Similar Professions

There are a couple of similar professions that are like special education teachers. There is Childcare workers, Childcare workers care for children when parents and other family members are unavailable. They care for children’s basic needs, such as bathing and feeding. In addition, some help children prepare for kindergarten, and many help older children with homework.  This is similar in a sense that they help children out through life, not just studies and school.  Even though the children they help might not have down syndrome it could sort of relate with a special education teacher.

Sources:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Special Education Teachers, 
on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/special-education-teachers.htm (visited April 13, 2013).

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Outlook on the job

Special education teacher as a profession is expected to grow as the years go by.  Enrollment of special education students in kindergarten, elementary, and middle school grades is expected to grow faster than that in high school grades.  Along with enrollment growth, continued demand for special education services is expected.  Students will need the services of special education teachers to adapt lessons to their different learning styles and needs. general education teachers will need the help of special education teachers to learn how to present information to students who have learning disabilities.

Sources: 

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Special Education Teachers, 
on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/special-education-teachers.htm (visited April 13, 2013).

Important Qualities to have

Being a special education teacher you must maintain very important qualities that will help you deal with children who have down syndrome.  First you must have great communication skills, this is important because you deal with a lot of people from parents to other teachers.  Second there is creativity, this is needed to keep the child's attention on the lesson, always have something to interest the child and spark imagination.  Fourth is Patients, patients is the most important because working with children who have down syndrome can get tough, especially when teaching new material that the child might have difficulties learning. These steps are crucial to have when wanting to become a special education teacher.


Sources:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Special Education Teachers, 
on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/special-education-teachers.htm (visited April 13, 2013).

Work Surroundings

Special Education teachers have many different work areas they can choose from.  They can choose to work at a private or public schools.  Also other than schools there are daycares that take care of children with mental disabilities.  They usually work the normal school hours like other teachers.  Some teachers even choose to work in the home of the child, this usually happens if the child is still an infant to the teacher can teach the parents how to deal with them at a young age.  Helping a child with mental disabilities is very self rewarding, but it also can be draining for the teacher mentally and physically. 

Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Special Education Teachers, 
on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/special-education-teachers.htm (visited April 13, 2013).

What do Special Eduction teachers do?

In my opinion being a special eduction teacher is not just a privilege but also a blessing.  Special education teachers specialize in teaching children who have learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities.  The disabilities in the students are they help range from mild to severe.  For the students who are born with mild learning disabilities they take the approach by teaching them different learning strategies on a pace they can keep up with.  Then there are students with severe mental disabilities who are taught living skills and communication.  Special education teachers need to have the time and the patients to excel at there job.  It's a wonderful career if you are really passionate about it.

Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Special Education Teachers, 
on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/special-education-teachers.htm (visited April 13, 2013).