Should I major in special education or occupational therapy?

Salvatore Walls: Definitely go for OT. First there is a very high demand for OT's. Secondly, you have much more freedom and are not bound to teaching according to Common Core or other artificial standards. Also, you will not have to deal with the vagaries of principals, upon whose mood teachers must depend. If you have a bad principal your life will be a living hell. OT's usually work with small groups, team with teachers and generally have more variety and less work at home.As a special ed teacher, you will be required to give standardized tests to children who have no hope of passing them. It is truly heart breaking especially for teachers who have students with specific learning disability that are fairly high functioning. If you do go the special ed teaching route, bear in mind that you will have to take all the course work that regular teacher's do so you can be "highly qualified."The best options for special ed teachers are Life Skills classes in which you are not r! equired to give those tests or as a resource teacher. The kids you test will be in regular ed for the most part, so some do have a chance in passing them with your help....Show more

Peter Lapoint: I'm a special education teacher and I love it. I guess you need to decide whether you want to be more part of the academic side or the therapeutic side.I will tell you that special education teachers are in HIGH demand. Many states are paying them above what they'd pay a general ed teacher of the same education and experience. I'm even hearing of states that are paying for schooling for special ed teachers. If you were to get your degree, you'd be able to get a job like that. My district is still short 2 or 3 special ed teachers for this coming year. They're even to the point where the state has started a Boot Camp program to push special education teachers through the program more quickly (yes, it's more intense) in order to get more teachers....Show more