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Director of special education vs special needs teacher

The differences between directors of special education and special needs teachers 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 $47,334 average annual salary of a special needs teacher.

The top three skills for a director of special education include professional development, autism and education programs. The most important skills for a special needs teacher are autism, behavioral issues, and mathematics.

Director of special education vs special needs teacher overview

Director Of Special EducationSpecial Needs Teacher
Yearly salary$80,520$47,334
Hourly rate$38.71$22.76
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs21,97574,039
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 needs teacher do?

A Special Needs Teacher works with children and young people who need support with their learning because they find it difficult. They evaluate students skills to determine their needs, develop teaching plans, and adapt lessons to meet the needs of students.

Director of special education vs special needs teacher salary

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

Director Of Special EducationSpecial Needs Teacher
Average salary$80,520$47,334
Salary rangeBetween $55,000 And $115,000Between $34,000 And $65,000
Highest paying CitySanta Clara, CABerkeley, CA
Highest paying stateMarylandAlaska
Best paying companyJPMorgan Chase & Co.San Mateo County Office Of Education
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between director of special education and special needs teacher education

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

Director Of Special EducationSpecial Needs Teacher
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 needs teacher demographics

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

Director Of Special EducationSpecial Needs Teacher
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 29.6% Female, 70.4%Male, 20.8% Female, 79.2%
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 needs teacher 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 needs teacher example responsibilities.

  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Work with preschool children with various special needs such as autism, down syndrome, ADHD, cerebral palsy, etc.
  • Tutor elementary school children with learning disabilities, mood disturbances, and ADHD in all school subjects.
  • Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects including English, mathematics, and social studies.
  • Develop individual educational plans (IEP) design to promote educational, physical and social development.
  • Train in CPI and paraprofessional.
  • Show more

Director of special education vs special needs teacher 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 needs teacher skills
  • Autism, 25%
  • Behavioral Issues, 18%
  • Mathematics, 6%
  • Language, 6%
  • Learning Environment, 4%
  • IEPs, 3%

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