Anonymous
Post 11/08/2025 16:07     Subject: Kindergarten sped teacher returning advice
Why would people quit in this economy?

I wonder at my age if I can stay in this role for a few years, and then go to work in Canada?

Would another country take a woman nearing the age of 60? I am highly credentialed with more than one graduate degree.

Thank you.
Anonymous
Post 11/08/2025 15:52     Subject: Kindergarten sped teacher returning advice
Anonymous wrote:If I only actually get kindergarten, this will be my dream job.

I'm prepared for almost anything.

I thought it was very sad there are openings for SPED teachers so close to the holidays.

Why is there a shortage? Retirements?


Omg. Yes, and people quitting. Or there never were enough at the start of the year and the school is still trying to attract people.
Anonymous
Post 11/08/2025 15:46     Subject: Kindergarten sped teacher returning advice
If I only actually get kindergarten, this will be my dream job.

I'm prepared for almost anything.

I thought it was very sad there are openings for SPED teachers so close to the holidays.

Why is there a shortage? Retirements?
Anonymous
Post 11/08/2025 15:38     Subject: Kindergarten sped teacher returning advice
Anonymous wrote:Are you returning to be a special Ed teacher that only has kindergarten students? That would be really unusual.

I’m laughing at all the people that think learning apps will be so hard. But as someone whose kid has had an IEP for 13 years, that IEP SW sucks (at least in my state)!!! It is glitchy and makes you repeat crap, etc. But it isn’t rocket science.

The harder part will be managing behavior — whether mainstream or special Ed. Kids are definitely struggling these days.


It's not that the apps are so hard, it's that there's so many of them.

But yes the hard part is behavior, and the expectations of the school system that teachers will manage (or try to manage) behavior in a particular way, and how restricted teachers are in what they're allowed to do.
Anonymous
Post 11/08/2025 15:29     Subject: Kindergarten sped teacher returning advice
Are you returning to be a special Ed teacher that only has kindergarten students? That would be really unusual.

I’m laughing at all the people that think learning apps will be so hard. But as someone whose kid has had an IEP for 13 years, that IEP SW sucks (at least in my state)!!! It is glitchy and makes you repeat crap, etc. But it isn’t rocket science.

The harder part will be managing behavior — whether mainstream or special Ed. Kids are definitely struggling these days.
Anonymous
Post 11/08/2025 15:20     Subject: Kindergarten sped teacher returning advice
Anonymous wrote:As for technology and apps, like I wrote, I have been in the workforce consistently using technology in the field of technology.

Why do you think automatically a mid-50s woman will struggle with technology apps? For my onboarding, I have already used the technology apps for my paperwork without any problems.



I'm just recommending that you familiarize yourself with the specific apps your school uses. Maybe even get your accounts set up on advance. One less thing to worry about on your first day.
Anonymous
Post 11/08/2025 15:09     Subject: Kindergarten sped teacher returning advice
As for technology and apps, like I wrote, I have been in the workforce consistently using technology in the field of technology.

Why do you think automatically a mid-50s woman will struggle with technology apps? For my onboarding, I have already used the technology apps for my paperwork without any problems.

Anonymous
Post 11/08/2025 15:02     Subject: Kindergarten sped teacher returning advice
Read up on Autism. Ideas about autism have changed a lot since you were teaching. Same with sensory issues.

Be very aware of food allergy rules.
Anonymous
Post 11/08/2025 15:01     Subject: Kindergarten sped teacher returning advice
Anonymous wrote:I taught middle school before. I taught K through 8 resource.

I'm looking forward to no longer being tied to a computer. I am getting a laptop, though.

We had online communication and email when I first taught. We also had distractions from media like video games.

I've been in the workforce. However I can't afford health insurance on my own. I thought, why not go back to teaching where I am working with people instead of AI.


Ok but school technology is a whole different world now. Ask specifically what apps they use and practice with them so that you're not struggling with it in your first few weeks. Even in K SPED there will be a bunch of apps, not necessarily for the kids to use but for the teachers and parents.
Anonymous
Post 11/08/2025 14:44     Subject: Kindergarten sped teacher returning advice
I taught middle school before. I taught K through 8 resource.

I'm looking forward to no longer being tied to a computer. I am getting a laptop, though.

We had online communication and email when I first taught. We also had distractions from media like video games.

I've been in the workforce. However I can't afford health insurance on my own. I thought, why not go back to teaching where I am working with people instead of AI.
Anonymous
Post 11/08/2025 14:18     Subject: Re:Kindergarten sped teacher returning advice
Things are much different now, as another PP said. Ask if you can get a mentor to help you navigate all the special education paperwork. Also make sure you are only going to be placed in in K. Some administrators try to spread one SPED teacher across multiple grade levels.
Anonymous
Post 11/08/2025 12:56     Subject: Kindergarten sped teacher returning advice
Please do NOT fall into the trap of using YouTube videos to read stories to your students. Read real books to them, stop and ask questions, ask them to make predictions. It’s easy to put on a 5 minute video and think it’s the same experience for them, but it’s not.
Anonymous
Post 11/08/2025 12:49     Subject: Kindergarten sped teacher returning advice
Learn the technology-- ask what apps they use, and practice with them. For example a parent communication app, an attendance tracker, that kind of thing.

If you're not familiar with IDEA... Read up.
Anonymous
Post 11/08/2025 12:24     Subject: Kindergarten sped teacher returning advice
Teaching is VERY different now. Attention spans are shorter due to screens and kids are less compliant due to a different parenting dynamic. SPED will be especially difficult. Bless you for coming back and committing to this! You are very much needed.

-focus on developing routines and being *very* consistent with them.
-use songs to help with transitions
-it’s going to be exhausting at first, but keep up the hard work and you’ll get used to it again
Anonymous
Post 11/08/2025 12:20     Subject: Kindergarten sped teacher returning advice
I would welcome any advice from parents or teachers or administrators or paras on returning to the kindergarten class.

I'm mid-50s, woman. I taught a few years in my 20s.

I'm really looking forward to it.

Thank you.