Job description

Special education teachers instruct and mentor students of all ages who have mental, physical or learning disabilities. These professionals accommodate general education lessons according to a student’s needs and develop and implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). They work with students in a class, in small groups or one-to-one, providing lessons and activities that help students develop academically, socially and personally.

Duties

    • Teach and mentor students with mental, physical or learning disabilities
    • Evaluate student's skills and educational needs
    • Adjust and accommodate education lessons according to student’s needs
    • Develop and implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
    • Update IEPs according to student’s progress
    • Provide lessons and activities that help students develop academically, socially and personally
    • Keep track and records of student’s performance and progress
    • Report student’s performance and progress to parents or carers
    • Oversee teaching assistants working with students with disabilities
    • Grade student’s papers
    • Plan lessons and curriculum
    • Use assistive technology tools, like Braille writers

Skills, qualities and knowledge

Friendliness
Compassion
Interpersonal
Communication
Listening
Instructional
Leadership
Patience
Organisational
Resourceful

Working hours and environment

Average working hours

40hweek

Typical schedule

Full Time

Standard school hours

Special education teachers work in school classrooms, resource centres, hospitals or students’ homes. They may also work outdoors during times of play.

While helping students develop academically can be extremely rewarding, the job can also be stressful and emotionally draining.

Salary

Bottom 10%

$40k

Median

$60k

Top 10%

$97k

Annual salary estimates are based on percentile wage data collected through the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey of US workers.

Qualifications and training

Education level

Undergraduate

DVM / VMD degree

Study time

4years

Both public and private schools require that special education teachers have a bachelor’s degree preferably in special education, although some schools will accept applicants with a degree in in elementary education or a specialised area, like English or maths.

That said, you will need to pursue at least a minor in special education. Some states, meanwhile, require aspiring teachers to complete a master's programme in special education.

All states require licensure or certification in the particular grade level that they teach. Professionals in private schools do not need such licensure.

Those with a bachelor’s degree can gain certification after completing alternative programmes that cover teaching methods and child development.

Job outlook

Projected growth
The projected growth rate of employment in the US from 2018 to 2028, based on data collected through the BLS Employment Projections (EP) programme. The national average growth rate for all professions is 5%.

3%

No of new jobs
The number of jobs projected to become available in the US between 2018 and 2028, based on data collected through the BLS Employment Projections (EP) programme.

13.6k

Automation risk
No data currently available.

N/A

Career progression

With experience, you can become a mentor to less experienced individuals starting out in the same position, or you can progress to a lead teacher role in the schools you work for.

Some special education teachers decide to become school counselors or even school principals.

Sources

Bureau of Labor Statistics