Special Education Teacher job description
A Special Education Teacher is an educator who specializes in teaching children with physical, mental, emotional, and learning disabilities. They develop tailored teaching plans, collaborate with parents and support staff, and assess students’ progress to help them achieve important learning milestones.
Use this Special Education Teacher job description sample to advertise relevant job openings at your school or child care service center. Feel free to tailor responsibilities and requirements to your needs.
What is a Special Education Teacher?
A Special Education Teacher educates children who face physical, mental, emotional, and learning disabilities. These teachers work in various settings, such as schools and child care centers.
What does a Special Education Teacher do?
Special Education Teachers develop teaching plans according to students’ learning needs. They search for activities and resources that can be easily adapted to each child’s educational requirements. They also collaborate with school counselors, occupational therapists, psychologists, and parents to help children develop and socialize.
Special Education Teacher job duties include:
- Assessing children’s skills and learning requirements
- Designing Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs)
- Collaborating with parents and school staff to track students’ progress
Hiring a special education teacher? Check the best Special Education Teacher interview questions.
Job brief
We are seeking a dedicated Special Education Teacher to join our team of educators.
In this role, you will be responsible for instructing groups of students with mild to moderate disabilities.
Your primary tasks will involve adapting the existing curriculum in core subjects such as math and writing to accommodate the individual learning needs of each student.
You will create personalized lesson plans tailored to their specific requirements. Additionally, you will collaborate with parents and support staff to address any significant factors that may hinder students’ progress.
Your ultimate goal will be to provide guidance and inspiration to help children achieve important learning milestones.
Responsibilities
- Assess students’ abilities and craft teaching plans
- Adapt learning materials to students’ needs
- Keep track of and reflect on students’ progress
- Monitor children’s behavioral patterns and arrange appropriate interventions if needed
- Find engaging activities to teach skills (e.g. drawing and theater drama)
- Manage classroom crises and resolve conflict
- Prepare students for transition to the next grade
- Inform parents about their children’s performance and potential problems
- Coach/mentor other professionals who work with children with disabilities
- Collaborate with the support staff (e.g. school counselors and speech therapists) to create holistic intervention plans
Requirements and skills
- Proven experience as a Special Education Teacher or relevant role
- Good knowledge of current special education topics and methodologies
- Experience working with children with a wide range of disabilities
- Ability to create IEPs
- A patient, resourceful, and resilient personality
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Valid state special education certificate
- BSc in Special Education; MSc is a plus
Frequently asked questions
- What does a special education teacher do?
- A special education teacher educates children with disabilities, adapting teaching plans to their needs and collaborating with parents and support staff.
- What are the duties and responsibilities of a special education teacher?
- The duties include assessing students' abilities, designing individualized educational plans, monitoring progress, and collaborating with parents and school staff.
- What makes a good special education teacher?
- A good special education teacher is patient, resourceful, and resilient, with excellent interpersonal and communication skills. They have knowledge of special education topics and methodologies.
- Who does a special education teacher work with?
- A special education teacher works with children facing disabilities, their parents, school staff (counselors, therapists), and other professionals in the field.
- What skills should a special education teacher have?
- Key skills include knowledge of special education, ability to create individualized educational plans, experience with diverse disabilities, and effective classroom management and communication skills.