Pat Hensley has taught special education for 30 years within the public school system. Now, she has also taken her expertise to Furman University, where she teaches graduate courses as an adjunct instructor. In 2006, she was chosen as teacher of the year for her school, and was a top 10 finalist for her district. She is also on the national board of directors for the Council for Exceptional Children. Be sure to follow her blog, Successful Teaching.

Why did you decide to pursue a career as a teacher? 
I think I have always wanted to be a teacher ever since I was a little girl. Growing up, I loved to play school. When I got into high school, I volunteered in some programs with handicapped children and knew that this was the field that I wanted to go into.

What type of preparation did you do to get into this field?
I got my B.A. degree in special education from Furman University. I went on to get a M.A. degree in special education and later became nationally board certified as an exceptional needs specialist.

What types of classes and projects did you have to do in school?
I took education classes that all teacher candidates take, but I also took specific courses in special education. These include courses such as: nature of learning disabilities, nature of emotional disabilities and procedures in teaching students with disabilities. I also took practicum classes, which gave me exposure to the classroom and then student teaching.

How did your education help you in your career?
I learned how to apply what I learned during the time I was still taking classes. Professors with experience and knowledge were there to guide me and help me. In many of my classes, I learned effective strategies to use with students in order to help them be successful in the classroom. I learned many things that would enable me to become an effective teacher.

What was your career path like in this field? 
I taught special education in the public schools for 28 years. I have taught self-contained classes as well as resource classes on all levels from K-12. After leaving the public school system, I began to teach teachers getting their master’s degree in special education.

What types of skills is someone required to have to work in your position? 
Important skills would be flexibility, time management, organization and patience. A tremendous amount of paperwork is required due to federal guidelines, so being able to complete this paperwork is essential for this position. The most important skill would be flexibility because every day is different, and it is impossible to know what the new day will bring. A special education teacher needs to be prepared for anything and willing to adjust and modify if necessary.

What do you do on a typical workday?
When I taught in the public schools, I liked to arrive at work about an hour earlier than was required. This gave me time to prepare for classes and make sure that I had all the materials needed and organized. During my planning period, I would grade papers or plan for the next week’s lessons or units. After school, I would set up and prepare for the next day. In the evening, I would call my students’ parents in order to brag about them and the progress they had made. I would call home every two weeks to keep parents aware of what was going on in the classroom.

Do you plan to advance to another position within your career field? 
I would like to talk to teachers in schools about specific technology tools and strategies for using them that are effective in helping students become successful in the classroom. I can do this face to face, or even virtually.

What type of person do you think is best suited for a job in your field?
The type of person who pursues a career in special education needs to have a good sense of humor, willing to never give up, be able to handle loads of paperwork and deadlines, and get along with others. This teacher needs to be willing to listen to suggestions from others and be open to new ideas. This teacher cannot be rigid in procedures and needs to be willing to investigate ways that help all students use their strengths in order to learn new skills.

Do you have any advice for those who are looking to launch a career in your field?
Special education involves a tremendous amount of paperwork so time management and organization are essential to being successful in this career. Burnout is very common for special education teachers. It is important to be good in this field but it is also important to have an outside interest to relieve stress. Exercise and eating right are also vital to being able to keep up the stamina necessary for this type of job.