By Dr. Tiffanie ThrBak
“To be, or not to be: That is the question.” For those who choose the calling of special education, the answer is not found in words, but in the heart.
The art and heart of special education
Teaching students with exceptionalities is both an art and a science. It requires creativity, adaptability and boundless empathy. Special education teachers are masters of modification and scaffolding. We design lessons that meet students where they are academically, socially and emotionally.
On any given day, we assess student needs, develop individualized education programs (IEPs), collaborate with parents and general education teachers and create instruction tailored to each learner’s abilities. We teach not just content, but confidence.
To be a special educator is to see potential and possibility where others see deficits and limits.
The challenges we face
To be a special educator is also to navigate unique challenges. Collaboration is essential, but not always easy. Some general education teachers and students can be impatient or indifferent when the special education teacher and their students join mainstream classrooms.
These moments test our resilience. Yet patience is our greatest gift.
We manage behaviors, teach life skills and advocate fiercely for equity in classrooms that sometimes misunderstand our mission. But even through the frustration, we persist because our students deserve champions.
The rewards of the calling
Despite the obstacles, the rewards of being a special education teacher are unmatched. We witness transformation when students learn to speak up, read fluently or express joy through newfound skills. Each milestone is monumental.
Our role extends far beyond academics. We nurture social and emotional growth, teach self-regulation and prepare students for transitions after school—whether to continued education, employment, or independent living.
Every breakthrough, no matter how small, is a victory worth celebrating.
The need for more special educators
Fewer aspiring educators are choosing this rewarding path. Increasing certification requirements and challenging coursework are discouraging many from pursuing special education degrees.
This shortage is deeply concerning. The world needs more patient, skilled and compassionate teachers who see ability, not disability. To be a special educator is to accept one of the most demanding yet profoundly fulfilling careers in education.
My journey: from determination to dedication
Growing up in Cumberland County—New Jersey’s poorest county, with one of the highest teen pregnancy rates—I faced statistics that could have defined my destiny. Instead, I let them fuel my determination. As a teenage mother, I learned that success is not determined by circumstance, but by perseverance and support.
I tell my students: don’t dare fit into a mold that someone puts you in. If you can conceive it, believe it, then do your darndest to achieve it. My “why” is to make every student feel seen, supported and celebrated.
The ripple effect of purpose
Teaching students with exceptionalities means teaching the world about empathy. My classroom is more than a learning space, it’s a safe haven where growth and acceptance flourish.
Each child I teach becomes a seed of change, carrying forward lessons of compassion into their homes, schools and communities.
“To be or not to be” a special education teacher is not just a question— it’s a choice to change lives.
And that, truly, is the art of being.
Dr. Tiffanie ThrBak, the 2025-26 Cumberland County Teacher of the Year, is a special education teacher with more than three decades of experience serving students who have experienced trauma and those with exceptionalities. She can be reached at tthrbak@njea.org.