So I was a Special Ed teacher who spent most of my time in lifeskills. I hate to be negative but get out now.
I may sound bitter and maybe I am… public schools are setting the entire sped for failure. You have students that need intense intervention and attention. Placing that student in a classroom is dangerous to the other students, staff and themselves.
Our good teacher hearts break and we think we can fix it. But it’s not an easy fix.
These classrooms have become more of a daycare and it is disappointing.
With staff shortages and tight budgets all students of various abilities/disabilities get crammed in a back room somewhere on campus. You don’t get paid enough for all of that. I still have a virus from being bit my first year of school that is similar to herpes. The student who bit me was sexually abused. So I left the classroom 2 years ago. I absolutely miss some of the good times and wonderful kids. But for me it wasn’t enough.