For one of my practicum assignments, I went to go talk to a special education service provider. Mrs. H is in charge of all of the special education children for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade at my elementary school. She is constantly running in and out of classrooms. She always has a folder in one hand and a child's hand in her other hand. I've never seen Mrs. H just sit somewhere or take a break. She usually even works through her lunch, working on an Individual Education Program and having a bite to eat every other sentence. Mrs. H said she was always involved in helping with special education because her two daughters always wanted to help out growing up, whether it be in the Special Olympics or just helping out after school. Mrs. H says she works very closely with the general education teachers on curriculum and assignment related issues. Mrs. H takes out the children with mental retardation for most of the core subjects and gives them modified instruction while reading out everything to them.
Mrs. H commented that her work is the most rewarding job she could ever have and the look on her students' faces when they get material is by far the best feeling ever. She also said that at the end of the day she does feel a lot of personal guilt because even though her job is rewarding it is very difficult. She often feels that she does not do enough for her students. I asked her if it was frustrating working on the same concept over and over again. She replied that working as a special education provider required a lot of patience and a lot of love, two things she had plenty to give.