People ask me all of the time what my major is, and what I plan to do once I graduate college. Since the day that I applied to attend Campbellsville University, I declared my major as Special Education. I've known since I was in the fourth grade that that's what I want to do with my life. I've had my fair share of bumps in the road, but at the end of the day I know there's nothing else I would rather do.
The most common responses that I hear when people ask me what my major is usually sounds something like "Oh, bless your heart!" or "Run while you can!"
It takes a lot of patience to want to teach students with special needs. I understand that it takes a special person to want to do that with their life, but I also know that this is where God has called me and this is how I will spend my life serving Him. There are a million other professions that I could never imagine doing, but I would never dare encourage people to run from a profession that they are passionate about. Teaching is the profession that creates all other professions, and it just as important to teach "the least of these" as it is to teach students in a general education setting or work in any other profession.
Teaching special education students look a lot different from teaching in a typical classroom. My lesson plans will look more like teaching my students to be successful members of society, rather than to perform for a test. My students may not always be able to communicate with me, but when I see the smiles on their faces when they learn to count money or do their own load of laundry, I will know that I've made a difference.
I know that I am walking into a challenging career. I know there will be days that I'll be drowning in paperwork, creating IEP goals and behavior plans, and communicating with parents and administrators. I know there will be days where I am completely overwhelmed and feel like I can't go on another day. I know there will be days where it seems like I'm never making an impact on my students. Despite those days, I know there will also be days where I get to see my students be successful at something that they have worked so hard for. I know there will be days that I will get to love on my students and let them know how much they mean to be. I know there will be days where I come home smiling, knowing that I made a difference that day. Those are the days that I live for. Those are the days that will make it all worth it. Those are the days that I absolutely can't wait for.
As a future special education teacher, I promise my students that I will celebrate daily the little victories and constantly push them to reach their potential. No matter the disability, my students will not use that as an excuse to not try. My students will know without a doubt that I love them and care about them. Success will look different for each of my students, but we will embrace the diversity and celebrate individuality.
To the people that call me crazy, maybe I am, but I couldn't imagine life any other way. To the people that say "special education teachers don't last more than five years in the classroom," watch me. To the people that think individuals with special needs can't impact the world, take a seat and see what my future students can and will accomplish.
