Roles and Responsibilities of Special Educator

Roles and Responsibilities of Special Educator

As a special educator, I will have many duties to fulfill and for students, families, fellow staff members, my administration, and the community at large. Knowing and understanding these roles and responsibilities is vital to me so that I can maintain ethical, professional, and legal dispositions at all times. During the clinical field activity, my mentor teacher and I reflected on the duties and functions of special educators.

Special education teachers have a responsibility to manage cases and other people in their line of duty. Managing people and their cases for teachers include setting up rules and regulations of engagement, and carrying out their teaching roles and treating all people and cases with kindness and respect (Katsafanas, 2007).  Therefore, the teacher has to state classroom rules and regulations, attending to daily lessons for all groups, and preparing individualized instructions.

Special education teacher’s duty includes differentiating lesson plans with those of teachers offering general education (Morgan, 2016). Special educators have to modify lessons to meet each student’s needs as directed under the grade level accommodation on the IEP. Thus, the teacher has to develop lessons that accommodate all types of students.

According to Morgan (2016), special educators have to observe legal and confidentiality concerns when working with students and their families. Teachers are required not to share confidential information with third parties such as friends, co-workers, or family members. It is my responsibility as a special educator to report serious or repeated violations of school rules, runaway, habitually truant, intoxicating beverages, and weapons. Special educators have a role in protecting their students in all means.

Special education teachers’ responsibility also involves conflict resolution in the learning environment (Morgan, 2016). In learning, environment disagreements occur, and it can result in conflicts among students, staff, and in some cases, with parents or families.  There are different ways that a special educator can deal with conflict, such as referrals. The teacher is required to put complaints and serious concerns in writings, meet with the student caretaker, and have the referral report sent to the student’s behavior support personnel.

Special educators are needed to get involved beyond the classroom. Special education teacher understands that learning is a continuous process for kids with special needs (Morgan, 2016). Thus, the teacher must work with other help centers to help the kids to assist the kids and parents. The teacher must also participate in extracurricular activities.

Special education teachers must undergo lifelong learning to stay updated with the everchanging special education and legislation trends (Katsafanas, 2007). Teachers are required to attend at least two workshops annually. In addition, teachers must-read materials provided by the state and attend Special Education Professional Development. Lifelong learning and training equip special educators with the knowledge and skills to help students and families.

Special education teachers have a role in advocating and mentoring students, families, and colleagues (Katsafanas, 2007). The teacher can recommend changes within special education. Teachers can advocate for changes in different areas of special education, such as referrals, disciplinarians, student hearing offices, and so forth.

Special educators have a responsibility to identify the students’ needs and to recommend further help that students can get (Katsafanas, 2007). Teachers must work with other teachers and parents and professionals to help identify and address special kids that need further interventions.

From this field exercise, my knowledge of the duties of special teachers was expanded. Initially, I thought that teacher’s roles are confined within the classroom environment, but now I understand that teachers can play significant roles in aspects that are without the classroom environment. One area of concern that I would like to acquire more knowledge is on the role of a teacher in advocation.

References

Katsafanas, J. D. (2007). The roles and responsibilities of special education teachers (Doctoral dissertation, University of Pittsburgh).

Morgan, J. L. (2016). Reshaping the Role of a Special Educator into a Collaborative Learning Specialist. International Journal of Whole Schooling, 12(1), 40-60.