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What is an exceptional children's teacher and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Diana Jones

Exceptional children's teachers are responsible for modifying the general education curriculum for special-needs students. This is dependent on various instructional techniques and instructional technology. They establish and enforce rules for maintaining order among students. They develop and implement strategies to cater to the needs of exceptional children. Besides that, they use various special educational strategies and techniques to aid instruction and improve the development of the children. Also, they maintain student records and prepare reports as required. Additionally, they prepare materials for class activities.

Employers seek applicants with at least a bachelor's degree in special education. Applicants must possess a valid state special education certificate and must have proven experience in a similar role. You must have interpersonal, communication, and listening skills. Also, you must know about current special education topics and methodologies. Exceptional children's teachers make an average salary of $49,017 annually. This ranges from $38,000 to $63,000.

What general advice would you give to an exceptional children's teacher?

Dr. Diana JonesDr. Diana Jones LinkedIn profile

Chair, Department of Kinesiology, Anderson University

General advice: I would encourage graduates to find a mentor who can guide them in their careers, stay on top of the latest technology, not be too hard on themselves, be flexible, be team players, be present, and care about their students.
ScoreExceptional Children's TeacherUS Average
Salary
3.6

Avg. Salary $46,317

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.6

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.7
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.52%

Asian 3.66%

Black or African American 9.80%

Hispanic or Latino 12.62%

Unknown 3.91%

White 69.49%

Gender

female 78.81%

male 21.19%

Age - 42
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42
Stress level
7.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.5

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.3

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Exceptional children's teacher career paths

Key steps to become an exceptional children's teacher

  1. Explore exceptional children's teacher education requirements

    Most common exceptional children's teacher degrees

    Bachelor's

    68.5 %

    Master's

    22.8 %

    Associate

    5.1 %
  2. Start to develop specific exceptional children's teacher skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Classroom Management10.58%
    Social Work9.90%
    Student Learning6.91%
    Mathematics6.04%
    Student Education5.54%
  3. Research exceptional children's teacher duties and responsibilities

    • Manage student behavior and administer discipline, including intervening in crises and physically restraining students as necessary according to IEP.
    • Develop inclusion program in grade 4 and co-taught 4th and 6th grade math and reading in inclusion format.
    • Plan and co-taught with individual teachers as needed.
    • Self-Contain autism academy, teacher in resource setting, and teacher for kindergarten
  4. Prepare your exceptional children's teacher resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your exceptional children's teacher resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an exceptional children's teacher resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable exceptional children's teacher resume templates

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    Exceptional Children's Teacher Resume
    Exceptional Children's Teacher Resume
    Exceptional Children's Teacher Resume
    Exceptional Children's Teacher Resume
    Exceptional Children's Teacher Resume
    Exceptional Children's Teacher Resume
  5. Apply for exceptional children's teacher jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an exceptional children's teacher job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first exceptional children's teacher job

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Average exceptional children's teacher salary

The average exceptional children's teacher salary in the United States is $46,317 per year or $22 per hour. Exceptional children's teacher salaries range between $35,000 and $61,000 per year.

Average exceptional children's teacher salary
$46,317 Yearly
$22.27 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do exceptional children's teachers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

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2 stars

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Exceptional children's teacher reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2023
Pros

The kids light up my days.

Cons

The demand and low pay. Teachers have families, too.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2022
Pros

You got to work with learners who will love you unconditionally. It gives a great satisfaction to be able to help them. I love learners with Special Needs and I am a Mom of one.

Cons

I can't say, maybe because there is none.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2022
Pros

Kids, teaching lessons, co-teachers, hours, weekends off, salary, holidays off, summers off, paid sick and personal days

Cons

Administration, observations, being told what to teach and HOW to teach it, expecting us to participate in things we might not want to or have the time for, staff meetings with no substance


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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