Special Education Teacher
Special education teachers are dedicated professionals who address the unique educational needs of students with various disabilities, including physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral challenges. They play a crucial role in developing and implementing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) tailored to each student's requirements, often collaborating with families and other educators. These teachers may work in inclusive classrooms where students with and without disabilities learn together or in specialized settings focused on specific needs, such as autism or visual impairments.
The job demands a range of skills, including patience, creativity, and strong communication abilities, as special education teachers are responsible for modifying lesson plans, teaching essential life skills, and fostering a supportive learning environment. They typically hold a bachelor's degree in education with a focus on special education, and they are expected to engage in ongoing professional development to stay updated on best practices and legal requirements, such as those outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
In addition to classroom teaching, special education teachers must maintain accurate records and communicate regularly with families regarding student progress. Their work environments can vary, but they often collaborate with a diverse team of professionals, including social workers and therapists, to ensure holistic support for their students. Overall, special education teachers are vital in promoting inclusive education and advocating for the rights and needs of students with disabilities.
Special Education Teacher
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Education & Training, Human Services
Interests: Teaching, education, preparing lessons, child development, student care, psychology
Earnings (Yearly Median): $65,910 per year (2023)
Employment & Outlook: 0% (Little or no change)
Entry-Level Education Bachelor's degree
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training None
Overview
Sphere of Work. Special education teachers are teaching professionals who focus on the educational needs of students with physical, emotional, cognitive, or behavioral special needs. Special education teachers may be generalists with knowledge and talents in various subjects and special needs. Alternatively, they may have an academic specialization and training with speech impairment, hearing problems, language delays, intellectual disabilities, seizures, orthopedic impairment, visual impairments, autism, traumatic brain injuries, or learning disabilities. Special education teachers help to develop and provide individualized education plans (IEPs) for every child in the public school system with documented special needs.
Work Environment. Special education teachers work in schools designed to meet mainstream and special-needs children's social and educational needs. They work at all grade levels in both public and private school settings. Some special education teachers work in separate special-needs classrooms focusing on one age level or type of particular need, such as autism or physical disabilities. Others work in integrated special-needs classrooms with students of many ages and special needs. Still, others work in classrooms that have integrated mainstream and special-needs students working alongside one another. Classrooms have different types and amounts of resources, such as art supplies, music lessons, and physical education facilities. The resources available depend on the financial resources of the school and district, as well as the educational philosophy directing the curriculum.
Occupation Interest. Individuals drawn to special education tend to be intelligent, resourceful, creative, patient, and caring. Special education teachers should enjoy spending long hours interacting with and instructing children. They should be physically fit, able to move, lift, and carry students with physical disabilities and physically redirect students with behavioral or emotional problems. Successful special education teachers excel at communication and problem-solving.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. A special education teacher’s daily duties and responsibilities include planning, teaching, classroom preparation, student care, family outreach, school duties, and professional development.
Special education teachers prepare and teach lessons, modify the mainstream curriculum for students with special needs, and buy or secure donations for classroom or project supplies. They assign homework and projects, teach good study habits and life skills, grade student work, provide students with special-needs accommodations (such as extra test time and homework modification), and maintain accurate academic and behavioral records for all students.
Classroom preparation and cleaning may include labeling materials, organizing desks and work areas, displaying student work on bulletin boards and display boards, and, depending on janitorial support, cleaning up and sanitizing at the end of the school day.
Special education teachers greet students as they arrive in the classroom, engage in student behavior modification and redirection, and promote a supportive learning environment. They also maintain student safety and health, provide appropriate levels of discipline in the classroom and school environment, build student cooperation and listening skills, and work to present lessons in multiple ways to accommodate diverse learning styles.
Some special education teachers may greet students’ families at drop-off and dismissal times and use a student school-family communication notebook. All teachers must communicate regularly with families about student health, experience, and performance.
Special education teachers attend staff meetings and meetings with families and social workers. They lead IEP development and review meetings and coordinate special education and mainstream classrooms. They also enforce school policies and participate in peer mentoring. Their professional development duties include attending meetings, continuing training, and recertifying as needed.
Special education teachers work daily to meet the needs of all students, families, fellow teachers, and school administrators. All special education teachers must adhere to the educational standards and rights described in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Teachers of the Mentally Impaired (094.227-022). Teachers of the mentally impaired teach social skills and basic academic subjects in schools, hospitals, and other institutions to mentally impaired students.
Teachers of the Hearing Impaired (094.224-010). Teachers of the hearing-impaired teach elementary-and secondary-school subjects and special skills to deaf or hard-of-hearing students using lip reading, manual communication, or total communication.
Teachers of the Visually Impaired (094.224-018). Teachers of the visually impaired teach elementary-and secondary-school subjects to visually impaired and blind students using large-print materials and/or the braille system.
Teachers of the Emotionally Impaired (094.227-010). Teachers of the emotionally impaired teach elementary-and secondary-school subjects, including education on socially acceptable behavior, to students with emotional impairments.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. A special education teacher works primarily in the classroom. Special education teachers may have the autonomy and responsibility to modify the classroom layout and curriculum to meet their students' academic and social needs. They generally work forty-hour weeks and follow an annual academic schedule with ample winter, spring, and summer vacations. Summer teaching opportunities in summer school and camps are common.
Human Environment. Special education teachers are in constant contact with students with physical, cognitive, or emotional challenges, as well as with families, social workers, therapists, school administrators, and fellow teachers. They must be comfortable working with people from a wide range of backgrounds and able to incorporate lessons on diversity and differences into their teaching.
Technological Environment. Special education teachers use a wide variety of adaptive and instructional technologies, such as touch screens and communication devices. Special education teachers should be comfortable using internet communication tools and teaching students to use educational software. They also often help students to use and care for adaptive technologies such as wheelchairs, orthotics, hearing and feeding aids, and dressing aids.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students interested in becoming special education teachers should develop good study habits. Interested high school students should take a broad range of courses in education, anatomy, psychology, child development, science, math, history, language arts, physical education, and the arts. Those interested in the field of education may benefit from internships or part-time work with special needs children at camps and afterschool programs.
Postsecondary. College students interested in special education should consider majoring in education and earning initial teaching certification as part of their undergraduate education program. Aspiring teachers should complete coursework in education, child development, and psychology. Before graduation, interested college students should gain teaching experience with children with special needs through internships, volunteer work, or employment. They should also research master’s of education programs and state teaching certification requirements.
Related Occupations
− Career and Technical Education Teacher
− Secondary and Middle School Teacher
− Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Bibliography
"Special Education Teachers." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 29 Aug. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/special-education-teachers.htm. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.