Any Special Ed. Middle School Teachers?

[TennisLady]

Hi,

I recently earned my Special Ed. Endorsement. I have only substituted in Elementary Schools. I would like to know what kind of needs you work with if you teach Middle School students?

I might apply for a FT teaching job at a Middle School. I prefer working with the younger students in Elementary Schools though!!

[SunshineSkate]

Hi, I teach kids at the elementary level in a self-contained classroom and my kids are the ones you will likely be teaching. One thing I can tell you is be prepared for dramatic differences in your students. Some, such as those who are EMH, will likely be reading on a 1st grade level or lower. In my experience, it can be very challenging to teach low EMH students how to read, and after talking with people at the high school level they say the highest reading level they've seen is 4th grade. Believe me, I've tried so hard with my EMH students...

Some kids will likely read much better... Sometimes kids who are SLD but really challenged or speech/language impaired find themselves in these classrooms and they usually perform better than others.

There are so many different kinds of students who end up in self-contained classrooms, I couldn't possibly prepare you for all you will encounter. I see new things every year, heck, it changes from month to month. Each child is a like a puzzle and you have to figure out what that child needs and adjust what you do for them.

Teaching ESE is VERY challenging, but also very rewarding. One benefit - it never gets boring! Best of luck to you and if you learn of stuff that works for you, please post!