I've been thinking a lot lately about becoming a teacher. I thought about it on and off before my SCI, and recently someone commented that I might have the personality to make a good one. It seems like something I could do, but it also seems like there might be some difficulties that I just haven't thought of...Is it a good career for someone with a T11 complete injury?

Hi i used to be a teacher,i could'nt possibly teach now due to the embarrasment in the classroom,i am L1 incomplete but i have bladder/bowel problems and i pass a lot of involuntary wind which in no way i can control due to a paralysed backside.
I don't know anyone on this site who's mentioned it being a problem? if i go anywhere where you need to be quiet-church/library etc it is extremely embarassing,
once i had a fish and chip meal in a restaurant,3 elderly people came in and sat down on the table adjacent to me and commented on how nice the fish looked,i replied it tastes as good as it looks also.
When their order came i was due to leave,i remarked 'bon appetit' got up and let one off in their faces,the look of shock and horror was indescribable! i laughed nervously quickly paid then left the establishment-how could i explain my condition???

I am an adjunct university professor. Absolutely no problems as a t-10 complete. I also teach some of my classes online which is really nice as I can work out of my home office and don't have to dress-up. Good luck to you if you decide to pursue a career in education. I find it both stimulating and rewarding.

Yep, no reason why you cannot teach, before i moved up to norfolk i was doing the training to teach in schools. I teach guitar but from home, but there is no reason on this planet why you cannot teach.

Have some fun and go for it, and enjoy. sure will be hard but, u know, life int easy is it lol.


go get what you want in life

Lliam

I am T4 incomplete, I walk with a cane and look goofy doing it I would imagine, I teach sixth grade and once I let the kids know what is up and how I gothurt they hardly even care anymore, you can do whatever you want....just a matter of how you handle it.....

Thanks for the response, it definitely sounds like something that I could do.

Good luck with it!!
I've just completed my City & Guilds course 7300 so that I can teach first aid to Saint John Ambulance members. The assessor didn't care in the slightest that I was in a chair, all he cared was that I could do the job.

teaching is no problem. i am a c6 incomplete quad. been hurt 4 years this week. i've been back teaching for three and a half of those years. i've taught third grade, pre-k, and am now teaching second grade. absolutely no problems. kids ask the first day...i tell them i got hurt and move on. it's definitely easy since all school are required to be accessible.

ok after reading these posts none have what i have i hope you have a lot of confidence to do the job but in my experience/injury level its not possible,obviously at your level you maybe don't have the embarrasing problem i do,wish you every success

I'm a youth worker, running youth clubs and going out on detached work. think it would be a brill idea to be a teacher,

Hi, I'm a T4 complete and I teach Physical Education. At the moment I'm only supply teaching as I have sport commitments, but will get back to full time education when I stop competing. No reason you shouldn't go for it. Kids will only mess you around if you are weak teacher, nothing to do with whether you are in a chair. I set my stall out and come down hard on anyone who oversteps the mark and being consistent with that approach also helps, as does a huge helping of humour! Go for it. Teaching is one of the most rewarding careers and I love it.

Cheers
Talan

I'm a T6-7 Complete. This is my 9th year teaching at the High School Level. I havn't had any issues with the kids disrespecting me or making fun of my disability. I just tell them on the first day what my deal is and they are pretty cool with it. In terms of teaching, it has changed quite a bit since I went to school, with powerpoints and smartboards and other technologies...it isn't just chalkboards and worksheets anymore...which is good. But there is no reason why you can't be an effective teacher.


Tom