What does a Special Education Teacher do?
Published 4 min read
A Special Education Teacher provides instruction and support to students with disabilities in a variety of settings, including inclusive classrooms, resource rooms, and self-contained classrooms. They collaborate with general education teachers, speech therapists, occupational therapists, and other professionals to develop Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) for students and implement research-based instructional strategies. Special Education Teachers also assess students' progress, keep detailed records, and communicate with parents and guardians.
Special Education Teacher job duties include:
- Develops Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for each student.
- Works with students who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities.
- Teaches academic subjects to students with special needs based on individualized education programs.
- Modifies the general education curriculum for special-needs students as necessary.
- Uses various teaching methods to reach students with different learning styles.
- Assesses students' progress and provides feedback to parents and guardians.
- Keeps up to date on new teaching methods and special education research.
- Collaborates with other teachers, parents, and professionals to develop IEPs.
- Advocates for the rights of special-needs students.
Special Education Teacher Job Requirements
The job requirements for a Special Education Teacher vary by state, but most states require that teachers have at least a bachelor's degree in Special Education. In addition, many states require that teachers be certified in Special Education. Some states also require that teachers have experience working with students with special needs.
Special Education Teacher Skills
- Patience
- Creativity
- Flexibility
- Good communication
- Good organizational skills
- Good behavior management skills
- Good record keeping skills
- Ability to work well with others
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to think outside the box
- Ability to advocate for students
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How to become a Special Education Teacher
There are many paths to becoming a Special Education Teacher. Some people start out as general education teachers and then decide to specialize in special education. Others may have always known they wanted to work with students with special needs. Regardless of how you become interested in the field, there are a few things you will need to do in order to become a Special Education Teacher.
First, you will need to earn a bachelor’s degree in education from an accredited college or university. During your undergraduate studies, you will likely take courses in child development, psychology, and special education. These courses will give you a foundation on which to build your future career. You may also want to consider earning a master’s degree in special education. This advanced degree will allow you to work with more severely disabled students and could lead to higher salaries.
Once you have earned your degree, you will need to obtain a teaching license from your state’s Department of Education. In order to be eligible for a license, you will likely need to pass a series of exams. Once you have obtained your license, you can begin applying for jobs at schools that serve students with special needs.
Working as a Special Education Teacher can be both challenging and rewarding. It is important to remember that every student is different and will require individualized instruction. With patience and creativity, you can help your students reach their full potential.
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