Every day, students are waiting for someone to see their strengths and believe in their potential — beyond test scores
A special education teacher is one of the most meaningful and impactful roles in education today. Then why is it that 80 percent of states identify special education as a shortage area? During our live event on February 5, 2026, we took a deep dive into the barriers that keep aspiring teachers from pursuing special education, true stories that reflect real-time growth in teacher preparation programs and resources that are available to get you started. We gathered the biggest takeaways from the conversations that took place and added them to this page– or you can watch for yourself in the recording!
Meet Dr. Tonetta Killens, Dr. Corey Pierce and Jeremy Davis
Dr. Tonetta Killens
Education Associate for the SC Department of Education
Dr. Tonetta L. Killens is an experienced educator with 22 years of teaching experience across a variety of school settings. She started her path in education as a career changer. Currently, she serves as an Education Associate for the South Carolina Department of Education.
“I have a younger sister who found her way into a classroom. She’s been able to come in through the PACE program into special ed…I get to see it in my everyday life, not just at work, but see how it’s impacting my community. That is so overwhelmingly exciting to see.”
Dr. Corey Pierce
Professor, School of Special Education Co-Director, Center for Innovative Educator Preparation at UNC
Dr. Corey D. Pierce is a first-generation college student who found value in education and discovered its impact through sports and mentors, which inspires him to help others find their paths towards a career in education. Today, he is a professor and Director of the Center for Innovative Educator Preparation at the University of Northern Colorado.
“Something that is a light for me on tough days is when somebody picks a career and they pick that path that makes them think, ‘This is where my heart is and this is where I want to go.’. It’s so impactful.”
Jeremy Davis
Senior Program Manager, Regional Initiatives at TEACH
Jeremy Davis is an experienced education leader and Senior Program Manager at TEACH.org. He brings over a decade of experience, from being a middle school English teacher to academic mentoring at local New Orleans non-profits. Now, he is leading initiatives that strengthen the teacher pipeline across TEACH’s partnered regions.
"As educators, we get to serve in many roles both inside and outside the classroom– even in our communities."
It’s true, special ed can be a challenging career. But it can also be rewarding and transformative. When you get into the classroom, everyone in the room has the same goal– to watch their students be successful. It’s incredibly motivating to have the support of everyone around you. Lean into that community and continue making a change!
The Highlights
Q&A Panel
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Further Reading
Read the ArticleLearn from one of our articles about the five reasons you should teach special education.
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