A special education teacher is a professional who has received a Master’s degree specializing in the education of special students. A special education teacher assists individuals with disabilities that render them unable to learn or achieve the same levels of success in other students of their age group. In most states, this type of teacher is considered an alternate instructor, which means that he or she is permitted to teach in public schools, but must have earned the equivalent license to teach as a regular teacher.
are many opportunities for those who wish to teach special education students. If you have a bachelor’s degree, you may want to consider being an instructor at a preschool, before you finish your bachelor’s degree program. This will give you the necessary experience to teach elementary and secondary education courses. If you have already completed your bachelor’s degree, you can complete special education classes as an associate’s degree student. There are also opportunities for full-time college instructors.
The requirements for how to become a special education teacher vary from state to state, so you will need to contact your local Board of Education for specific information. Some states require individuals to have worked for at least one year in a position that requires the certification of a bachelor’s degree. For most positions, however, a bachelor’s degree is not required. Most states require individuals to have a bachelor’s degree in either education or science, or be a foreign language speaker with at least a master’s degree in order to apply. Although some states require individualized education programs (CE) credits, most require at least a bachelor’s degree in a subject that is taught in public schools.
The salary of a special education teacher varies greatly, depending on many factors. A primary factor is the level of education you are applying for. While bachelor’s degrees and associate degrees allow you to teach all levels of students, master’s degrees are usually required for teaching high school students. The salary you receive will also depend on whether you are working in a private or public school.
Many special education teachers work within private school systems, helping students who may have special needs. These teachers must demonstrate knowledge of special needs children by taking specialized tests and must be certified through the State Board of Education. Other special education teachers work in public school districts, helping to educate mentally and physically challenged children. Some work in pediatric special education, while others work with deaf or hard-of-hearing children.
Many special education teachers create lesson plans to help students with disabilities to understand the concepts used in the classroom. The National Association of Special Education Teachers and the National Educational Association both provide resources for teachers to use in their classrooms. These organizations help teachers develop lesson plans that help kids learn how to learn. Students with special needs must be taught the same material they are taught in public schools, but often must be taught at a slower pace. These teachers must adapt to the different learning styles of students, which is why it is so important to be well-qualified in order to become a special education teacher.
