Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is an education term that refers to supporting students who need extra help with their learning or have disabilities that affect their ability to learn. This could include students with learning difficulties, physical disabilities, behavioral challenges, or communication problems. Education professionals who work in SEND help create and deliver customized learning plans to ensure these students can access education effectively. The field requires understanding different learning styles, patience, and the ability to adapt teaching methods to meet individual student needs.
Examples in Resumes
Developed and implemented Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
Coordinated a team of teaching assistants supporting SEND students in mainstream classrooms
Successfully integrated Special Needs students into regular classroom activities
Led SEN department initiatives to improve learning outcomes for students with diverse needs
Typical job title: "Special Educational Needs Teachers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Special Educational Needs Teachers
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Online Communities
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you develop and implement a school-wide SEND strategy?
Expected Answer: Should discuss experience in creating inclusive policies, managing SEND budgets, coordinating with multiple departments, training staff, and ensuring compliance with education laws while maintaining focus on student outcomes.
Q: How do you evaluate the effectiveness of SEND interventions across multiple classrooms?
Expected Answer: Should explain methods for collecting and analyzing student progress data, getting feedback from teachers and parents, and adjusting support strategies based on results.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you create and maintain effective Individual Education Plans (IEPs)?
Expected Answer: Should describe process of assessing student needs, setting achievable goals, collaborating with parents and other teachers, and regularly reviewing progress.
Q: How do you handle challenging behaviors while maintaining an inclusive classroom environment?
Expected Answer: Should discuss positive behavior management strategies, de-escalation techniques, and methods for promoting understanding among all students.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What strategies would you use to support a student with dyslexia in your classroom?
Expected Answer: Should mention basic accommodations like extra time for reading, using different colored papers or overlays, and breaking tasks into smaller steps.
Q: How would you communicate with parents about their child's progress?
Expected Answer: Should discuss regular updates, positive communication strategies, and sensitivity when discussing challenges and achievements.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of common learning difficulties
- Ability to follow IEPs
- Classroom management basics
- Working with teaching assistants
Mid (2-5 years)
- Creating and implementing IEPs
- Adapting teaching materials
- Behavior management strategies
- Parent and professional collaboration
Senior (5+ years)
- Department leadership
- Staff training and development
- Policy creation and implementation
- Budget management for SEND resources
Red Flags to Watch For
- Limited understanding of different types of learning needs
- Poor communication skills
- Lack of patience or flexibility
- No experience with Individual Education Plans
- Inability to work as part of a team
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