When I decided to major in elementary education, I realized I needed to add something extra to my degree. I wanted something that would expand my horizons and allow me to become a more experienced teacher. As I became heavily involved in my studies, I began to learn more about myself as a future teacher and the characteristics of my possible future students. From my previous education classes, I learned there are different learners within various schools. There are children, teenagers and young adults who simply learn differently than myself and my peers. Once I realized these significant differences, I decided to find a way to further educate myself. Now, I am currently enrolled in the Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TOSD) endorsement program at my college. This program will fully immerse me in situations involving special education children and teenagers. As a future elementary teacher, I am eager to finally begin learning about people who need my help.

Special education is important for future teachers because it allows them to expand their teaching abilities to all types and levels of learners. Personally, I did not want to restrict myself to a specific learner or group of learners within a school. I want to be able to teach and reach out to all learners, not one specific group. Teachers should be able to assist the student who is ahead, the student who is behind, the student who has ADHD, the group of English Language Learners and the group that is perfectly on level with their grade requirements (all at the same time).

An endorsement in special education places your resume on top of the pile in the school's office. A teacher who is certified to teach special education students is capable of teaching all students. In the near future, schools are going to be hunting for teachers with certifications in special education. Recently, there was an extreme increase in special education certified teachers within schools, but it is slowly depleting. Schools need teachers who are qualified to teach every student, regardless if the school is 8 percent special education or 80 percent.

Overall, expanding your teaching degree can only help you with your future teaching career. If you are comfortable with assisting a multitude of different learners, then a special education endorsement is perfect for you. It may be extra work and extra classes, but it will be worth it when you get accepted to teach in your dream school.

"We have a responsibility to ensure every individual has the opportunity to receive a high quality education, from pre-kindergarten to elementary and secondary, to special education, to technical and higher education and beyond." — Jim Jeffords