Five Traits of Effective Special Education That a Future Shadow Teacher Should Know
4th March 2020
Teachers are the cornerstone of children’s development. A competent teacher offers inspiration and encouragement so that students achieve success inside and outside the classroom. When it comes to children with special needs, teachers must possess characteristics that help them deal with physical and cognitive disorders.
This is a career which not only offers the opportunity to work with the students with special needs but also helps in understanding the nuances of shadow teaching in a broadened manner. In this blog, we will look at the traits that can be effective for the future special education teachers, who are currently pursuing a comprehensive course in shadow teacher training.
Here are five effective traits of every special education teacher.
1. Patience
When a child has special needs, patience is a must. Since this type of student takes longer to perform simple tasks, understanding is the key for development. No matter how long it takes, a special education teacher must give a child time to complete the task. Having a good sense of humour will help along the way. Although the classroom is a place for serious learning, dealing with a special needs child will require the ability to create a cheerful environment that empowers this type of student to gain success. Also, it is up to this teacher to take time and comprehend each student’s individual needs so that frustrating situations can be avoided. This is something which needs to be inculcated by a future shadow teacher, especially for those who are currently pursuing a shadow teacher training course.
2. Organization
Organization is the key for all teachers, especially those who deal with students with special needs. When a child is taught in an organized environment, he or she will have higher confidence levels, which is a dire necessity for anyone who is willing to make a mark as a future shadow educator. There are numerous ways a teacher can remain organized. Every special education teacher must keep records so that he/she can accurately report students’ accomplishments to administrators and parents as well.
3. Creativity
Since all children have different learning styles, a future special education teacher, who is currently pursuing a course in shadow teacher training, must have the ability to adapt to lessons that work for the strengths of each child. In certain circumstances, students may function well but have social interaction problems.
Others may not be able to perform basic speaking or motor skills. While designing daily activities and plans for the classroom, a teacher must get creative in order to accommodate all of the children’s needs. Since the special needs may manifest differently each day, planning must remain flexible as well. There must be time to deal with outbursts or other roadblocks. New teaching techniques are developed on a regular basis, so a special education teacher must remain aware of the most effective methods.
4. Acceptance
A special education teacher works alongside the students and deals with various problems. No matter the issues, this professional must accept all children and interact with dignity and respect. Even children who are unable to communicate properly or function at low developmental levels , sense negativity, especially when a teacher is acting in an uncomfortable manner. It is the key to create a sense of value within the classroom so that all children have the maximum chances of gaining success and every learner of a course in shadow teacher training should have a thorough understanding about the same.
5. Intuitive and Calming Nature
Certain children find it difficult to express their feelings, especially when they have communication problems. Often times, special needs students withdraw or act negatively when they get confused or feel overwhelmed. A special education teacher must use his or her intuitive skills to uncover the underlying reasons behind the poor behaviour.
Also, it is essential to provide a calm temperament when dealing with this type of students. Many children must balance behavioural and learning issues, so a classroom environment can be extremely stressful. An effective teacher will be able to calm his or her students so that anxiety is reduced. When children feel secure and comfortable, they are more likely to be open to learning.
From the abovementioned points, it is clear that the traits of effective special education can be helpful for the development of the future special needs educators. This is also essential for the development of the overall teaching-learning procedure, which caters to the development of the students with special needs and this should be inculcated by the learners of a comprehensive course of shadow teacher training.
Special education teachers require a number of skills different from traditional educators. They play a vital role in the classroom and must work hard to maintain balance. The above traits are just a few characteristics that create an environment that works well for children with special physical and emotional needs. When a teacher possesses these virtues, special needs students are sure to thrive under his/her tutelage to a great extent.
