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Director of special education vs special educator

The differences between directors of special education and special educators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a director of special education has an average salary of $80,520, which is higher than the $53,565 average annual salary of a special educator.

The top three skills for a director of special education include professional development, autism and education programs. The most important skills for a special educator are autism, student learning, and math.

Director of special education vs special educator overview

Director Of Special EducationSpecial Educator
Yearly salary$80,520$53,565
Hourly rate$38.71$25.75
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs21,97562,545
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4343
Years of experience--

What does a director of special education do?

A Director Of Special Education plans, implements, and maintains special education programs and services. They also consult with parents of students enrolled in the program.

What does a special educator do?

A special education teacher's role is to facilitate learning for students with disabilities. The responsibilities of a special education teacher typically revolve around identifying the needs of students, devising lesson plans and strategies to meet their needs, developing test structure to assess their learning, and assisting them in areas of difficulties. It is also essential to coordinate with families and guardians, reporting to them should there be any problems. Furthermore, as a special education teacher, it is necessary to monitor the students' progress and behavior, maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment for them.

Director of special education vs special educator salary

Directors of special education and special educators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Director Of Special EducationSpecial Educator
Average salary$80,520$53,565
Salary rangeBetween $55,000 And $115,000Between $38,000 And $75,000
Highest paying CitySanta Clara, CAOceanside, NY
Highest paying stateMarylandNew York
Best paying companyJPMorgan Chase & Co.Capistrano Unified
Best paying industryEducationGovernment

Differences between director of special education and special educator education

There are a few differences between a director of special education and a special educator in terms of educational background:

Director Of Special EducationSpecial Educator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorSpecial EducationSpecial Education
Most common collegeColumbia University in the City of New YorkNorthwestern University

Director of special education vs special educator demographics

Here are the differences between directors of special education' and special educators' demographics:

Director Of Special EducationSpecial Educator
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 29.6% Female, 70.4%Male, 21.3% Female, 78.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 3.6% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 3.6% White, 71.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between director of special education and special educator duties and responsibilities

Director of special education example responsibilities.

  • Manage all office procedures including successfully meeting DCFS visits and requirements.
  • Provide oversight of fiduciary hold, non-publicly trade assets within the bank's wealth management department.
  • Integrate a customer relationship management application for improve tracking and communication for all study abroad relate students and activities.
  • Integrate a customer relationship management application for improve tracking and communication for all study abroad relate students and activities.

Special educator example responsibilities.

  • Lead the data team with interpreting results, including NWEA and other benchmark assessments.
  • Develop individual lesson plans at Pre-K level.
  • Work collaboratively with teachers in mathematics and writing.
  • Counsele and provide special education to senior kindergarten students.
  • Implement an individualize curriculum for a kindergarten student with a moderate cognitive impairment.
  • Develop interactive computer lessons to enhance science and math curriculum and student engagement utilizing technology.
  • Show more

Director of special education vs special educator skills

Common director of special education skills
  • Professional Development, 13%
  • Autism, 10%
  • Education Programs, 6%
  • Behavior Management, 6%
  • K-12, 5%
  • IEPs, 5%
Common special educator skills
  • Autism, 9%
  • Student Learning, 8%
  • Math, 7%
  • Public Schools, 7%
  • Learning Environment, 6%
  • Mathematics, 6%

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