Program Chairs Spotlight Session: An Unexpected Journey, The Story of Teaching in Classrooms Across the Career Span

The journey of a special educator is unique throughout their career. This narrative follows the dynamic career path of an African American educator whose professional journey exemplifies the diverse opportunities available in education and human services. Beginning as a public health attendant, this educator's career demonstrates how foundational experiences in community health can illuminate broader callings in education, particularly in serving students with exceptional needs.Participants will be able to: 1. Identify multiple career pathways within special education and related fields, understanding how skills transfer across roles from direct service to teaching, administration, and higher education. 2. Recognize the interconnectedness of various educational and human services roles, and how experiences in each setting build upon one another to create a comprehensive professional perspective. 3. Understand the evolving nature of special education careers, including the different competencies, responsibilities, and impacts associated with teaching, administrative, and faculty positions.