Special Ed. teachers... what would you do?

Hi ladies!

As some of you know, I am pregnant and due in about 6 weeks. UNfortunately, i cannot affrd to stay home next year, but can only take my 12 weeks. right now, I teach 5th grade special education. my model is a self-contained/inclusion class. I pull them and do my own reading, writing and math program with them and then push in with them into a general ed. setting for science, social studies and social things. i am with the SAME group all day. they are LOW functioning and it's an intense day.

i have been offered for next a 4th/5th grade resource room position for next year. i am wondering if i should take it. in some ways, i think i should as it would be a lot less physically taxing everyday and probably less planning because as a resource room teacher, although i will do some planning on my own, much of what i will do will depend on what the general ed. teacher needs me to do.

i am thinking that perhaps the resource room position would afford me more time at home (less work to bring home, getting home earlier), etc. but, at the same time, i am really comfortable with the person i push in with and i have been doing the self-contained/inclusion model for 4 years now and i worked really hard to develop the program.

what would you do....curious to hear thoughts, particularly from resource room teachers and those that have taught in both type of models.

TIA!

Message edited 5/18/2009 8:41:25 PM.

Re: Special Ed. teachers... what would you do?

I work in a 12:1 class and am with my students all day long.

I have never worked in a resource room but from what I could tell from the resource room teachers at my school, it doesn't seem like they are under the same pressure as the regular classroom teachers! (attn. all resource room teachers- PLEASE do not flame me for that!) It's just what I have observed

Personally, if I was in your position I would probably take the resource room. I would find it easier to collaborate with classroom teachers and take a small group of their students out for 40 minutes a day. I could be wrong, but I have a feeling they offered this to you knowing that it would be a less stressful position and took your situation as a mom-to-be into consideration! That's just what it sounds like to me because that sounds like a really good opportunity!

Would it be possible to speak to a current resource room teacher in the building to get a feel for what it's like, from their perspective?

Remember that next year you will be getting a new group of kids. You don't know what you will get! As a resource room teacher, although a 40 min session with a misbehaved kids could feel like 3 hours, it IS just 40 mins!

Good luck with your decision and with your baby!

Re: Special Ed. teachers... what would you do?

Take the RR and run with it.

I teach a 15:1 and would do anything for the break that RR gives you. Especially being a new mommy, you can't beat it.

Good luck

Re: Special Ed. teachers... what would you do?

I teach in a 15:1:1 classroom. If I were offered R . R. I would take it in a second. It is less stress for a new mommy

Re: Special Ed. teachers... what would you do?

I'd take the RR position. I've done 12:1:1 and now I do co-teaching. The difference in the amount of work I do now as compared to my first 7 years with the 12:1:1 is sooooooo much less. I know its not the same as rr but I think having a self-contained class is the most amount of work a special education teacher could do. Any other position, I think, will afford you with more time for baby. There's no saying you can't go back to self-contained, but for next year, take the rr position! JMO

Good luck!

Re: Special Ed. teachers... what would you do?

Def take it ! good luck

Re: Special Ed. teachers... what would you do?

I am a special education teacher at the high school level and I know that the elementary level is quite different.

This is a tough decision because you like the person you work with. I personally don't think that resource room is an easier position. It may involve less take home work but I definitely think it is a lot of work during the day.

With that being said, you have to go with your gut and figure out where you want to wind up. I personally teach in an Integrated class, self-contained (15-1) class and resource room. I like having all three in my day because it gives me variety.

Re: Special Ed. teachers... what would you do?

Posted by PennyCat


I have never worked in a resource room but from what I could tell from the resource room teachers at my school, it doesn't seem like they are under the same pressure as the regular classroom teachers! (attn. all resource room teachers- PLEASE do not flame me for that!) It's just what I have observed

Re: Special Ed. teachers... what would you do?

thank you everyone for your thoughts! i have decided to take it! i figured this is the year that might be good to make a change. my principal did say i can always go back the following year to my self-contained class, and this will provide me with a new opportunity as i've never done resource room before-- always self-contained and inclusion. i am hoping i made the right decision, but looking forward to trying something new.

Re: Special Ed. teachers... what would you do?