To understand the problem faced by teaching staff I research across a few different websites and here is a summary of my findings.
https://www.senploy.co.uk/blog/2023/06/13/challenges-faced-by-sen-teachers-and-teaching-assistants
Teachers and teaching assistants always show patience, resilience, and passion. But these qualities are being tested by the growing challenges in schools today. Alarmingly, 40,000 teachers left their jobs in the 2021-2022 academic year, the highest since records started in 2010-2011.
Even though there are many fulfilling aspects of working in special education, we believe in facing and dealing with these challenges so that you can be ready to tackle them with a positive mindset.
Here are some common challenges that Special Education workers must handle:
Working Together and Communication
Research shows that special education teachers often leave because they feel unappreciated. Breakdowns in communication between staff and parents make this worse. Teachers need to talk easily with parents to support SEN children, but if parents don't respond, it disrupts the teacher's ability to help the student. Effective communication is crucial, and if it's not recognized and supported, the pride in what educators do can fade away.
Paperwork and Dealing with Data
Keeping records is essential but challenging in special education. Teachers need to explain everything they do for a child with SEN, making sure it meets the student's plan and school targets. Handling class data is also important, but the paperwork can be overwhelming, taking away valuable teaching time.
Meeting Individual Needs
Special education teachers and assistants work with students with various disabilities. Each student has a tailored plan, updated regularly. Writing multiple plans, along with other tasks, can be overwhelming, leading to burnout.
Behavior Management
Students with special needs may show challenging behaviors. Managing these behaviors while maintaining a positive environment is a significant challenge, taking up a lot of time and energy.
Funding Issues
Funding varies among schools, affecting what teachers can plan for and how they support their students. Limited funds can make it tough to provide optimal support and resources.