What Does a Special Education Teacher Do? | Special Ed Teacher Job Description

Before you jump in to earn your bachelor's degree in special education, you might want to understand what special education teachers do. These teachers work with students with various special needs, including developmental delays, learning disabilities, and emotional and behavioral disorders.

Job duties for special education teachers vary but mostly aim to help support their students. Keep reading to learn more about what special education teachers do.

What Is the Role of a Special Education Teacher?

Special education teachers are specifically trained to work with students with special needs. They work in educational settings, typically schools, to help their students succeed. Below, we've broken down some of the core job duties of special education teachers.

Develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)

An Individualized Education Program, also referred to as an Individual Education Plan, is a legal document that outlines the accommodations that a student with special needs is entitled to within the school. Every IEP is different based on each specific student's needs.

IEPs are developed by an IEP team, which includes the student (if they can participate), their parents or guardians, their teachers, and other members of school personnel, such as the school nurse or the principal. Teachers are a key part of this team because they see the effects of an IEP first-hand and can provide valuable feedback on what's working and what isn't.

Provide Tailored Instruction

When a teacher tailors their instruction to a student, they adjust the lesson plans and activities to that student's learning style. It's done to accommodate the child's unique needs and to ensure they have access to the curriculum.

The specific way teachers tailor a program depends on the student and their particular learning disabilities. A simple example could be a student who struggles to pay attention but performs better with a more interactive lesson plan, instead of a lecture.

Classroom Management and Behavior Support

Classroom management can be difficult in a special education classroom. You may have students with mild to severe disabilities and a range of learning needs to accommodate. It can be especially challenging if you have students who struggle to communicate or have difficulty regulating their emotions.

As a special education teacher, you'll need to know different strategies and interventions that meet the needs of students, while still keeping them safe and ensuring that they get the education they deserve. You'll learn some of these strategies in your special education degree program or through special development, but you'll also adapt as you get to know your students better.

Collaborate with Other Educators and Specialists

As a special education teacher, you'll need to collaborate with many other educators and specialists. This may include:

• general education teachers
• other special education teachers
• paraprofessionals
• school administrators
• school nurses
• occupational therapists
• social workers
• speech therapists

This collaboration is a requirement, but it can also be helpful. Feedback from instructors and specialists can help you learn how to adapt your teaching methods and provide special needs learners with the tools they need to succeed.

Assess and Monitor Student Progress

A core responsibility of special education teachers is to assess their student's needs and monitor their progress throughout the school year. This tells teachers not only what special education services that student needs, but helps them track what strategies and methods are working.

Teachers usually do an initial assessment at the beginning of the year. Throughout the year they'll complete additional assessments to monitor how well students are developing their life skills and understanding their lessons.

Support Social and Emotional Development

Special education programs often focus not just on helping students with their education, but also with their social and emotional development. Students with autism spectrum disorder, for example, may struggle with connecting socially with other students, while those with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) may struggle with their emotional control.

As you complete your special education teacher preparation program, you'll learn strategies and methods for supporting students with various special needs. While working as a school teacher, you'll get to know your students and understand how to support them.

Advocate for Students with Special Needs

Teachers aren't just responsible for teaching students, they're also some of the strongest advocates that students have. This is true for all teachers, not just special education teachers.

However, special education teachers often work with students who have difficulties advocating for themselves. Special education teachers need to be able to push to get their students the help and resources that they need, whether it's some form of assisted technology or an overhaul of their IEP.

Manage Documentation and Legal Responsibilities

All teachers must know and follow educational laws; however, special education teachers need to be up-to-date on additional laws that affect their students (e.g., the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). These laws are in place to protect special education students.

Additionally, there is often a lot of documentation involved to ensure that laws are being properly followed. Your school district will review the legal responsibilities you should follow as you teach special education.

FAQs About Special Education Teachers

Those interested in working with students with disabilities often have questions about the role. Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about special education teachers.

Is Being a Special Education Teacher Stressful?

Teaching, even in a general education classroom, can be stressful. Special education teachers may feel more stress as their students may have a harder time communicating or controlling their emotions.

Whether the job is considered stressful will depend on personal strengths and weaknesses, the grade level you teach, the severity of the student's learning and physical disabilities, and the support you have as a teacher.

Are Special Education Teachers Happy?

Teaching special education can be an incredibly rewarding career, as you have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of special needs children and their families. Happiness and career satisfaction depend on several factors, but according to CareerExplorer, most special education teachers report being happy with their jobs.

What Qualifications Are Required To Become a Special Education Teacher?

All states require public school teachers to hold a teaching license; requirements for private school teachers vary by state. To earn a school license, you'll generally need to:

• complete a bachelor's degree in special education
• complete a teacher preparation program approved by your state; most bachelor's degrees in teaching double as teacher preparation programs
• complete student teaching experiences
• pass the required teaching exams for the grade level you want to teach (i.e., elementary education or secondary education)
• pass a background check

Once you have your teaching license, you must complete professional development to keep your license current. Some teachers also choose to continue to earn a master's degree.

Find the Right Degree Path Today

If you're ready to start your journey as a special education teacher, explore various accredited degree programs on Learn.org. Reach out to the schools that offer these programs today to learn more about special education degrees.