How to become a SEN teacher?

[Cupoftea80]

More specifically, how to become a teacher of the deaf? I am at a loss. I’ve been a secondary teacher for 6 years and would really like to work with deaf students. I grew up with a deaf sibling (not a full BSL user) and I have my level 2 BSL qualification. But I can’t even get an interview as a SEN teacher. I did get an interview for a teacher of the deaf position, but the job went to someone with more experience. I don’t know how to get more experience short of quitting my job and working as a TA in a special school for a few years. But I can’t afford to do that. Or go part time and volunteer in a school?

If you are a SEN teacher I’d be interested to know your career path! Thanks 😊

I've done it, was a second in a core subject then head of an option subject in a mainstream secondary and then applied for a job in secondary special as HoD for the same subject, and got it! I've no idea about the specific teacher of deaf side of things but I know almost all of my teaching colleagues had come from mainstream and the ones that hadn't were TAs that had trained up internally and got QTS.

So I'd honestly just keep applying and asking for feedback for any that are unsuccessful. Maybe consider other 'types' of SEN school to get into the sector then look for a sideways move in time?

Have a look at this website National Deaf Children's Society.
Apply for a teaching job in an SEN school for experience. Do you have BSL qualifications? This too could be a starting point and the tutor may be able to sign post you.

I’ve only just realised I actually got some replies! @PensionPuzzle interesting to hear that most of your SEN colleagues moved over from mainstream. The SEN adverts I see tend to look for English or Maths teachers, or primary and I am none of those sadly! I will keep plugging away, and I was thinking I might speak to the SENCo at my school and see if there’s a way I can get some smaller group experience with
our SEND students, other than just in a class of 30 with no TA, which is what happens at the moment.

@TortolaParadise I have my BSL level 2 which is pretty much entry level for working with deaf students really, but I’m looking at doing my level 3 and possibly cued speech… it’s just expensive and difficult to find a course nearby.

Not sure if your still looking...

I would suggest looking for a local deaf club and seeing if you can volunteer there with family events. Great way to practice and improve your BSL and gain experience of supporting deaf children.
Ideally TODs should have a minimum of level 3 from the perspective of what's right for deaf education but in reality many TODs only have the minimum level 1 requirement (no where near enough sadly).

Cued speech is very interesting but many young deaf people don't like it. However, In my view it is a better option than jolly phonics, visual phonics or cued articulation for deaf Pupils.

Good luck

Hello- ToD here! Being a ToD is considerably more than just signing qualifications. To become a qualified ToD you need to do a post grad QTOD course that includes audiology, acoustics, child development, speech and language, phonetics, education theory, deaf history and culture etc. it's usually a two year course ( part time largely distance learning with tutorials and 2 residential weeks) You need to be working in a setting with deaf children. The course also has 2 placements one in a different setting and one on your own. Most people I know did the ToD course with Birmingham University. We are in short supply so many LAs will find the training.
It's such a brilliant job! Good luck!

@KnottyKnitting
It is true that those things are part of the role too but the BSL skills are vital and in short supply in far too many TODs.

It's a disgrace that TODs only need level 1 BSL