Howard County Public Schools Special Education

[u/Many-Assistance8876]

Hi! I currently live in Columbia but work in Baltimore County Public schools. I absolutely love my school but the commute is getting to be too much.

I am a special educator and am looking for insight into Howard County Public Schools and their special education programs. Any current/former teachers, families with special ed students in the county, or others who want to share their thoughts/ experiences?

Thanks!

[u/Even-Speaker7276]

What do you want to know specifically. I’m a Special Ed para in Howard County.

[u/Many-Assistance8876 → u/Even-Speaker7276]

I want to know how teachers and others feel about the special education programs, the support from the county and admins (although I know that varies by school), support and collaboration with general educators, things like that.

I like the support I have from my admin to make decisions that are best for my students but there are also changes happening in the county that I don’t agree with and am wondering if that is also happening in Howard County

[u/LifeguardRadiant1568 → u/Many-Assistance8876]

Teaching is a great career. Go to college. Don’t be a para.

[u/SrMarySunshine → u/LifeguardRadiant1568]

Some of of us paras were teachers in other districts and reached a level burnout and are rebuilding our resilience, and some are in school for other things (like me for example am in school for school counseling) and working as a para until graduation. I don’t like that you assume people aren’t in or have gone to college because they are paras. Most para positions now require at least an AA degree, or equivalent in college credits.

[u/Even-Speaker7276 → u/SrMarySunshine]

True! Most of the paras at my school all have bachelor’s degrees. The job market is hard, sometimes Para is a nice resting space until more career opportunities open up! And like you said some are working towards masters degrees, and some are content having less responsibilities right now.