So You're a Special Education Teacher?

Then I can assume, with the utmost of confidence, that you know what STRESS is.  And it's not just any kind of stress.

A special education teacher's job can be described as trying to juggle the items from a kitchen junk drawer while jumping on the trampoline in a hailstorm.   After 20+ years of teaching, I hate to brag but I can forget what I'm doing WHILE I'm doing it.

This job ain't for sissies ya'll! And what I've learned over all these years is... you have to take care of yourself.  You have to lean on other people to help take the load off.  You have to develop a support system of family and friends and co-workers who (even though they can't begin to understand) you can vent to.  And you have to laugh...so you don't cry.

But if I'm being honest...you're gonna cry.  It just comes with the territory. You'll cry when your students don't make progress.  You'll cry even more when they do.  You'll cry from exhaustion and you'll cry when anyone remotely criticizes you.  Because you, my friend, are a special educator.  You wouldn't be in this field if you didn't already have a giant sized heart.

So just roll with it. Wake up every morning and head back into the CHAOS with a smile...because your students need you.  And you need them. But take care of yourself along the way.  Use the links below to help you.