shape a child’s future. For a special needs child, this is especially important. As an early childhood special education teacher, you will be one of the child’s first partners in setting goals. From daily goals to weekly goals, you’ll help these children gain self-confidence and learn independence.

 

Help Parents and Families

Because children with developmental delays often have trouble communicating, it can be hard for the parents when they try to understand and bond with their child.  As a trained professional, you can help build that bridge for them.

 

Spread Awareness

Most people do not have the privilege to connect with special needs children on a daily basis. As a result, sometimes uncertainty and avoidance can form. Because you’ll interact with special education children every day, you can also become their advocate. Everybody deserves a voice and you can help them achieve that.

 

Inclusive Preschool in Syracuse and Oswego County

 

Little Lukes is a leading Syracuse and Oswego County education provider with five inclusion preschool locations. The early education program includes credentialed and caring staff that specializes in comprehensive infant, toddler and pre-kindergarten development. Additional services include pediatric speech therapy, pediatric physical therapy and pediatric occupational therapy. Preschool locations include Dewitt (East Syracuse), Baldwinsville (Radisson), Oswego, Fulton, and Pulaski.

 

For information about Little Lukes, please contact us at www.littlelukes.com/contact.html