Should a Special Needs Parent Become a Special Education Teacher?

I've been ruminating my return to the workforce for the past few months, and have made a decision--I will be returning to work, but not in the same capacity. After taking required coursework necessary to supplement my degree, I plan to teach.

I've been substitute teaching in our public school district since November, giving me an opportunity to "try on" grade levels and subjects. Because of my experiences with Bob (my son diagnosed with bipolar disorder and ADHD), I've been told I should teach special ed. I've been told I'd be great with special ed.

I just don't think I want to teach special ed.

I've subbed in an elementary special ed classroom, and in mainstream elementary classrooms with one or more "difficult" students. Obviously, the sub experience is vastly different from the "real" teacher's--it's rare for any child to bond with an adult in one day, much less a special needs child. Of course, I do what I can in my limited time, and try to be a positive influence on those children's days.

It's true I have "a way" with many of them. Ten years with Bob will either leave you babbling incoherently in your basement, or will give you patience you never thought possible--fortunately, I'm graced with the patience most of the time. Where other subs and even tenured teachers get flustered, angry, or annoyed, I am able to continue reciting my expectations of a child like a drone. I may not know anything about a child other than his name, but I'm pretty good at knowing what will and won't work in terms of getting them to participate either with me or with the class. (There are exceptions--like the 3rd grader who had NO intention of listening to a word I said--but I at least knew to leave her alone rather than make an issue of it.)

At the risk of tooting my own horn, I'm also pretty good at figuring out what "special needs" a special needs kid has. At the less-than-perfect IEP meeting I had with Bob's team this month, his teacher applauded the notebook I created for him--a 3-ring binder with tabbed pocket dividers for homework, "notes home," and behavior charts, with a "What To Bring Home" checklist on the front cover--when I determined he would never be able to manage the three or four 1-subject paper folders system the schools use. And the counselor and special ed coordinators asked me to outline it for them to use with other students. (Honestly? I find the multi-folder system ridiculous and don't understand the purpose for it. I always thought the Trapper Keeper, expressly forbidden on the school supply list, was the best thing since sliced bread.)

So...why do I find myself turning down special ed substitute jobs lately? And why am I hesitant to devote myself to that specialty full-time?

--My secret reason why I don't want to become a special ed teacher in part 2.