CMS Speech

General Purpose: To inform

Specific Purpose: To inform the audience about the
responsibilities of a special education teacher and the
requirements essential to become one.
Topic: Special Education
Organizational Pattern:
Thesis: There is a great amount that goes into becoming a
special education teacher.
Preview: In order to assist a diversity of disabilities, special
education teachers much possess certain personality
characteristics as well as meet specific educational requirements.
Transition: When I was in high school I met weekly with the
special needs class room in order to provide the students with
exposure to general curriculum students. Before this experience,
I had viewed the special education program differently, which is
why I would like to share what special education is all about.

I. As I said earlier, I did not realize what

special education teachers did, and I am
assuming many of you dont either.
A. Confusion and underestimation of the responsibilities
of special education teachers is prevalent. On October
24 I interviewed Amy Garraway, a local special
education teacher who has taught elementary through
high school students to gain some insight on exactly
what special education is.

1. The first thing she explained to me was what an IEP or

Individual Education Program was. Before a student enters
a special assistance classroom, they must first develop this
IEP. To do this a selected team of parents, teachers, and
member of special education department must all be
present to determine what accomodations should be
provided, the skills that need to be reinforced, and goals for
the child. It is revised annually, but can be altered or
amended whenever necessary.
2. During our interview, Mrs. Garraway also explained some
of the responsibilities that go into being a special education
teacher.
a) Students include the ages 3-21 with disabilities that
range from mild to severe.
b) Some of the responsibilities for mild situations include
reteaching and retesting when there is failure, test
students in separate settings (reading tests orally if
needed), and taking notes for students. For more severe
disabilities, you are responsible for teaching everyday
life skills that could enable them to be self sustainable.
c) You are also responsible for meeting with fellow
teachers and parents frequently to discuss the childs
needs, progress, and issues.
d) The main responsibility is ensuring that each students
IEP is met.

Transition: With the vast array of job responsibilities and

disabilities, special education teachers must exhibit several
personality characters.

II. There are several qualities that enhance

success in the special education field of
teaching.
A. One quality that many people find as an odd
requirement but I observed in the teachers I followed
was discipline.
1. As the leader of the classroom you are expected to enforce
discipline. Many students with disabilities are simple
minded and by continuing to allow bad behavior, you are
enabling them.
2. Watching the head teacher discipline special needs students
was extremely difficult, which is why I believe that it is the
hardest quality to possess.

B. One of the qualities that I have learned in my own

experiences and Mrs. Garraway stressed during our
interview on October 24 is patience.
1. She explained that nothing comes easy for a special
education student and it takes many attempts to help them
understand what they are trying to learn. They tend to give
up easily and you must be willing to keep going.
2. I worked with the more severe physical and mental
disabilities. I was responsible for working with them on
everyday living tasks. They often got frustrated and threw
tantrums. I had to be patient and calm them down and
continue to attempt our lesson.

Transition: Even though these qualities are crucial to a

successful career, there are also many educational requirements
to obtain a teaching license.

III. There are general education requirements

for a teaching license as well as some that
vary from state to state.
A. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
website bls.gov, specific general requirements apply to
every special education teacher nation wide.
1. The first requirement is a bachelors degree. You may earn
a degree in special education or choose to major in
elementary education or any other subject, such as math or
english, and minor in special education.
2. Supervised experience in a classroom, commonly known
as student teaching is another requirement. The format of
the type of experience obtained is up to the teacher who is
supervising.

B. According to my interview with Mrs. Garraway, certain

states require teachers to meet additional achievements.
1. For example, as a resident of Mississippi, she has to renew
her license every 4 years by taking 2 classes.
2. If she were to want to teach in a different state, her license
may transfer or she would have to obtain the teaching
license for that state.
3. None of these requirements apply to teachers employed by
private schools. However, these school usually require a
bachelors degree at minimum.

Transition:
Citations:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor,

Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-2013
Edition, Special Education Teachers,
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/specialeducation-teachers.htm (visited October 24, 2012).
Amy Garraway (e-mail, October 24, 2012). Special
Communication Teacher