Professional Development for Special Education Teacher Candidates

Catalog description

As a new professional in the school, special educators must embrace the school and community to provide a welcoming, safe and equitable environment for all children. In this professional development course, special education teacher candidates will learn, interact and reflect on the teaching, leading, and advocacy skills needed to be effective in the classroom and beyond. Special educators play a key role in education of all students. Students will learn about the ways in which their career may look after graduation. In preparation, the criteria on which teacher candidates are evaluated, the interview process, and effective communication skills will be discussed. Special educators must collaborate with professionals in the school and community as well as family and caregivers of students to develop an effective individualized education program for each student. The course will cover the process of assessment, planning of lessons and interventions, as well as data collection and analysis for data-based decision making. Along with effective instruction and leadership, teacher candidates will learn to advocate for all learners on their caseload, and others during this course.