As a special education teacher, you will work with students from preschool to high school, who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities. You will adapt general education lessons and teach various subjects, such as reading, writing, and math, to students with mild and moderate disabilities. You will also teach basic skills, such as literacy and communication techniques, to students with severe disabilities.
As a special education teacher, you will work as part of a team that typically includes general education teachers, counselors, school superintendents, and parents. As a team, you will all help to develop individualized educational programs (IEPs) specific to each student’s needs. IEPs outline goals and services for each student, such as sessions with the school psychologists, counselors, and special education teachers. You will also meet with parents, school administrators, and counselors to discuss updates and changes to the IEPs. With a degree in Human Development and Family Studies, you will have an understanding of diverse individuals, which will strengthen your participation in ensuring the needs of students are being met.
Education and Certification Requirements
All states require special education teachers in public schools to have at least a bachelor’s degree, either in special education or in another area of education with a minor in special education. All states require certification in special education.
In a program leading to a bachelor’s degree in special education, prospective teachers learn about the different types of disabilities and how to present information so that students will understand. These programs typically include fieldwork, such as student teaching. Some states require special education teachers to complete a master’s degree in special education, to become fully certified.
Teachers in private schools do not need to meet state requirements. However, private schools may prefer to hire teachers who have at least a bachelor’s degree in special education.
Pay
The median annual wage for special education teachers was $59,780 in May 2018. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $39,680, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $97,070.
Job Outlook
mployment of special education teachers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations.