Cultivating And Keeping Committed Special Education Teachers

Billingsley highlights the problems that drive many special educators out of teaching and outlines practical recommendations that leaders can use to increase retention.

Although in special education, as in all education, the teacher makes all the difference, it appears that special education teachers often give up, move on, or fail to seek proper certification. Billingsley (education, Virginia Technical U.) examines the issues behind the startling statistics and suggests ways to improve teacher quality and reduce attrition by understanding why teachers leave and working to make positive changes that will make them stay, finding and cultivating high-quality teachers and developing them across their careers, creating positive work environments through reasonable assignments and support, and developing strategic plans. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Dr. Bonnie S. Billingsley is faculty member in the Department of Teaching and Learning at Virginia Tech. She has taught a range of courses over the last fifteen years in the areas of learning disabilities, emotional disorders, and the administration and supervision of special education. Dr. Billingsley began her career in special education teaching students with disabilities in both Tallahassee and St. Augustine, Florida. She also served as district supervisor of special education in both St. Augustine, Florida and in Roanoke City, Virginia.

Dr. Billingsley's research interests are in the preparation, support, and retention of special education teachers. Her interests in retention are focused on workplace conditions and the induction of new teachers. Dr. Billingsley has published numerous articles in leading journals on special education teacher retention, teacher support, and the needs of beginning special education teachers. She has served as a consultant in the area of special education teacher retention to various professional organizations, school systems, state departments of education, research groups, and universities and has been an invited speaker as various conferences.