'It's one of the most rewarding careers': Oklahoma in need of special education teachers

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — As Oklahoma continues to work to rebound in the midst of a teacher shortage, it’s also working to recruit special education teachers the state is lacking.

“Our school superintendents highlight the fact that the special education teacher is hard to find. It's tough work but it's essential for students and to give them the civil rights support they deserve and need," Joy Hofmeister, the Oklahoma state superintendent of public education said.

According to a 2018 Oklahoma Educator Supply and Demand report, 30,000 teachers have left their jobs in the last six years.

On top of that statistic, Hofmeister said there are more special education students in Oklahoma than the national average, which is around 14%.

“In Oklahoma is it 16.5% of our students that require special education supports. It’s hard work,” Hofmeister said.

She said that, in the 2018-2019 school year, 115,290 of 698,586 students were special education students.

“We are going to work to recruit those (teachers) who could become certified in special education and fill that need but it is going to be a daunting task in a midst of a shortage,” Hofmeister said.

Sherrilynn Admire has been a special education teacher for 42 years. She told FOX 25 that over the past 10 years, she’s seen a huge turnover of teachers in the special education field.

“Some of the problems coming into special education as far as children are a little bit more involved and require a lot more of in-depth training, particularly with behaviors and trauma that the kids are facing at this point,” Admire said.

She said those studying to become special education teachers are now required to take more classes, in areas such as behavior management, classroom management or an autistic program.

Admire said some teachers may resist the amount of paperwork that comes with the job.

“It’s not just about the paperwork and about meeting standards. It’s about really building relationships with kids and getting to know them, kind of like our little group in here. Understanding their stories, and then I know what’s going on with them and then I can create a program for them,” Admire said.

She said the biggest change she’s noticed over the years is what’s going on in children’s lives, from trauma at home and in society, that ultimately affects them in the classroom.

“You watch that child go from very, very, very angry to turned off to school to building trust to a point that you can now reach them. They’re baby steps but you can reach them and he (the student) likes to do work. He knows it’s safe in here,” said Admire. “That’s what keeps me going. That’s what energizes me. It’s just kind of a challenge that goes, but it’s such a beautiful thing to watch. I come back year after year doing it.”

Hofmesiter said about half of Oklahoma schoolchildren have experienced some type of abuse, neglect or other hallmarks of a rough childhood which created a spike in numbers seen in Oklahoma compared to the national average.

“But in an area of high need for the children that we are serving, it’s critical to have continuity and our children deserve to have a teacher that is well trained, well equipped and has extensive training in providing unique needs based on a particular disability and understanding -- that and how to make those connections and help children with life skills or reading/learning disabilities,” said Hofmeister. “This is a very important investment that we make in the children of Oklahoma and we’re going to keep that a top priority.”

“These children didn’t ask for anything to happen in their lives that have happened, but you might be their only person in their life that they say, ‘You made a difference. You saved (my life).’ I’ve had that said (to me), ‘You saved my life.’ That’s impactful,” Admire said.

Hofmeister said special education teachers are paid 5% more than general education teachers, in hopes of recruiting more to fill the growing need.

“In my district, we’ve begun a micro credentialing program for our special ed teachers. Now, they go to 5% to 7% to 10% over our salary. I think that’s a great idea and a great first step in the right direction,” Admire said.

Admire said that despite the challenges, extra training and paperwork, her students are worth it.

“I think it’s one of the most rewarding careers. Here you are preparing these kids for their futures, whatever that may look like. But we’re at the groundwork at that. Even kids who are in special ed who have been identified with special needs, they can be somebody, something, somewhere, somehow, someday. That’s what we want to keep in mind,” Admire said.

To learn more about the special education program in Oklahoma, click here.