scholarly journals Exceptional Educators: Canada’s First Special Education Teachers, 1910–45

Author(s):  
Jason Ellis

The article examines the personal backgrounds and professional lives of Canada’s earliest special education teachers. It considers the approximately 340 women and men who, between 1910 and 1945, taught special education classes in the public elementary schools of Toronto and Vancouver—the first two systems in the country to offer special education programs. Twelve selected special educators are discussed in more depth based on traces of their lives found in an eclectic array of sources, including school reports, the census, and vital records. The article considers early special educators’ gender; teacher training, certification, extra qualifications, and length of service; and their relationship as non-disabled adults to children with disabilities. It discusses each of these factors in light of what it can tell us about the uniqueness of early special educators and what in turn the personal and professional stories of these individuals can tell us about the history of special education.RésuméCet article explore les antécédents personnels et la vie professionnelle des premiers enseignants en éducation spécialisée au Canada. Il prend en compte les quelque 340 femmes et hommes qui, entre 1910 et 1945, ont donné des cours d’éducation spécialisés dans les écoles primaires publiques de Toronto et de Vancouver — les deux premiers systèmes scolaires au pays à offrir des programmes d’éducation spécialisée. Cet article s’intéresse particulièrement au profil de douze éducateurs spécialisés dont il est possible de suivre la trace à partir d’un ensemble de sources éclectiques incluant les rapports scolaires, les recensements, et les registres d’état civil. Il prend en compte le genre des premiers éducateurs spécialisés, la formation des enseignants, la certification, les qualifications supplémentaires, le nombre d’années de service, ainsi que la relation de ces adultes non handicapés avec des enfants ayant une limitation fonctionnelle. Chacun de ces facteurs est analysé à la lumière de ce qu’ils peuvent révéler à propos du caractère unique des premiers éducateurs spécialisés, de même que ce que leurs histoires personnelles et professionnelles révèlent sur l’histoire de l’éducation spécialisée. 

1984 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 334-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence W. Marrs

The bandwagon has finally reached rural America. This article discusses important considerations for those who would board this bandwagon carrying baggage which includes preconceived ideas about using traditional special education programs to prepare special educators for rural areas. Competencies and curriculum elements which should be included in preservice programs are discussed.


1994 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 254-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elana Esterson Rock ◽  
Michael S. Rosenberg ◽  
Deborah T. Carran

This study examined educational program and teacher variables to identify factors that predict the reintegration of students with serious emotional disturbance (SED) into less restrictive placements. Data on program demographics, reintegration orientation, teacher reintegration training, and teacher attitudes toward reintegration were collected from 162 special education teachers and 31 administrators in restrictive placements for K-12 students with SED. This information was compared to the reintegration rates of students in those schools through the use of a hierarchical set regression analysis. Results indicated that reintegration orientation, demographic characteristics of restrictive SED programs, and particular experiences/training of special educators predict the reintegration of students with SED into less restrictive programs.


1970 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 261-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
William M. Cruickshank ◽  
Herbert C. Quay

The growing concern about planning and providing effective physical facilities for special education programs is presented. Particular emphasis is focused on the inadequacy of decisions made by special educators and architects regarding the nature of the physical environment in the absence of empirically obtained evidence. Supporting the need for such research, some of the difficulties encountered—the isolation of variables, management techniques, and design—are discussed.


Author(s):  
Lindsey A. Chapman ◽  
Chelsea T. Morris

Special educators dedicate their careers to caring for one of the most vulnerable and historically marginalized populations of students despite often working in environments that do little to reciprocate this care. Amidst an ever-changing education landscape, special education teachers are becoming increasingly stressed, experiencing burnout at alarming rates, and far too frequently leaving the field altogether. In this chapter, caring school leadership is examined in the context of special education. The authors seek to bridge a theoretical stance with practical application to the field. Three necessary conditions for caring are discussed and specific “transactions of care” are recommended. The chapter concludes by upholding the idea that ensuring special educators feel cared for by school leaders has the potential to mitigate issues of poor working conditions, teacher retention, and consequently, promote positive outcomes for students with disabilities.


2014 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Stephenson ◽  
Mark Carter

Although qualified special educators are more likely to provide effective teaching for students with disabilities and special education needs, it seems many teachers in special education and support positions are not qualified for this role. The study reported here provided analysis of 219 job advertisements for special education positions in order to ascertain what employers required of applicants for special education positions. Advertisements represented all states and sectors in Australia, although the sample does not fully reflect the relative numbers of schools in each state. Most positions were for class teachers or for teachers providing support within and across schools. Special education qualifications and experience in special education were not common criteria for employment. The concerns raised by this finding are addressed through suggestions for formal recognition for special educators and accreditation of teacher education programs preparing special educators.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 195-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audrey A. Trainor ◽  
Elizabeth Bettini ◽  
LaRon A. Scott

This special issue of Remedial and Special Education is a collection of theoretical and empirical research addressing equity in the preparation of a diverse special education teaching force, with a focus on racial/ethnic diversity. The purpose of this special issue is to open a conversation about equity as it pertains to special education teachers, including both students’ equitable access to special education teachers who share their racial/ethnic and/or cultural background and prospective special educators’ equitable access to the profession.


1988 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 10-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Peterson ◽  
Cleborne D. Maddux

This article explores the perceptions of teachers in rural settings concerning the teaching of hyperactive students. Regular and special educators (N=101) identified minimizing distractions, providing clear expectations and rules, and the use of time-out techniques as the most successful strategies for teaching such students. Although both regular and special education teachers believe that the skills of teaching and managing hyperactive students are important, regular teachers were critical of the emphasis given these skills during their training. The teachers rated the advice they received from peers as the most useful, while advice from school psychologists, principals, parents, and school counselors were rated as least helpful. The results suggest the potential value of peer problem-solving committees, peer consultant models, and more effective preservice and inservice preparation in the area of hyperactivity.


2002 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 10-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathryn G. Riggs ◽  
Cathryn G. Riggs

A growing number of paraeducators are employed in America's schools. Paraeducators are valuable members of the education team, especially as some districts face a growing shortage of certified special education teachers and others struggle to address issues relating to inclusive education programs. This article focuses on describing what building administrators can do to support paraeducator staff, particularly those who are employed to facilitate inclusive instruction. A brief overview of the changing roles of paraeducators is followed by a definition of “administrative support” in terms of the importance of responsibilities, relationships and respect. A list of ten specific suggestions for providing administrative support for paraeducators at the school building level is supplied.


Author(s):  
Jacqueline Lubin

Abstract Using an adaptation of Brownell and Smith's (1993) conceptual model, this study sought to examine the perception of primary and secondary special educators in St. Lucia of their roles as compared to roles of special education teachers universally. A survey, consisting of 89 Likert-scale statements and five closed ended questions, was administered to the entire population (i.e. 82) of special educators in primary and secondary schools in St. Lucia. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics including percentages, means, and t-tests. The independent sample t-test was used to determine the difference in the frequency of role engagement between the two groups of special educators. The results revealed that like special educators globally, special education teachers in St. Lucia engaged in all roles under study (i.e., Academic instruction, Non-academic instruction, Instructional Support, Responsive Behavior Management, Special Education Assessment, Classroom Assessment, Special Education Paperwork) but engaged in them at varying degrees. They regarded all but one role (i.e. Responsive Behavior Management) to be very-to-extremely important. Respondents utilized a continuum of practices from exclusionary to inclusionary but made greater use of exclusionary practices. Implications as well as recommendations to improve practice are discussed.


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