Teaching is one of the most rewarding careers, especially when you're helping children with special needs get an education. If you are passionate about teaching and would want to pursue a career in this field, here are a few things you should know about being a special educational needs teacher.
What Is A SEN Teacher?
A special educational needs teacher educates children with physical disabilities, sensory impairments, emotional, social, and mental health needs, learning difficulties such as dyslexia, ADHD, dyspraxia, autism, or a combination of these difficulties. A key aspect of working with special needs children is identifying each child's needs and then creating a safe, stimulating, and supporting learning environment.
To become a special educational needs teacher in England and Wales, you must have a bachelor's degree in education or PGCE. While having the required training is essential, you must also be passionate about helping children with special educational needs. Remember, it is against the law to discriminate against disabled students according to the special educational needs and disability act 2001.
What Are The Responsibilities Of A Special Educational Needs Teacher?
Children with special needs mentioned above have a harder time learning compared to other students. Although many of them are educated in mainstream primary and secondary schools, they need additional help to thrive in their studies, and this is where SEN teachers come in. Your responsibilities as a SEN teacher will include:
• Planning, preparing and researching lessons
• Developing programmes of learning activities
• Preparing teaching materials
• Utilising special facilities and equipment
• Assessing students' work and providing feedback
• Creating teaching time with students on a class, group and individual basis
• Collaborating with parents and other professionals such as physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, and educational therapists
Who Are The Typical Employers Of Special Educational Needs Teachers?
As a SEN teacher, you can work in mainstream schools or special schools. SEN Schools offer support and education to children with additional needs ranging from Moderate to Severe learning difficulties. Whether you teach in a mainstream school or special educational needs schools, your teaching experience will be equally rewarding and challenging. You will have a huge impact on your student's education and life in general, so it is important that you develop a profound understanding of every student's needs.
At Coba Education, we connect primary, secondary and SEN schools with qualified teaching staff for permanent or temporary placement. If you are a qualified teacher, register with Coba today to discover exciting job opportunities.
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