Education WOW!

Western Michigan University Student Talks About the Road to Becoming a Special Education Teacher

CEN staff recently spoke with Ashia Smith, an undergraduate student enrolled in the Western Michigan University Special Education Teacher Preparation Program. As a junior, Ashia is in the first year of the program. She hopes to teach at the elementary school level.

Q: What inspired you to become a teacher?

A: I love kids! No matter how awful a day I'm having, kids always make me smile. I had a great first experience teaching kids when I was in high school. I worked at basketball camps for younger girls who wanted to learn the game. The look of excitement and accomplishment on those girls’ faces inspired me to want to keep teaching. In my opinion, teaching can be one of the most rewarding careers, and I am excited to see what I can do.

Q: Why did you choose special education?

A: Growing up, I had many wonderful people in my life. One person in particular, whom I consider to be my mentor, got her degree in special education. She was my sports coach throughout middle and high school and is now one of my best friends. From the classroom to the basketball court, she has inspired me to become an educator. Working with students with special needs will allow me to follow in her footsteps and make an impact on people’s lives.

Q: Describe the program in which you are enrolled. In what area will your endorsement be?

A: I am enrolled in the area of emotional impairment and learning disabilities at the elementary level. By the time I graduate, I will have earned a minor in mathematics as well as an endorsement in that same area.

Our program is like a close-knit family. The professors are amazing, and they make themselves available whenever students have questions or just need to talk. They make our learning environment incredible!

Internships start in my senior year with “real” students. After completing all the teacher education courses, I’ll have two full semesters of hands-on learning, which includes three 10-week internships. I will have to complete an internship in an emotionally impaired classroom, a classroom with students who have learning disabilities, and also one in a general education classroom.

Q: What advice can you give to other students looking to become special education teachers?

A: The best advice that I can give to students looking to become special education teachers is to have an open mind and never lose the willingness to learn. Since I started the special education program at WMU, I have grown in many ways, and I am convinced that I will be a life-long learner.

Q: What has been the toughest part of your experience so far?

A: Although I know that experience working in the classroom is probably the most important part of our program, it has its ups and downs. I think most pre-interns or interns will agree that it’s not always easy, and being the "person in training" who puts in many hours a week without pay can be frustrating. I have had to cut back on my hours at work and the financial strain is difficult. However, in the end, I know it will all be worth it.

Q: What has been the most rewarding part of this learning process so far?

A: The toughest part, working in the classroom, is also the most rewarding. I love being in the classroom and doing what I want to do for the rest of my life, which is making a difference in the lives of students. Although my classroom experience is limited, I have gotten to know many students. I think they feel comfortable coming to me for help, which is a very satisfying feeling.

The Department of Educational Studies at Western Michigan University (WMU) offers a Special Education Teacher undergraduate program for the preparation of teachers in the areas of emotional impairment/learning disabilities (EI/LD) and cognitive impairment/learning disabilities (CI/LD), at either the elementary or secondary level of special education. For more information, visit www.wmich.edu/coe.