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I have known and worked for Marie for almost three years now, working with her special needs son and the rest of her children. I was granted permission to clarify some comments which would be vague to an outsider but were said knowing I knew what or who she was speaking about. All answers are written from Marie's point of view or a direct quote from her.

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How long have you been teaching special needs children?

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How long have you been teaching special needs children?

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Since 2013, so about nine years.

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What made you choose the teaching profession and, in particular, teaching special needs children?

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What made you choose the teaching profession and, in particular, teaching special needs children?

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My dad was a teacher which originally drew me to the profession. When my son, Kedrick, was diagnosed with RTS I focused on special education to help me understand how to better help him, and have been teaching special education ever since.

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How have your ideas towards teaching changed with each passing year of experience? Can you recall your ideas about teaching when you were a teacher education student like me? What were they? What are they now?

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How have your ideas towards teaching changed with each passing year of experience? Can you recall your ideas about teaching when you were a teacher education student like me? What were they? What are they now?

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"When I was a student like you, all of my student teaching was in elementary. So when I finished my bachelor's degree I was thinking, 'Gosh, is this really what I want to do?' because I really disliked the elementary setting." I ended up taking the Praxis to teach middle school math and that's all that I taught until I switched to special education. I can remember thinking that elementary teachers have so much control over that child's entire day, which I suppose is similar to my self-contained classroom now, but the pressure was very intimidating. Now, I realize that the affect I can have on students is actually very positive and a great reward of my job.

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How does teaching children with special needs differ from teaching other children? What are some challenges you face in teaching special needs children? What are some rewards?

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How does teaching children with special needs differ from teaching other children? What are some challenges you face in teaching special needs children? What are some rewards?

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"The big, big, BIG one is paperwork. With SPED there is so much more paperwork which can bog you down a bit when you are also trying to plan and teach lessons, collaborate with your team, etc. " Additionally, for every lesson I teach I have to consider each one of my students and their abilities and adapt as needed, whereas in general education the lessons are much more unified for the entire class. As far as rewards, I get to impact and empower not only students but their families as well. Especially now teaching high school, I get to help my students be set up for their adult life, which is very rewarding.

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What advice can you give me for teaching children with special needs in the regular education classroom?

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What advice can you give me for teaching children with special needs in the regular education classroom?

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Know the accommodations that student needs, know what role you play in that child's learning, be willing to adapt your lessons and work, and never be afraid to ask questions and talk about concerns. Open communication!

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What changes, if any, would you make to the educational system with regard to special needs children? This could include anything from inclusion, funding, state assessments, etc... 

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What changes, if any, would you make to the educational system with regard to special needs children? This could include anything from inclusion, funding, state assessments, etc... 

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"I would say the biggest thing I would change would be inclusion, definitely. I think it should be mandatory that K-2 is all inclusive, no matter the needs. Whatever is being provided in special education classrooms at that age can be provided in general education classrooms. Also, being mindful of what parts we are pulling students out of their day. We don't need to be pulling students out of their lunchtime, their recess, etc., and we don't need to be piecemealing their day together, which often happens."

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If you could choose another career field, would you? Please explain your answer. 

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If you could choose another career field, would you? Please explain your answer. 

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If I could go back to when I was in college and picking a major, there are honestly some times maybe I would choose a different path because for how many years I've spent in college, I could be in a field making much more compensation. However, that's why people chose to move up in their job and why I'm currently finishing my master's degree in administration.

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Are there any comments you wish to add to close this interview?

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Are there any comments you wish to add to close this interview?

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Manage your time, it's okay to say no, and there will always be negative people around trying to bring you down, don't bother with them.