Special Education Teacher Interview With Chris Shikles

Nate McFail Professor Boosting Education of Exceptional Learners pre K-12 21 April 2024 Special Education Teacher Interview Chris Shikles has had quite an unorthodox entry into special education. Mr. Shikles started his journey into education by getting PE and Health certified, and subsequently teaching those classes and coaching for the next 6 years that followed. Mr. Shikles then worked his way up to become an administrator and held the role of athletic director for the next 14 years. Then, after a change of heart, he decided to get back into the classroom by getting special education certified. Mr. Shikles has been in the special education field for two years now. The main points of my interview with Mr. Shikles focused on his experience and entrance into special education, the state of the special

Working with kids was the sole reason that Mr. Shikles got into education, so getting back to those roots with kids who needed extra help fit the bill perfectly. Mr. Shikles really enjoys the special education department in Boonville because the special education students are involved heavily in the “normal” classroom environment, and the teachers also do a great job of supporting them there. I have several classes with a larger portion of special education students, and I have a para in there to support me. Other special education teachers reach out often, including Mr. Shikles, to check in and support me in any way needed. One change that he did express some concern about would be to get the students more ready for life after school. Some special education students do head to college, but a majority of the time they go straight into the work force after high school, and Mr. Shikles wants to make sure that they are all prepared for that. One topic that we touched on was the dwindling numbers of teachers and