Image of profession in special educators’ perception – ways of defining the term „special educator”

The way of perceiving one’s own profession is a factor connected with the effectiveness of undertaken occupational activities and the starting point for afterthoughts on own professional functioning. Forming this perception is an important challenge during special educators preparation. The purpose of the study is to describe how special educators, working with people with intellectual disability, define the term “special educator”. The article presents definitions, created by the study participants, referring directly to the special educator: her/his attributes and occupational preparation.

The way of perceiving one’s own profession is a factor connected with the effectiveness of undertaken occupational activities and the starting point for afterthoughts on own professional functioning. Forming this perception is an important challenge during special educators preparation. The purpose of the study is to describe how special educators, working with people with intellectual disability, define the term “special educator”. The article presents definitions, created by the study participants, referring directly to the special educator: her/his attributes and occupational preparation.