What does it take to be an Amazing SEN Teacher?

Blog by Alice – Prospero SEN Consultant and SEN Teacher.

Teaching is never easy and being a Special Needs Teacher can be challenging to say the least. So what does it take to be an amazing SEN Teacher? It goes without saying that QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) is essential, and Masters Level study in Special Educational Needs is desirable to be an SEN Teacher, as well as training and experience in strategies such as TeamTeach, PECs (Picture Exchange Communications System) and Makaton. But equally as important is personality. So, what traits make our SEN Teachers amazing and why?

Patience

Patience is key. There is many a test of the patience when working with students with complex needs – refusal, confrontation, aggression, repetition. The list goes on. But hand in hand with that is the incredible reward when you see progress. After weeks of activities around how to read and write the initial sound /s/ the moment that student, completely unprompted, makes a sound like a snake…it’s all worth it.

Enthusiasm

I believe that this trait is crucial in all teachers. How can we excite and engage learners if we ourselves exhibit the enthusiasm of a damp sponge?? It is our job as teachers to inspire the children in our care so at 08.50 we start the show! No matter how exhausted we feel.

Creativity

SEN Schools exist to provide the specialist support for pupils that a mainstream school is unable to – facilities, resources, therapy and access to the curriculum. One of my favourite things about teaching children with Special Needs is that you get more freedom with what you teach and how you teach it. It really is all about the individual child and finding a way to inspire them, enabling them to understand the concept. Multi-sensory activities are fantastic – giant story sacks, singing & dancing, cooking & eating and of course anything that involves a bit of mess…

Understanding

Don’t take it personally. On the days you are scratched, nipped or sworn at remember why it’s happening. Think about what that child is going through and what is making them so upset. Having to play with a blue train instead of a red one may seem insignificant to many of us, but to a child with Autism it can feel like the end of the world. Doing your research on each child is crucial – this can be extremely tricky for supply teachers which is why it is imperative to ask for IEPs (Individual Education Plan) the moment you arrive. The more you can understand, the smoother each day will run.

Adaptability

Days very rarely go according to plan in SEN Schools so being flexible is a must! When you’re about to start an art lesson and suddenly your entire paint supply is on the floor, you’ve got to think fast. Evacuate the class for an impromptu PE (Physical Education) lesson? Create a huge painting on the floor instead?

Sense of Humour

Be under no illusion, teaching children with Special Needs is not easy and you will not last 2 minutes without a sense of humour. If you don’t laugh, you will cry!

All of these qualities are essential, in my opinion, to any type of teaching, but you need an extra measure of each of them to succeed in a Special Needs environment. Teaching in SEN Schools is the most challenging job I have done, but it is by a long way the most rewarding.

Looking for an SEN teaching role? Search for Special Needs Teaching Jobs at Prospero Teaching.