Teachers of special needs students who are moms.

Kathleen - posted on 10/30/2012

I also work with students with intensive special needs. It makes me so thankful that I have a healthy, beautiful daughter. It also makes me "take my hat off" to the parents of children with special needs! I've worked with some unbelievable parents who dedicate every waking moment to those kids! I wanna give a few a vacation just for a little break! My brother-in-law was born with Cerebral Palsy, and my mother-in-law is a saint! She dedicated her life to him and his needs.

Lara - posted on 10/05/2012

I teach middle school life skills students. I have 18 students some with ID, ADHD, ASD and visual problems. I have a 1/2 time aide and sometimes feel I won't make it through the day. I come home to my seven and nine year old. The oldest has APD so needs my constant guidance and support for homework. It makes for some incredible long days but nothing a big glass of wine can't wash away. These days I'm thankfully for my job, the health of my kids, and a loving husband.

Sarah - posted on 12/02/2010

I'm a special education teacher and a mother of a child with significant disabilities. So I get it comin' and going! lol .... I pray a lot... and spend time in the tub.... lol

Tania - posted on 11/30/2010

I teach self-contained history to 9th and 10th grade students with exceptionalities. I also co-teach a section of Algebra I. I have been teaching for 10 years. I have two children, 4 and 20 months. It is stressful to teach in an urban setting and then go home to be a sane, and loving mother for my two little ones, but when I hit the door and they come running to me, it is so easy to forget my day and enjoy them. It is a challenge to come to terms with the fact that I cannot do everything. Prioritizing is a necessity. Some things just have to wait until tomorrow.

Amy - posted on 11/30/2010

I teacher moderately cognitive impaired students(K-2) and there are days when I am mentally and physically exhausted from dealing with them. But when I see my daughter after working all day it reminds me of how blessed I am to have a child who is developing as she should--with no special needs. I am indeed blessed!

Staci - posted on 11/27/2010

You can do it! It sounds like a nice balance schedule wise, and 9 months is a good age :) So much fun!

Claire - posted on 11/26/2010

Oh! To live in the moment. I'm going back to teach 2 days next year. I'll have 2 other teachers' classes of children with ASD and ID, one day each. I hope we can establish a good routine. My son will be 9+months and in childcare 3 full days. I'll also work one day/evening with adults with disabilities. I hope I'll be able to balance it all.

Staci - posted on 11/23/2010

especially when the kids you work with are on the same emotional and/or ability level as your kiddos at home! OMG totally been there.

Michelle - posted on 11/17/2010

@April I feel the same way in my center-based Life Skill classroom that sometimes dealing with the staff in addition to my 10 students can take a toll on the "carousel ride" you referred to! I understand your days as I arrive home to a very curious 5 year old son and often I am honest to say that I look forward to our school breaks and holidays!

Julie - posted on 10/10/2010

wow. You are indeed made of sterner stuff than most of us. BUT you are human and it is importan that you find what my husband calls "co co time" that is 20 minutes that is only mine it may not sound like a lot but it is everything. A child free bath! heck a child free bowel movment! sometimes that 20 minutes is spent laying across the bed eating a reeses peanut butter cup without any eyes looking at me as if saying "give me pinch". FIND your 'co co' time!

Jessica - posted on 10/09/2010

I work with ASD children in K-5 in a semi-contained classroom... I have been with them for 5yrs :-) .... I have 2girls (5yr & 7yr). I also have a 3yr old son with DD and SP&L Delays who is being closely monitored for Autism. I used to come home for exhausting (but highly rewarding!) days and think of home as an escape from the day. With the addition of my wonderful son, work has become a fabulous resource and a great place to be. I can see so much growth in my students, and it gives great hope to our family at home!

Lauren - posted on 02/16/2009

I work in an elementary school running the learning lab (modified self-contained classroom) with students from K-fifth grade with a variety of disabilities. Most days work can be very stressful and wish my commute is longer so I can destress before picking up my kids from daycare but my kids smiles and personalities make evewrything better, ussually.

Stephanie - posted on 02/15/2009

I am just finishing up my masters degree in special education. I have worked in the field with both MI and DD children and adults for just over 20 years and do not know what I would do if I had to change careers. I have 2 toddler aged children and want them to understand that cildren with special needs are just like them, but they may learn things in a different way.

Amanda - posted on 02/14/2009

I teach students with mild MR at 3 different elementary schools. - I run all day and when I get home I just want to sit. I HATE HOMEWORK! After working with struggling students all day the last thing I want to do is come home to work on homework with my own kids. And then I feel guilty.

April - posted on 02/14/2009

I teach a life skills program at a middle school. I have 7 students and 5 assistants in the classroom! It is very crazy and not only I am dealing with behaviors (restraints, escorts to time out, scratching, biting, hitting, etc) but I also have to mange the 5 assistants as well! Some days it's harder to deal with them than the students! I also have a 7 year old and a 4 year old at home who need me once we get home. I feel like I'm on a carousel sometimes, just going 'round and 'round and 'round again! Sigh.....

Christa - posted on 02/13/2009

I couldn't agree more that it make me really appreciate my own kids when I get home!

Marj - posted on 02/13/2009

ditto!!!!

Marj - posted on 02/13/2009

I am also a special needs teacher, only my second year. My own children are technally adults 19 and 22. One in college and one finding herself. Geee I am still trying to find myself.

Kim - posted on 02/13/2009

I have been teaching sp. ed for 16 years. It is very difficult sometimes as a parent because you feel you never get a break. Thank goodness for 2 parapros that help get me through the day!

User - posted on 02/13/2009

I teach deaf students with special needs, come home to a teenager and two foster children (toddler age).  you really have to live in the moment!

Cheryl - posted on 02/12/2009

Hello, I am currently on maternity leave and have been hearing about my class.  They are middle schoolers with emotional/cognitive impairments.  I guess they are really acting up for the substitute. 

Paula - posted on 02/12/2009

Hey there everybody, I am new to this site, however I am really excited to now know it exists. I am a single mother of a 9 year old boy and a 12 year old girl. I teach children with Special Needs from prep to year 3. I find it very difficult to teach such high needs children everyday and come home to my own children and their arguments etc. I feel guilty because I do not spend the time with them that I should when it comes to homework etc. However despite the pressures from work, I abslutely love what I do, I love my own children and we get by the best that we can. I am also trying to get my son seen by a specialist as he displays such strong traits of ASD. However, it seems I know nothing about the disorder despite working with children diagnosed with these disorders for the last 7 years. While I know how ot handle him, it is the looks and comments I get from others that I come across (both know and unknown who judge him) that really get to me. Hope to be able to chat to some of you soon,

Paula

Andrea - posted on 02/11/2009

Patience is at a minimum at home sometimes, that's for sure. My own kids have learned to leave me alone for a bit when we first arrive home. We all kind of "go to our separate corners" of the house and hang out to destress for a bit. Luckily they are older now and will do this. With hubby would learn to do the same...ha ha. Our biggest challenge this year has been me dealing with special needs all day at work, then coming home to deal with health and hearing impairments that have developed in our older child.

Amy - posted on 02/10/2009

I guess it's one reason the burnout rate is so high among special ed. teachers. I teach self-contained reading at a middle school, 2 groups of LD and one with autistic and mentally impaired students. Then I have a mixed reg. ed/sp. ed. study hall to end my day. It makes it hard to have patience for my busy 4 year old after a long day. Today two boys almost got into a fight within the first hour of the day.

Dorothy - posted on 02/10/2009

I am also a special ed teacher...Life skills support students ages 19-21 in an apartment setting...and sometimes...I would just love to come home and crawl under the blankets and hide from the rest of the evening...instead of dealing with my daughter, her homework, cooking, cleaning...etc......

Amelia - posted on 02/10/2009

I two am A special ed teacher but I must say its hard work, but I enjoy my job its to bad other don't appriate us or think that we are high class aides.

Amelia - posted on 02/10/2009

This is a fact I have been their many of times and still doing it but I must say I love my job.

Talandra - posted on 02/10/2009

I teach students with mild disabilities (emotional, learning, autism, mild mental) in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade.  I know how you feel.  It's hard to come home to my own children's homework and school demands and adjust my attitude towards all that.  All in all, though, I love my own boys and my job!

Meisha - posted on 02/09/2009

i have taught sl and have been a co teach with severe behavior students. at the end of the day- especially after police reports have been filed, mommy is tired, and with a three year old some days are more difficult than others to really show him that i love him as much as i really do.

Sheri - posted on 02/07/2009

I am an EA in a SELF class at a High School and have to hear students with severe autism scream and talk non stop. Then I go home to my 14 year old son with a "mood disorder" tell me every minute detail of his day. I understand where you are coming from. However I would not change anything about my life for I love what I do. The rewards are great.

Jo - posted on 02/06/2009

I understand. I am pregnant with my 4th and will have all spring and summer before I go back to work. Each time it gets tougher to go back to work. But I do love my job even though it is testing at times.

Jennifer - posted on 02/06/2009

Dear Jo,
I will be going back to work next September right now I just go for 2 days a week. It will be tough when I go back and put him in a day care.

Cyndie - posted on 02/04/2009

I hear ya...there are days (like today) when I have to remind myself that my kids are acting just fine...it's me that is not.  I was exhausted today and seemed to have little patience for my sweet little one...

Cathy - posted on 02/04/2009

Know the feeling I work with SEBD kids (Significant, emotional and behavioural disorders) and it really makes you appreciate your own kids when you get home!