You Could be a Teacher with Special Needs!
After spending years in school to earn my Bachelor’s in Special Education degree, I have gained knowledge about the characteristics of a person having a certain disability or special need. Within that period, I’ve also met different people I could assess as “special.”
Let me describe the Top 3 types of “Special People” I’ve met in the classroom. But, instead of attributing the behavior manifestations to the learners, for a twist, I would like you to limn on your minds a teacher’s portrait — a TSN, in short.
A Teacher with Special Needs (TSN) is a term that I’ve “invented” as a counterpart of what we’ve already known as Children with Special Needs (CSN).
However, I would like to emphasize that what you are about to read is not fiction nor an invention. As far as I have observed, they exist in reality, yet the following characteristics do not generalize teachers.
Are you wondering if you’re a teacher with special needs? In that case, continue reading to find out more.
THE GIFTED TEACHERS
These people graduate with the highest grades and have vast collections of trophies, medals, certificates of appreciation, and plaques of recognition at home.
They could be easily identified by their choice of words. Many of them are fond of using figurative speech and words that are too deep for the immediate comprehension of the students.
Try to ask about a term you do not understand, and they will define it for you and give you concrete examples too!
Gifted individuals possess an IQ of 130 and above, and oftentimes, people would call them “nerds” or “walking dictionaries” because they know so many things. But, due to their level of intelligence, they get easily bored when they have to deal with slow learners.
The dilemma that students will possibly face in having a gifted teacher is being expected to meet a very high standard of performance.
Despite having exceptional intelligence, gifted teachers may lack the skills to modify their lessons to fit the non-exceptional minds of the students. Their most frequent flaw is expecting too much from their less capable learners.
Tips for the TSN: Be realistic in setting your goal. Set it at a level that your students can achieve. Mind the needs of your learners. Know their background and use it as the basis of your presentation.
Use only examples which are known to their culture. But if you cannot abstain from giving concepts that are unfamiliar to your learners, be sure to elaborate on those so the students can catch on.
TEACHERS WITH AUTISM
These teachers have difficulty understanding other people. They do not care much about the students’ concerns and stick to the rules since people with autism dislike changes.
They would not modify the activities even if the situation begs for it, and they are lazy to put tasks in proper organization and order. They continually do the teaching routine they were used to, even when new trends are already introduced.
Tips for the TSN: Avoid giving your students too many (10 are enough) rules. State them in brief, positive sentences. Don’t start a rule with “do not.” Remember that flexibility is a must in the classroom, so expect the unexpected.
If the students cannot understand the lesson, change the way you present it. Remember that there is no best strategy, but any method can be the best as long as it fits the learners’ needs. There is no need to stick to a sole theory in your teaching career.
TEACHERS WITH EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS (EBD)
Someone has probably met a teacher who comes late to class with a face as long as a fiddle, which could instantly turn your boredom in waiting (unless you don’t mind spending your time on anything) into a sympathetic mood.
They place their belongings on the teacher’s desk and sigh in front of you, saying, “I’m sorry. I’m late because of this and that…” The next thing you knew, you were presented with litanies of the teacher’s problems until you felt sorry for them for being bothered and could not teach you well.
You would probably just agree to have peer group discussions while your teacher stares blankly at the open space until class is over. Or perhaps, your teacher comes to school in a bad temper and scolds all of you for things you don’t even know have ever existed.
Tips for the TSN: Just like how the church and the state are separated, your personal life has nothing to do with your job. But it does not mean that you don’t need to be on guard with your morals.
Remember that you are set to be an example. Observe the Code of Ethics for Teachers. It would be unfair if you brought your troubles with you when you came to class. Your poor students do not deserve to reap the fruit of your bitterness over other matters. Do not use displacement as your defense mechanism.
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