Career Definition for Special Education Teachers
Special education teachers instruct students who have various mental and physical disabilities that may impede learning, including hearing and visual impairments, autism and emotional disturbances. By creating an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each student, special education teachers are able to set goals and develop a curriculum tailored to the individuals' abilities and needs. IEPs are developed in conjunction with classroom teachers, support staff, the student and their family. IEPs are legally binding documents and offer the student protection through accommodations and modifications to the curriculum as needed to be successful in an academic setting.
For kindergarten through 12th grade, these teachers are often found in a classroom setting, either working one-on-one with a student enrolled in a general education class or instructing a group in a special resources class. Teachers may also specialize in working with students who have a particular type of disability, such as autism. These teachers may work in a separate setting designed to accommodate more severe disabilities.
Some common job duties for special education teachers include:
- Writing individualized education programs (IEPs)
- Working with academic teachers to implement the IEP
- Acting as a liaison between the school and student's family
- Working with students on academic and executive functioning skills
- Adjusting general education assignments to meet the needs of special education students
| Education | Bachelor's or master's degree in special education |
| Job Duties | Create IEPs; develop tailored curricula; set goals for students |
| Median Salary (2019)* | $60,460 (kindergarten through elementary school special education teachers); $61,710 (high school special education teachers) |
| Job Growth (2019-2029)* | 3% (all special education teachers) |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Special Education Teacher Requirements
Education and Certification Requirements for Special Education Teachers
Every state requires special education teachers to be licensed. The minimum education requirement to be a special education teacher is a bachelor's degree in special education, but some states and employers require special education teachers to have a master's degree. Many states also offer an alternative licensing program for candidates with a bachelor's degree that's unrelated to teaching. For example, a science teacher with a bachelor's degree in biology may pursue special education licensing by earning a master's degree in special education or completing a training program through their employer.
Common Courses
Course requirements to be a special education teacher can include:
- Applied behavior analysis
- Autism
- Developmental psychology
- Educational psychology
- How to write and IEP
- Learning disabilities
- Public policy in special education
- Severe disabilities
- Socioemotional issues
- Teaching strategies
Most special education teachers are first licensed in general education for kindergarten through grade 12 before obtaining special education teaching certification. Employers may require further certification in specialized fields, such as teaching students with autism, hearing impairments or visual impairments. All educators must keep their license current according to state requirements. This usually involves actively teaching as well as pursuing continuing education credits through coursework or professional development.
Special education teachers may obtain additional board certification through professional organizations, including the American Academy of Special Education Professionals (www.aasep.org).
Skills Required to Be a Special Education Teacher
Special education teachers must have excellent communication skills so that they can interact with students, parents and educators. They must be able to work with students in both one-on-one and group settings, while understanding the abilities and needs of each child. They must also be able to work with general education teachers to ensure proper implementation of the IEP and confirm that accommodations for the student are being met. Special education teachers are also required to hold annual review meetings to review the IEP with the student, teachers and family. Special education teaching requirements include excellent interpersonal and communication skills as well as empathy and understanding.
Another requirement to be a special education teacher is good computer skills for detailed record-keeping of each student's progress and familiarity with assistive technology devices used in the classroom. IEPs are legally binding and records are used to document compliance and student achievement. Most importantly, special education teachers must be encouraging, creative and flexible, with the ability to motivate students and inspire the confidence needed to attempt new tasks.
Economic Outlook and Financial Forecast
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicted a 3% growth in jobs for special education teachers in general from 2019-2029, which is about average. However, a faster-than-average growth of 8% in employment for special education preschool teachers is forecast for that same decade. The BLS reported in 2019 that the median annual salary for special education teachers at the kindergarten and elementary school levels was $60,460, with the highest-paid 10% earning more than $97,210. In that same year, median annual earnings for special education teachers at the secondary school level were slightly higher, at $61,710. The top-paid 10% of these teachers made $98,890 per year.
Alternate Career Options
Similar career options in this field include recreational therapist and occupational therapist.
Recreational Therapist
Normally, after earning a bachelor's degree in recreational therapy or a similar field, these therapists work with people who have physical, emotional and cognitive disabilities. They assess clients, create treatment plans and implement programs that use recreational activities such as music, games and sports in therapeutic ways. Recreational therapists earned an annual median salary of $48,220 in 2019, according to the BLS; a fast-as-average employment increase of 8% was projected for the 2019-2029 decade.
Occupational Therapist
Requiring at least a master's degree, jobs in this profession involve treating disabled or injured individuals through the use of everyday activities as therapy. The BLS anticipates a much-faster-than-average increase in jobs of 16% from 2019-2029; occupational therapists earned an annual median wage of $84,950 as of 2019.
FAQ
- What are the benefits to being a special education teacher? Special education teachers are paid well and have good job security. They are an important part of the school community and are able to develop close bonds with students and their families.
- What are the education requirements for special education teachers? Special education teachers must have at least a bachelor's degree, but many pursue a master's degree in teaching with a focus on special education.
- What are other special ed teacher requirements? Special education teachers must be licensed in special education and keep their licensure current with continuing education credits.
- Are special education teachers employed by private schools? Special education teachers can be employed by both public and private schools, although more jobs are available in the public sector. Additionally, public school teachers tend to make more money on average compared to private school teachers.
- What challenges do special education teachers encounter that mainstream classroom teachers typically don't face in the course of their work? Special education teachers need to be prepared to be patient, as it can be challenging to work with students with disabilities. They should also be empathetic and able to see the situation from different perspectives and come up with creative solutions that allow students to access the curriculum.
