Competencies, Resilience, Opportunities, Challenges and Coping Mechanisms of Special Education Teachers Teaching Learners With Special Needs

The study aimed to assess the competencies, resilience, opportunities, challenges, and coping mechanisms of Special Education (SPED) teachers in Roxas City, Capiz, during 2022-2023. The research involved 58 teachers, employing a combination of quantitative and qualitative techniques, as well as in-depth interviews. The results showed that the perceived competencies, resilience, and opportunities of SPED teachers were high. However, there was no significant relationship between competencies, civil status, and specialization. There was also no significant relationship between opportunities, civil status, and specialization. The study identified challenges related to learners, curriculum, instruction, and parental involvement. Coping mechanisms included maintaining passion, maintaining a positive outlook, seeking social support, conducting root cause analysis, pursuing professional growth, taking breaks, and planning. An action plan was formulated to address these issues. The findings suggest that SPED teachers face various challenges in their teaching and learning experiences.