After searching for Special Education jobs abroad, I decided to focus on positions that

would allow me to see if I am interested in administration before committing to another

advanced degree. I found a job posting for an Instructional Support Staff/Special Education

Teaching Specialist in the Wichita Public Schools.

As a Special Education Teaching Specialist(SETS), I would be expected to collaborate and

communicate with many people. My primary focus would be the special educators in the

Wichita Public Schools. I would also collaborate with general education curriculum specialists

and instructional coaches to support inclusion, specialized instruction and intensive practices.

My job would include working with vendors and customers. The population in the Wichita

schools is diverse, and I would need to be professional and maintain a positive attitude.

My responsibilities would include planning, developing, facilitating, and overseeing the

professional development of the special education staff. I would support the professional

special education staff in their IEP processes, but not act as the administrative staff for IEP

purposes. Another responsibility as a SETS would be to seek out knowledge on interventions,

new research, and best practices so that I can model and coach those working with the

exceptional children in the district. I see the position as being more of a teach the teachers

type of job where I would be required to field questions and problem solve with them.

If I were to apply for this position, I anticipate being asked about my strengths and

weaknesses in the areas of communication and collaboration. I would speak about my

experience leading IEP meetings, training support staff, and being part of a Special Education

team in my building. As for my communication skills, I would share how I used email, phone

calls, letters and meetings to keep parents and staff informed in my current job.