Category: Sugarman Education News

Special educational needs (SEN) teachers play a crucial role in the lives of students who need extra learning support and guidance to help them reach their full potential.

Despite its challenges, most SEN teachers will tell you that working with students who have special needs is a remarkably rewarding career, and they’re right.

If you’re training to become an SEN school teacher, or if you’re in the early stages of considering the role, these tips will help you understand and prepare for what to expect in this unique educational environment.

1. Prepare for complexity

As with most teaching roles, being a SEN teacher comes with its own complexities. After all, you’ll be teaching students with different types of special educational needs who will automatically require more attention than the average mainstream student.

Many SEN children express themselves in ways that may cause harm to themselves or others, this can be overwhelming, particularly in the early days.

The trick to preparing for complex and potentially stressful situations is to remain calm and stay in control of any situation that may present itself. Remember that your TAs will be on hand to help and there are a number of support forums wherein you can discover effective ways to maintain a sense of safety and security in the classroom for both you and your students.

2. Start each day with a clean slate

When you’re working with students who span the vast spectrum of learning difficulties and behavioural challenges, it’s pretty much a given that you will experience some trying days in the classroom.

The important thing to remember is that no matter what happens on any given day, always treat the next day as a fresh start. Progress can take time, and it’s your job to deal with classroom incidents in the most productive way possible.

That means that if a student makes a mess or lashes out at yourself or a fellow student, it’s better to deal with the consequences there and then – ask them to clear up or apologise to apologise so they can learn from their mistake, then put the episode behind you.

3. Watch out for your wording

It’s really important for you to be mindful of the language that you use when you speak to your students and their parents. Try to avoid using words that carry negative connotations, such as “slow” or “behind”.

Instead, consider using positive framing to get your point across in a constructive way that doesn’t upset or devalue. For example, “Billy is still catching up” or “Lucy requires extra thinking time.”

4. Always have a plan B

https://www.senteacher.org/ [resources for class]

Even with the best will in the world, there will almost certainly be times when your students lose focus on the lesson at hand. During these times, it’s super important to have a backup plan.

If your students are over-stimulated or are struggling to calm down, keep a social activity like role-play in your back pocket to help regain control of the class.

5. Remember that it’s worth it

There is nothing more satisfying than helping a child to learn and develop vital life skills. Don’t let the trials and tribulations fool you into thinking that it’s all stress all the time, in actual fact it’s one of the most rewarding jobs there is.

Here at Sugarman Education, we continuously work hard to deliver positive outcomes for children with special educational needs. What’s more, many of our staff also volunteer to help support children within the schools that we work with.

Learn more about becoming a SEN teacher.

On an ordinary day in June 2019, an extraordinary man contacted the head of Children’s Services here at Sugarman Education. What started as a simple request soon became a shared endeavour to positively impact the lives of impoverished children in Kayunga, Uganda.

The call that started it all

When the call came, it was difficult to initially verify its authenticity! But the man at the other end of the line soon made his purpose known, and his message was one of compassion, selflessness, and goodwill – three traits we truly value Sugarman Education.

It turned out that this man’s name was Paul Oyo, and he was seeking ways in which he could further support children via his community health centre in Kayunga – a town in the central region of Uganda.

Giving back to the community

Founded by Mr Oyo, St Mary’s Adi Community Health Center’s health services for children help to protect the most vulnerable kids in the community. Mr Oyo has dedicated his life to providing these children with ongoing health and education support – and so he turned to Sugarman.

After explaining his mission and talking about the work he does at the health centre, we were extremely impressed and moved by his efforts and we wanted to support his mission.

United support for young people in need

We sent a member of the Sugarman team to assess the situation in Kayunga and review the most effective ways in which we could help.

To support these children in their education, we sent a large number of English, Maths, and Science textbooks to the children of Mr Oyo’s health centre. These textbooks spanned a variety of key stages to allow children of all ages to benefit.

What’s more, Sugarman has worked alongside Mr Oyo in order to build and shape a comprehensive curriculum that he can teach to the children to broaden their horizons and enhance their potential.

A shared vision of a fairer society

As part of Cordant Group – the UK’s largest social enterprise – Sugarman share the overarching mission to support local communities, positively impact the lives of others, and help create a fairer society.

Here at Sugarman Education, 21% of our recruitment professionals are former teachers themselves. That’s why we take great pride in helping others find their dream jobs within the education sector.  

We asked some of our consultants who used to be teachers to share their answers to the questions they’re most asked by aspiring teachers all over the UK.

What personality traits should a teacher have?

While there are many ideal personality traits for a teacher, these three qualities are absolute must-haves if you’re thinking of working in the education sector:

Friendliness

Having a friendly attitude towards your students can give them a better learning experience. However, it’s important not to let your friendly demeanour compromise your authority.

The ability to care

The ability to build caring relationships with your students is vital. A great teacher is able to develop a strong rapport by establishing and maintaining trust.

Passion

A great teacher should be passionate about working with children and excited by the opportunity to influence and educate the next generation.

What should I be prepared for if I become a teacher?

It’s important to be aware of the aspects of teaching that aren’t necessarily advertised in the job spec – the factors below may help you make a more informed decision about becoming a teacher:

Working after hours

The 2018 Global Teacher Status Index study found that teachers in the UK work some of the longest hours in the world. In fact, at 50.9 hours per week on average, the UK placed 4^th of the 35 countries studied – with only teachers in New Zealand, Chile and Singapore working longer hours than that.

Dealing with parents

It’s virtually impossible for an educator to avoid dealing with difficult parents at times, that’s why it’s important to be diplomatic in all decision-making processes. Keep your cool, show that you care about their child and try to find an amicable solution where possible.

Salary

According to the 2018 Global Teacher Status Index, teachers’ average hourly pay has fallen by 15% in the last decade. Be sure to do your homework on pay scales and earning potential before fully committing to a teaching role.

What skills are important for a teacher?

Qualifications and knowledge aside, there are many other skills that lend themselves to being a good teacher:

Excellent communication

If you don’t have the skills to convey your knowledge in an engaging and understandable way, then it doesn’t matter how much you actually know because no one will benefit from it. The key is to explain all assignments and expectations clearly, making sure that every student understands.  

By the same token, being a good listener is crucial. In an ideal learning environment, a teacher should actively and attentively listen to their students and use what they hear to build upon that communication.

Organisation and preparation

Not surprisingly, you’re going to need to be organised. After all, you can hardly expect your students to exhibit organisational skills if you can’t! And believe me, you will have a lot to organise and prepare. From lesson plans, to marking work, to a long list of administrative tasks, you’ll need some sort of system in place to keep from drowning in paperwork.

What do you wish you’d been told before becoming a teacher?

Be prepared to work hard!

Although teaching is arguably one of the most rewarding professions out there, it is by no means an easy ride. To the contrary, you’ll work harder than you ever have before, but the advantages of enriching the lives of young people and building a better future will help you grow both professionally and personally.   

Want to chat with one of our recruitment advisors? Get in touch today!