Program Director for Exceptional Children

Program Director for Exceptional Children CareerWhat is a Program Director for Exceptional Children?A PDEC runs special education programs at public or private schools. A program director is someone who has a background in special education and an understanding of relevant teaching practices and methods. This profession is critical to ensuring that students receive the care and training they need to be successful.What Does a Program Director for Exceptional Children Do?Program directors have extensive duties—they oversee the department, plan the curriculum, and stay up-to-date on the latest education research. In some programs, a PDEC may be involved with regular classroom work, including planning specific activities, tracking individual students’ progress, and developing individualized education programs for students. Here are some of the things that you can expect to do as a PDEC:Overseeing and supporting the teaching staff. Any good education program needs someone at the top who can take care of hiring new teaching staff and training those already on the teaching staff. Teachers need mentoring programs early on in their careers, and professional development programs throughout.Plan and execute the curriculum. This could involve developing a curriculum or adjusting an already-existing one. If you have the opportunity to work directly with students as a program director, you may also be involved with individual education programs (IEPs), as well as tracking students’ educational progress.Run the administrative and financial parts of the program. A well-run program needs strong administrative support and financial backing. After all, teachers can’t teach effectively and students can’t thrive if their program is poorly funded and disorganized. You might be charged with program development, scheduling, payroll, and project funding.How Do I Become a Program Director for Exceptional Children?The path to becoming a PDEC means getting a degree in education, followed by years of experience as a teacher. Since program directors also need organizational, leadership, and administrative skills, it’s important to develop those skills as well.Step Two: Get certified to teach in your stateYou’ll need to be certified to teach if you’re going to work in education anywhere in the United States. Each state varies in its requirements for getting certified, but generally speaking, most states require: (1) a bachelor’s degree; (2) completion of a student-teaching experience or program; (3) passing a test (Praxis) for general certification, and for the specific subject in which you intend to teach; (4) a background check, including criminal and professional background checks.Step Three: Earn a master’s degree in educationIf you want to be a PDEC, then a master’s degree in education can help expand your knowledge and further develop your skills. A master’s degree in education is also a great choice for those who want to get licensed as a special education teacher but already have a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field.Step Four: Gain teaching experienceSo, you’ve got your degrees and your teaching license. Do you think you’re ready to step up to becoming a PDEC? Probably not! You need years of teaching experience under your belt before you’re ready to take that next step.Step Five: Hone your leadership and administrative skillsA PDEC should typically have years of experience in special education, but the job itself requires excellent administrative skills more than it does classroom and educational skills. You’ll want to develop those skills in any way that you can, whether that be taking the lead on projects within your school department.SkillsWhat Skills Does a Program Director for Exceptional Children Need?As a PDEC, you may need to be more familiar with developing technologies than the average teacher. Here are a few of the most important skills that you’ll want to acquire or develop:Organizational skillsTeaching skillsDeep knowledge of pedagogical theoryCreative and analytical thinking skillsSocial and interpersonal skills #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-10-08