Special Education Teachers Essential to Schools

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Without special education, many schoolchildren would lack the types of support they need to seek an education at all.

“They’re the most important people in the building,” said Tom Colabufo, superintendent of schools for Central Square Central School District. “My youngest is 9 and is on the autism spectrum. He’s done such an amazing job over the past five to six years, mostly because of the special ed teachers he’s had. A good special ed teacher is worth their weight in gold.”

Special ed teachers help children with physical, emotional, developmental and intellectual challenges. They develop an individualized education programs (IEP) for each student; plan activities according to each child’s abilities; implement IEPs and track their progress; and update parents, teachers, counselors and administrators with the students’ progress.

“The special ed teacher is like the quarterback of the team,” Colabufo said. “They know the IEP inside and out. The other teachers take direction from the special ed teacher. They can help them know how to be more successful with each child. The special ed teacher looks at all the children with an IEP and helps teachers modify the lesson so those students have the tools to be successful.”

He added that they also help the students transition from school year to school year so any new teachers have a good snapshot of what works for those students and what progress they’ve made.

“As kids get older, they need fewer and fewer services, which is our goal for all students,” Colabufo