Career Options
Special education teachers in preschools, elementary schools, middle schools and high schools work with students who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional and physical disabilities. They adapt general education lessons and teach a wide range of subjects.
Preschool Special Education Teacher
Preschool special education teachers teach preschool subjects to students with physical and/or intellectual disabilities. They may also be tasked with identifying students with disabilities who would benefit from a special education setting.
Elementary School Special Education Teacher
Elementary school special education teachers work with students who face developmental, physical and emotional challenges. Special education teachers who work with primary school students may have the added responsibility of identifying possible special-needs students.
Middle School Special Education Teacher
Middle school special education teachers teach preschool subjects to students with physical and/or intellectual disabilities, including academic and life skills. Some teachers may specialize and work with students who have hearing and vision impairments.
High School Special Education Teacher
Special education teachers who work in secondary school environments focus less on identifying students who require individualized attention and more on preparing students for a smooth transition into the adult world. Some teachers continue working with a student until he or she turns 21.
What is a Degree in General Special Education?
While there are degree programs at undergraduate and graduate levels, general special education teachers often need to undertake additional training and educational hours than other teachers. Students in these programs take courses in subjects such as literacy, behavioral disabilities and individualized program development. Some bachelor's degree programs require an additional year of graduate-level education.
The coursework in a general special education program typically covers human development, educational assessment and behavioral issues. Students learn about various emotional, physical and behavioral disabilities and how to teach children with these special needs. Extensive time is spent practice teaching in real classrooms under the supervision of experienced teachers.
Certification Information
Every state requires general special education teachers to earn certification or licensure. Requirements typically include a bachelor's or master's degree from an approved teacher education program, completion of a particular set of education courses and participation in a certain number of hours of practice teaching time. Additionally, aspiring special education teachers must pass an examination. In some states, teachers must first receive a general teaching license and then continue training to earn licensure as a special education teacher.
Career Information
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), all special education teachers are likely to see job opportunities increase by six percent between 2012 and 2022 (www.bls.gov). This growth is not expected to be the same across age levels, however; special education student enrollment is projected to be higher in elementary and middle schools, making anticipated job growth more pronounced for teachers of these age groups. As of May 2013, elementary school special education teachers made an average annual salary of $56,690, while those teaching middle school earned a yearly average of $59,540. High school special education teachers at that time averaged $60,410 per year, reported the BLS.
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