What does an elementary special education teacher do?
Elementary Special Education teachers work with students who have various learning, physical, and emotional disabilities. Their day-to-day duties typically include assisting in the development of individualized education programs for these students, updating the parents about the progress of their children, and planning lessons. They are responsible for planning, organizing, and assigning activities to the students, grading tests and assignments, and teaching and mentoring students in small groups or one-on-one. Elementary Special Education Teachers are also responsible for supervising and mentoring teaching assistants.
Elementary special education teacher responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real elementary special education teacher resumes:
- Lead the data team with interpreting results, including NWEA and other benchmark assessments.
- Implement on site ABE, GED, ESL and parenting classes.
- Diversify instruction for gift students in mathematics *.
- Design various learning centers involving listening, sequencing, reading, writing and mathematics.
- Work with students who meet the criteria for learning disable in math, reading, and written expression.
- Spearhead the district-wide technology-base supplemental math program.
- Collaborate with speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists and other professionals to develop and implement IFSP goals.
- Lead the data team with interpreting results, including NWEA and other benchmark assessments.
Elementary special education teacher skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Elementary Special Education Teachers are proficient in Autism, Classroom Environment, and Instructional Materials. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Patience, and Resourcefulness.
We break down the percentage of Elementary Special Education Teachers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Autism, 8%
Create and develop student specific lesson plans through Autism Curriculum Encyclopedia for children with Autism and other special needs.
- Classroom Environment, 7%
Organized and managed a classroom environment that include developmentally appropriate practices.
- Instructional Materials, 6%
Identify needs and make recommendations for appropriate instructional materials and assessments.
- Professional Development, 5%
Attended professional developments to stay abreast of accountability and student performance.
- Math, 5%
Spearheaded the district-wide technology-based supplemental math program.
- IEPs, 5%
Supervised the provision of special education academic services and ensure that Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) were successfully delivered.
"autism," "classroom environment," and "instructional materials" are among the most common skills that elementary special education teachers use at work. You can find even more elementary special education teacher responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for an elementary special education teacher to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "special education teachers need to explain concepts in terms that students with learning disabilities can understand." Additionally, an elementary special education teacher resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "created positive learning environment- built confidence in student learning.skills used-communication skills-organizational skills-effective teaching- effective planning -implementation of lesson plans"
Patience. Many elementary special education teacher duties rely on patience. "special education teachers must be able to stay calm instructing students with disabilities, who may lack basic skills, present behavioral or other challenges, or require repeated efforts to understand material.," so an elementary special education teacher will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways elementary special education teacher responsibilities rely on patience: "demonstrate patience and understanding while providing individualized instruction in a safe, inclusive classroom learning environment for students with significant disabilities. "
Resourcefulness. elementary special education teachers are also known for resourcefulness, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to elementary special education teacher responsibilities, because "special education teachers must develop different ways to present information that meet their students’ needs." An elementary special education teacher resume example shows how resourcefulness is used in the workplace: "showed resourcefulness and teaching effectiveness in meeting the needs of students with limited english language proficiency as well as learning disabilities. "
The three companies that hire the most elementary special education teachers are:
- Edmond Public Schools17 elementary special education teachers jobs
- Jeffrey C Still Middle School
12 elementary special education teachers jobs
- Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES8 elementary special education teachers jobs
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Compare different elementary special education teachers
Elementary special education teacher vs. Teacher associate
A teacher associate is responsible for assisting the teacher in classroom operations and providing teaching support for the students. Teacher associates develop learning materials according to the instructions of the headteachers, helping them to track students' progress and observing class behaviors. They also take class responsibility if the teacher is away, ensuring to keep activity records and attendance for reference. A teacher associate must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in handling students' difficulties and working with the teacher to develop techniques to address those challenges.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between elementary special education teachers and teacher associate. For instance, elementary special education teacher responsibilities require skills such as "autism," "professional development," "ieps," and "student learning." Whereas a teacher associate is skilled in "child care," "cpr," "child development," and "cleanliness." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Teacher associates tend to make the most money working in the health care industry, where they earn an average salary of $32,745. In contrast, elementary special education teachers make the biggest average salary, $56,501, in the education industry.On average, teacher associates reach lower levels of education than elementary special education teachers. Teacher associates are 18.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Elementary special education teacher vs. Teacher
Being a teacher is one of the most passionate professions, among others. Teachers educate, motivate, and guide every generation of learners to prepare them for the real world. Every teacher is unique and has their own teaching styles and methods depending on the subject they teach and the age of their students. Oftentimes they also function as a parent, counselor, coach, friend, and even a lawmaker. There is essentially no limit to the roles a teacher portrays.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real elementary special education teacher resumes. While elementary special education teacher responsibilities can utilize skills like "autism," "ieps," "instructional techniques," and "adaptive," teachers use skills like "esl," "handle scheduling," "cpr," and "curriculum development."
Teachers earn a lower average salary than elementary special education teachers. But teachers earn the highest pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $49,700. Additionally, elementary special education teachers earn the highest salaries in the education with average pay of $56,501 annually.In general, teachers achieve lower levels of education than elementary special education teachers. They're 12.3% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for elementary special education teachers in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Diana Jones
Chair, Department of Kinesiology, Anderson University
Elementary special education teacher vs. Language teacher
Language teachers primarily impart knowledge on multidimensional language through classes and activities. The teachers create conditions and develop activities allowing students to practice what they learned with significance. They immerse students in situational learning roles to write, read, converse, and learn different languages. Also, they are considered instrumental in establishing a supportive and positive learning environment. The teachers are also expected to be communicative and well-versed in the language/s they are teaching to their students.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from elementary special education teacher resumes include skills like "autism," "math," "ieps," and "instructional techniques," whereas a language teacher is more likely to list skills in "mandarin," "learning environment," "esl," and "grammar. "
Language teachers make a very good living in the education industry with an average annual salary of $50,678. On the other hand, elementary special education teachers are paid the highest salary in the education industry, with average annual pay of $56,501.language teachers typically earn similar educational levels compared to elementary special education teachers. Specifically, they're 4.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Elementary special education teacher vs. Resource teacher
A Resource Teacher is responsible for providing curriculum support systems for students, teachers, and administrators. Another role of a Resource Teacher is to assist the class teacher and provide additional support for children with moderate learning difficulties.
Types of elementary special education teacher
Updated January 8, 2025
